Havana’s iconic cigar factories
Far more than just buildings, Cuban cigar factories are like mirrors of the past. They open the doors to a bygone era, when respect for tradition and craftsmanship was the norm. Today, Cuba has only 8 handmade cigar manufacturing factories left, compared with 120 at the start of the century. True historical monuments, these factories continue to produce some of the most prestigious cigars on the market and attract passionate aficionados from all over the world in their search for authenticity.
Brief history of Cuban factories
The first cigar factories appeared in the late 18th century in Cuba. At the time, those responsible for marketing tobacco realized that pre-rolled cigars withstood transport better than individual tobacco leaves. They therefore decided to develop factories in Cuba in order to improve the quality and output of cigars.
Before that, tobacco leaves grown in Cuban soil were sent to the Spanish royal manufactories to be rolled there. In 1817, King Ferdinand VII of Spain’s decision to allow free trade with Cuba helped accelerate this trend. By 1859, there were no fewer than 1,300 factories in Havana alone.
Historically, all Cuban factories were attached to a particular cigar brand. This system remained unchanged until the 1980s, when Cubatabaco carried out a major overhaul of the industry. The Cuban company in fact standardized many manufacturing processes, allowing factories to produce any cigar from any brand.
Even so, this system proved ineffective at maintaining consistent quality. In 2002, the company therefore reformed the industry once again. All cigars could still be rolled in any factory, but manufacturers now had to choose a "parent factory" responsible for tobacco selection and blending.
The 4 most prestigious cigar factories in Havana
After the Castro Revolution, cigar production factories were nationalized and renamed after emblematic figures of the socialist struggle. Their walls proudly display revolutionary slogans and portraits. Each of these manufactures specialize in particular flavors and produce cigars of several brands. They are also dedicated to the making of specific sizes. Other factories, such as Cabañas y Carbajol, Murias, Farach, Villar&Villar and Henry Clay, were closed following this nationalization.
Partagás (Francisco Perez Germán)
The Partagás factory was built in 1845 at 520 Industria Street in the heart of Havana. An emblematic landmark of the city, this 4-story building stands out for its colonial-style façade and its roofline on which is inscribed “Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagás”.
Closed for renovation in 2011, the factory was relocated to the former El Rey del Mundo factory (Carlos Baliño). The building remained open, however, as it also housed the iconic HABANO & ALMA boutique, also known as the “Partagás Factory.” But in 2020, the collapse of the roof forced the authorities to close it to the public for an indefinite period. The HABANO & ALMA boutique was relocated, and the new Partagás factory is still located at the corner of San Carlos Street and Penalver Street in central Havana. In addition to making Partagás cigars, this factory is the parent house of the brands Bolivar, La Gloria Cubana, Ramón Allones and Quai D’Orsay. It also produces a few Cohiba and Montecristo vitolas. In total, no fewer than 5 million cigars are produced there every year.
Romeo Y Julieta (Briones Montoto)
Inaugurated in 1905, the Romeo Y Julieta factory was located at No. 2A on Belascoaín Street in Havana. At the time, it was one of the largest and most modern factories in Havana, with a floor area of 1,960 m2. It also had 1,000 employees, including 750 torcedors.
Following the wave of nationalization, the factory was moved to 852 on the same street. After this relocation, the historic factory was converted into a residential building to house the local population. It was later demolished after a fire ravaged its roof. Today, only the building’s facade is still visible. The current Romeo Y Julieta factory houses the production of brands such as El Rey del Mundo, Saint Luis Rey, Sancho Panza, Cuaba and Romeo Y Julieta. It has also housed H. Upmann production since 2011 and makes a few Montecristo, Cohiba and Diplomaticos vitolas. A new H. Upmann factory (José Martí) is expected to open soon and house the production of the Montecristo, H. Upmann and Diplomáticos brands.
La Corona (Miguel Fernando Roig)
Before becoming a cigar factory, La Corona was one of the most popular cigar brands of the 20th century. Created by José Cabargas in 1845, it was highly prized by Havana cigar enthusiasts, especially in the United States and the United Kingdom. After the death of its owner, the brand was taken over by Manuel López, who moved production to his cigar factory: La Vencedora.
In 1889, production was once again moved to a new building, the Palacio de Aldama. This sumptuous neoclassical building was renamed La Corona. Along with the La Esceptión and La Meridiana factories, it formed what Cubans called the « Habano Golden Perimeter ».
At the beginning of the 21st century, the American company American Tobacco Company, responsible for managing the brand’s production from 1898 to 1932, began construction of a second factory. This new building was the island’s first steel-and-concrete structure, earning it the nickname « Iron Palace ». Completed in 1904, it was renamed La Corona, just like the Palacio de Aldama. The two factories operated together until the closure of the Palacio de Aldama in 1932. After the Cuban Revolution, the latter was restored and now houses the Cuban Institute of History.
Following the closure of the Palacio de Aldama, part of La Corona’s production was transferred to the United States. The brand was ultimately discontinued for good in 1999, but the factory continued to produce cigars until its closure in 2005. In the 2000s, a new La Corona factory was built at 520 Avenida 20 de Mayo in Havana. It now has 750 employees, including 300 torcedors. It is the mother factory of Hoyo de Monterrey, Cuaba, Punch, San Cristóbal de la Habana, Flor de Cano and Por Larrañaga. It also produces some Montecristo and certain regional editions.
El Laguito
The El Laguito factory is one of the island’s newer cigar factories, but also one of the most famous. Created in 1966 by Fidel Castro, it was established in a former mansion in Cubanacán, in the western suburbs of Havana.
Between 1966 and 1970, the building served as a training center for torcedoras. Founded by one of Fidel Castro’s close collaborators, Célia Sanchez, this school was the first to train women in the profession of torcedor. When it was converted into a cigar factory in 1970, El Laguito thus became the first cigar manufacturer to employ female rollers. Today, the factory still has more female torcedors than men. This example has since become widespread, as today women torcedors account for 75% in Cuban factories, compared with only 35% men.
El Laguito produces exclusively Cohiba and Trinidad cigars. Its manufacturing standards are considered the strictest and highest of all Cuban cigar factories.
As picturesque as they are, Havana’s historic factories no longer meet modern production needs. Many of them have therefore been moved to newer buildings, which incorporate the latest advances in humidity and temperature control, ventilation, lighting, and storage capacity. These new buildings are also more comfortable, ensuring more satisfactory working conditions for their employees.