Veguero's history - fascinatingly connected to the land

Veguero's history is still a fairly recent story and, like Cohiba and Trinidad, belongs to the post-revolutionary cigars. This brand did not exist before the victory of the revolution and was officially registered in 1996, although cigars with a similar name existed earlier - but more on that later.

Full of pride: The Vegueros brand logo is clearly visible on the Vegueros factory.

Tobacco farmers take centre stage

Veguero is the Spanish term for the tobacco farmer. Without his labour, there would be neither tobacco nor cigars, as the hard and tedious work in the fields takes place largely unnoticed far away from Havana. Veguero's history honours these hard-working men and women who have been cultivating the tobacco plants in Pinar del Rio for generations. Some of the work is physically demanding, but there are also many tasks that require less strength and more skill: handling the tiny seedlings or threading the leaves for drying, for example. Dedicating a Habanos brand to these hard-working families is the least that can be done for them.

Each tobacco leaf is harvested from the stem with a distinctive „crack“.

Old names without a connection

Brands such as El Veguero and Veguera appeared in the register as early as the middle of the 19th century. In 1859, El Veguero by Cecilio Garcia, a trade mark of the same name owned by Luis Flores Hernandez and the trade mark Veguera by Francisco Loredo were registered. Later, in 1873, a Veguera was registered under Valentin Alonso. However, these historical trade marks have nothing to do with today's Vegueros brand. Given the large number of imaginative brand names in 19th century Cuba, it is obvious that the term from the tobacco culture was used several times.

Tobacco plants as far as the eye can see. From sowing in October/November to harvesting in March, you can enjoy this sight in the Vuelta Abajo.

From revolution to global success

Production for the domestic market

After the revolution in 1961, a factory in Pinar del Rio began producing cigars with this name. These products were intended exclusively for the domestic market and were only available in Cuba. Visitors to the Vuelta Abajo region - where the best tobacco grows - were often keen to try the vegueros' own cigars; a veguero was and still is considered a respected and valued person in the province.

The Vegueros factory in Pinar del Rio, in the centre of the city.

International introduction 1996

In 1996 Habanos S.A., Veguero's history to the international market in honour of the countless generations of hard-working people in Pinar del Rio. The blend was characterised by a special intensity that reflected the preferences of the locals. Four slim formats were produced for export:

• Mareva - a classic, slimline format
• Seoane - also filigree manufactured
• Especiales No. 1 - according to the format a Laguito No. 1 with 192 mm length and 38 ring gauge; in principle a «stronger» Cohiba with only double fermented tobacco
• Especiales No. 2 - a shorter version of the former format

These formats are no longer available today; they were discontinued in 2013.

On average, a veguero „picks up“ each tobacco plant 150 times, starting with the seed and ending with the dried leaves.

New start: the beginning of a new era since 2014

2014 saw the Veguero's history a new start and a new era began. Three formats were introduced: Mañanitas, tapados and entretiempos. In keeping with the spirit of the 2000s, they have larger ring sizes and are sold in elegant metal tins containing 16 pieces each. The blends are lighter than the original variants from the late 1990s, and two more formats have been added since then.

In 2014, a new era begins for the Vegueros story: a complete reboot with three new formats.

The Francisco Donatien manufactory

The cigars of the Vegueros brand are made in the manufactory Francisco Donatien in the heart of Pinar del Rio. The robust building was erected in 1868 and initially served as a hospital - for how long is unknown. It later housed a prison and is also said to have housed an art school. Cigars have been made in this building since 1961, but - unlike many other brands - not in Havana. They are still rolled entirely by hand („totalmente a mano“).

The building that now houses the Vegueros factory in the centre of the city was originally a hospital and later a prison. For a short time, it is also said to have housed an art school.

Timeline of the most important milestones

• 1961 - Start of production: The production of Vegueros cigars for the domestic market began in Pinar del Rio.
• 1996 - Official registration and export: The brand was registered and launched internationally with four slimline formats.
• 2013 - Discontinuation of the original formats: The early variants Mareva, Seoane and Especiales disappeared from the market.
• 2014 - New start with new formats: Mañanitas, tapados and entretiempos heralded a new era.
• since 1961 - Production in the manufactory: Production is still carried out „totalmente a mano“ in the Francisco Donatien factory.

One of the most famous vegueros in the world: Alejandro Robaina, who smoked cigars from the age of 10, as he said, and lived to be over 90.

Here you will find the Vegueros Manufaktur

If the live folder does not work, please click here to Vegueros Manufaktur.

Picture credits

• Claudia Puszkar
• Habanos S.A.

Curated for you

External website: Experience the Habanos Club in Germany

At Origin Of Cigar: THE PLEASURE LETTER by Origin Of Cigar: A curated email celebrating the fine pleasures of Cuban cigar culture.

Historical Habanos manufactories documentary film

In this film, their stories - and their true faces - are uncompromisingly revealed. This is far more than just a documentary film - it is a journey into the soul of Cuba. 

What is in your drawers?

Some chapters in the history of cigars still lie in hidden in drawers, archives or private collections. Do you own Records, documents or references to Cuban cigar brands? Or do you know Sources, that could help with historical research? Then please send us an e-mail. Claudia Puszkar will contact you personally and discuss everything else with you. Together we can Bringing buried stories back to light. 👉 admin@origin-of-cigar.com

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References

• Min Ron Nee:
  • “AN ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF POST-REVOLUTION HAVANA CIGARS” / Hong Kong 2003, ISBN: 978-3980930826

• Instituto de Investigaciones del Tabaco Cuba:
  • „The world of Habanos“ / Havana 2013, ISBN: 978-959-7212-08-9

• Adriano Martínez Rius:
  • “Habano the King” / Barcelona 1998, ISBN: 84-930387-1-7

• Adriano Martinez Rius:
  • “The Great Habano Factories” / Barcelona 2005, ISBN: 84-609-4024-1

• Orlando Quiroga:
  • “El Habano al rojo vivo” / Havana 2002

• Enzo A. Infante:
  • “Havana Cigars 1817-1960” / Neptune City 1997

• Eumelio Espino:
  • “El Habano - De la semilla al puro en 539 pasos” / Madrid 2019, ISBN: 978-84-09-07091-6

• Alexander Groom:
  • “El Habano Moderno” / Helios House Press 2022, ISBN: 978-911683-05-6

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