La Flor de Cano cigars were once among the best-selling Havana cigars. Today, they are mostly only known to connoisseurs. It is nonetheless a success story, as it shows the development of a brand that became known through its modern machine production. At the same time, they document the transformation from a traditional family business to today's significantly smaller Habanos range.
History
The history of La Flor de Cano cigars dates back to 1884. However, the brand only truly rose to prominence in the 1930s under Juan Cano Sainz, who transformed a small cigar workshop into one of Cuba's most modern production companies. While many Habanos focused exclusively on handmade premium cigars, La Flor de Cano combined traditional craftsmanship with modern machine manufacturing, thereby opening up new customer segments.
The former Vista of the La Flor de Cano brand, relatively modern and simply designed. (Source: Min Ron Nee: “AN ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF POST-REVOLUTION HAVANA CIGARS”, Hong Kong 2003, ISBN: 978-3980930826)
A logo of the La Flor de Cano brand, as it is still used today. (Source: Enzo A. Infante: “Havana Cigars 1817-1960”, Neptune City 1997)
The brand La Flor de Cano's portfolio once comprised both handmade and machine-made cigars. (Source: Min Ron Nee: “AN ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF POST-REVOLUTION HAVANA CIGARS”, Hong Kong 2003, ISBN: 978-3980930826)
The La Flor de Cano brand has a particular reputation in Great Britain: during the Second World War, the military procured large quantities of these cigars. This reputation has endured. (Source: Min Ron Nee: “AN ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF POST-REVOLUTION HAVANA CIGARS”, Hong Kong 2003, ISBN: 978-3980930826)
A La Flor de Cano branded box, likely from the 1940s. (Source: Min Ron Nee: “AN ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF POST-REVOLUTION HAVANA CIGARS”, Hong Kong 2003, ISBN: 978-3980930826)
The La Flor de Cano cigar band, featuring the distinctive ‘J’ and ‘C’ for Juan and Cano.
Flor de Cano Manufactories 1/6: The La Flor de Cano brand's first address at Calle Rayo No. 66 under the management of the Cano brothers; from around 1884. It is unclear until when the cigars were manufactured there.
Flor de Cano production facilities 2/6: There was definitely a production facility on Calle Manrique (in the Centro Habana district) from the 1930s onwards.
The Flor de Cano brand's factories 3/6: Juan Cano Sainz had both his residence with the first Chinchal and later a factory on Calle Bernaza in Havana's Old Town.
The Flor de Cano brand's manufactories at 4/6 Calle Figuras No. 109 were able to achieve larger production capacities from the 1940s onwards.
Flor de Cano Brand Manufactories 5/6: Another large production facility was established at Calle San Gabriel No. 301 (Vibora district, a bit further out).
Manufactories of the Flor de Cano brand 6/6: After the revolution, in the late 1960s, cigar production was moved to the then „El Rey del Mundo factory“ at Calle Belascoain No. 852 (later the Romeo factory, today H.Upmann).
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