Havana and cigars are simply inseparable. Until just a few years ago, the city was the fine-smoke Eldorado. In the meantime, it has unfortunately become a little more difficult to find havens for smoking. So it’s good to know where you can go in Cuba’s capital to indulge in your cigar in a nice environment. The following is a list of the best places.
Cuba’s Historic Cigar Factories: Pedro Murias’ La Meridiana
The factory founder’s name is almost entirely unknown today. However, towards the end of the 19th century, Pedro Murias was one of the leading manufacturers of cigars in Havana.
Havana’s Top Ten Places to Smoke Cigars
Havana and cigars are simply inseparable. It’s good to know where you can go in Cuba’s capital to indulge in your cigar in a nice environment. The following is a list of the best places.
H. Upmann Factory: Two Giants under a Roof
The building is enormous, but, because the street is narrow and densely built-up, at first glance it appears humbler than it really is. The factory, located at Calle Amistad No. 407 and 409, between Calle Dragones and Calle Barcelona, is rather nondescript and can be hard to find.
El Panteón: The former La Corona Factory
El pantéon – hall of fame or cemetery – depending on the translation – was what the torcedores called the La Corona factory. Built by the American Tobacco Company, later under the name of Tabacalera Cubana, the factory operated a total of 91 brands.
Once Upon a Time … A Warehouse at Calle San Carlos No. 816
It’s hard to believe that the famous tobacco exporter Mark A. Pollack built this splendid structure located behind the Briones Montoto factory just to store his excellent tobacco. Fully renovated in recent years, the gorgeous building is housing a Partagás worksite while its walls shine a gleaming white.
A Building of Many Names – The Antonio Briones Montoto Factory
Of all the cigar factories in Havana, this one has the most names, by far. No wonder, when you consider its colorful past.
Birthplace of the Montecristo
If these walls could only talk, what stories they would tell! Over the years, the legendary Empresa de Tabaco Torcido José Martí manufacture produced many beloved cigar labels such as Byron, Particulares and Montecristo.
Doomed Heritage – The H. Upmann Factory
Rise and fall: the building, commonly known as “La Madama”, that once housed the manufacture of H. Upmann’s world-famous cigars was lost after the Hupmann family went bankrupt.
El Laguito – Havana’s Most Beautiful Cigar Factory
Who’s the fairest one of all? Snow White’s evil stepmother had to look into a mirror for reassurance that she was the fairest in the land. There’s no question, however, which cigar factory is Havana’s most beautiful: without a doubt, it’s El Laguito.
Unmortal Love: Don Pepin & Romeo Y Julieta
Is it possible to be hopelessly romantically inclined and still run an efficient, profitable business? Well, yes – if you are Don Pepin, maybe Shakespeare’s biggest fan and infamous owner of the brand Romeo y Julieta.
