These photos of Montecristo provide an insight into the history of one of Cuba's most famous brands. Workshops, old production rooms and architectural details convey the special flair that has surrounded Montecristo for decades. The photographs capture the atmosphere in which legends were created - between tradition, craftsmanship and myth.
History
The gallery conveys a sense of atmosphere and history - from the brand's beginnings to the cigars that have become legendary. For lovers of Montecristo this is a rare visual journey through the world of cigars whose name has been synonymous with excitement, elegance and Cuban soul for generations.
They still belong together today: the Montecristo and H.Upmann brands, manufactured in the same factory.
The yellow background with the simple logo in matt gold and red in front of it. When the logo was designed, this was a novelty. The logos of the other brands were richly illustrated, with lots of gold and very opulent.
The Montecristo brand is one of the so-called Global Brands of Habanos brands.
Simple and elegant: six crossed swords, with the fleur-de-lis in the centre.
Alonso Menéndez, one of the founders of the Montecristo brand. Photo: Habano Magazine 1935.
The Montecristo brand cigar rings have a golden lily in the centre, in reference to the brand logo.
The best-selling Montecristo for many years: the Montecristo No.4
The very first Montecristos came from this factory on Calle 23 in 1935. At that time, this was still the Particulares factory. Menendez and Garcia had just bought it. From 2003 to 2011, both the H.Upmann and the Montecristo were (once again) manufactured here.
Montecristo cigars have been produced at Calle Virtudes No. 609 since 1937.
This factory was also the H.Upmann factory; these two brands came from the same company from 1937 onwards.
Calle Virtudes is located in Havana's Centro Habana neighbourhood, directly adjacent to the old town.
In 1944, the production of Montecristo cigars was relocated to Calle Amistad.
This factory is better known under the name „H.Upmann-Manufaktur“. References to this brand can be found everywhere in the house.
The factory is located almost back to back with the former Partagás factory, directly behind the Capitol.
The Montecristo has been produced in the H.Upmann factory on Calle Belascoain No.852 since 2011.
This factory, beautiful inside, used to be the El Rey del Mundo factory, then it was the Romeo y Julieta factory, now it's called the H.Upmann factory.
The H.Upmann factory is also the Casa Matriz, the parent company of the Montecristo brand.
Deutsch 
Español 
English (UK) 
Français