Published on 2018-08-14 by
Rogelio Zaraboso
Montecristo, Cohiba, Romeo y Julieta...
Montecristo is the best known and probably the most appreciated brand of Habanos throughout the world. It forms the benchmark for many Habanos smokers against which other brands are judged.
The name comes from the hero of Alexandre Dumas’ famous novel ‘The Count of Montecristo’, which was a firm favourite when read by the Lector to the Torcedores (cigar makers) at the factory where it was founded in 1935.
Cohiba. Somewhere in Havana, days after the October crisis (Missile Crisis), Bienvenido Perez Salazar, Chicho, one of the closest collaborators of Fidel Castro at that time, was enjoying a cigar given to him by a cigar roller friend, while traveling by car to a meeting. The irresistible and exquisite aroma of that cigar forced him to share one with the commander.
The cigar made by Eduardo Rivera Irizarri had conquered the leader of the Cuban Revolution and become his inseparable companion.
One of the first distinguished people, who could enjoy the creations of women rollers, was French President Charles de Gaulle.
Romeo y Julieta Named after William Shakespeare’s tragic lovers, the origins of Romeo y Julieta as a Habano date back to 1875.
The brand rose to international fame during the early years of the 20th Century under the direction of Don ‘Pepin’ Rodríguez, a talented promoter, who was amongst the first to recognise the power of the cigar band. During his hey day no less than 20,000 different bands were used in production.
Winston Churchill became a devotee of the brand. Following his visit to Havana in 1946, his name has not only been commemorated on a band but it has also served to describe the marque’s most famous size – Romeo y Julieta Churchills.
All Habanos of any Cuban brand are made “ Totalmente a Mano con Tripa Larga ” (Totally handmade with Long Filler) with selected leaves from the Vuelta Abajo zone – the best tobacco zone of the world – in the region of Pinar del Río , Cuba. Hope to see you soon! Visit #Cuba. http://www.habanos.com/
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