When it comes to the history of Cuban cigars, the name of Romeo & Juliet carries with it notions of quality, craftsmanship, and tradition. It is regarded among Habanos cigar smokers worldwide as one of the finest cigars in production. While the Cuban cigar version has always been in high demand due to its quality and status, its Dominican cigar version is amongst the most purchased cigars in the United States, available at cigar stores across the country.
The brand formerly began in Cuba in 1875 by two men, Inocencio Alvarez and Manin Garcia. Even in its early years, this Cuban Cigar brand became highly respected and quite popular. It was entered in tasting contests around the world and was awarded several gold medals for the best Cuban cigar. They pay homage to the Dominican cigar today, with the medals present on the cigar band.
Since the turn of the century, the Romeo y Julieta brand is still seen as the first choice for a true Cuban cigar aficionado. They were the favored cigars of the great Winston Churchill. His endorsement of the cigar did so well for the brand, they eventually named a signature size after him, a size that is still their front mark – the Churchill. This was a Cuban cigar for the boutique smoker, the luxury smoker, and the elegant smoker.
All seemed to be going well for the brand until, like many cigar manufacturers, political unrest forever changed its history. Following the Cuban revolution and the nationalization of the cigar industry, the brand was moved to its current location in La Romana, Dominican Republic. There, at the famed Tabacalera de Garcia factory, the ever-so-popular Dominican Romeo is produced. It is without a doubt one of the most popular cigars on the American market and can be found in every brick and mortar store. Cuba still maintains the rights to the Cuban cigar lines and continues to produce them to this day. It still maintains its very established reputation with the Habanos cigar smokers around the world.
The difference between the Cuban and Dominican cigars that carry the Romeo name is simply location. They are both high quality premium cigars that are popular amongst their respected demographics. While the Cuban Cigar stores are not allowed in the US just yet, the Dominican Romeo Y Julieta can be purchased right here at JR Cigars.
Hear from our cigar aficionado and his break down the differences of the two types origins:
When thinking of Cuban cigars, there is one name that pops into the head of all seasoned Habanos cigar smokers. That name is Cohiba Cigars. For half a century they have been among the highest rated and most revered Cuban cigar brands on the market. For being the most popular and well-known Cuban cigar in the world, Cohiba has a quite unique past.
Unlike other Cuban cigar brands such as Romeo y Julieta or Partagas, the start of the Cohiba brand was relatively late. In fact, it is one of the first Cuban cigars created after the Cuban revolution. A local cigar roller was crafting hand-rolled Cuban cigars in his house and selling them to Fidel Castro’s bodyguard. One day he gave one of these premium Cuban cigars to Fidel, who instantly fell in love with the blend. He turned this man’s house into the El Laguito Factory, where Cohiba Cuban Cigars are still made today. For many years the Cohiba Cuban was made only for Fidel Castro and a few close friends who were also Habanos aficionados.
In 1968, the state sponsored Cubatobaco formerly launched the brand onto the world cigar market. Cohiba comes from the ancient Taino word for tobacco. These cigars were to be produced on a limited scale and to be of higher quality than any other Cuban cigar. In the early 1980s, Cuba really made a push to make Cohiba a full production line, making it more readily available in the world’s Cuban cigar stores.
With Cohiba being completely under Cuban control with no immediate copyright or trademark problems, in 1978, the name was taken by General Cigar and registered for distribution in the United States. Calling them the Red Dot Cohibas and using exclusively Dominican tobacco, The Dominican Cohiba brand became immensely popular during the boom of the 1990s and remains a top of the line Dominican cigar even to this day.
The only real difference between the Cuban and Dominican Cohiba cigar is just where the tobacco is rolled. They are both high quality, premium cigars. If you live in the US, there are no Cuban Cigars near you, however, you can go to JR Cigars right now to enjoy the Dominican version of the legendary Cohiba Cigar.
Hear from our cigar aficionado and his break down the differences of the two types origins: