La Gloria Cubana Cigars: The Underrated Luxury Brand with a Cuban Soul
La Gloria Cubana History/ La Gloria Cubana cigars were founded in Havana in 1885 by „Sociedad de Cabañas y Castro“. This makes the brand one of the oldest brands in Cuba.
Table of contents
From 1885, Sociedad Cabañas y Castro manufactured the first cigars of the La Gloria Cubana brand in a house at Calle Corrales No. 53 in Havana.
The brand's first factory was located at Calle Corrales No. 53. Over the decades, the brand evolved into a less well-known but highly respected gem among Habanos. Despite a smaller market presence today compared to its early days, it still boasts a loyal following among aficionados. The brand name itself was probably always a strong draw: Cuban glory – La Gloria Cubana.
Around the turn of the century, according to an advertisement from 1899, La Gloria Cubana was owned by Christian Ehlers. Little is known about him: was he an Englishman, possibly also of German nationality? The cigars were made at Calle Gervasio No. 137 in Havana at that time.
In 1899, the La Gloria Cubana brand was owned by Christian Ehlers. The cigars were manufactured at Calle Gervasio No. 137.
To the point
La Gloria Cubana cigars are among the most elegant and oldest traditional brands from Cuba. The brand maintains its luxurious reputation and historical significance to this day.
Why is La Gloria Cubana special?
La Gloria Cubana cigars were conceived as a luxury brand from the outset. Particularly striking were the elaborately designed lithographs with gold foil.
The famous box design depicts a voluptuous woman, inspired by the beauty ideals of the Rubens era. She is surrounded by sunbeams and holds symbols of peace, intelligence, agriculture, and industry in her hands.
Legend has it that the artist suffered a heart attack and died upon seeing his finished work. How dramatic!
The Vista of the La Gloria Cubana brand: lush, golden, and very colourful.
The Medaille d’Or series, the so-called Gold Medal series, presented itself as particularly luxurious. At the same time, José Fernando Rocha, the owner of the brand from 1905, allegedly preferred rather simple cigar bands.
An old La Gloria Cubana cigar band, plain, as J.F. Rocha would probably have preferred. (Source: Enzo A. Infante: “Havana Cigars 1817-1960”; Neptune City 1997)
La Gloria Cubana in the context of the Habanos world
The story of La Gloria Cubana is closely linked to significant names in the Cuban cigar industry.
José Fernando Rocha, who later created the Bolívar brand (1920), took over La Gloria Cubana through his company José F. Rocha y Cia. Production took place at Calle San Miguel 364 – a street considered to be the centre of the Cuban cigar industry. Early sites of Por Larrañaga, Partagás and H. Upmann were also located there. At this point, the Republic of Cuba had officially just gained its independence from Spain following armed conflict.
J.F. Rocha – Owner of the La Gloria Cubana, Bolivar, and El Crepúsculo (Twilight) brands. A significant figure in Cuba's cigar industry. Here is a picture from „Section – History of Tobacco“ circa 1945. (Source: Min Ron Nee: “AN ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF POST-REVOLUTION HAVANA CIGARS”; Hong Kong 2003, ISBN: 978-3980930826)
In 1910, J.F. Rocha y Cia. merged with José Rodriguez Fernández, better known as Don Pepin, the owner of Romeo y Julieta. This collaboration significantly strengthened La Gloria Cubana and El Crepúsculo in particular. La Gloria Cubana and Romeo y Julieta – like two sisters in one house. The cigars were made in the then-famous Romeo factory at Calle Belascoain No. 2A.
From 1910, J.F.Rocha and Don Pepin, owners of the Romeo y Julieta brand, entered into a partnership. The cigars were henceforth produced in the factory at Calle Belascoain No. 2A.
In 1954, La Gloria Cubana and Bolívar were transferred to the Cifuentes family, the owners of Partagás. Production was then moved to the legendary Partagás factory behind the Capitol.
Following the Cuban Revolution, production of the brand was presumably halted for a short period. However, it was revived around 1965 – this time as a slightly lighter alternative to Partagás.
Presumably in 1954, the Rocha family sold the La Gloria Cubana and Bolívar brands to the Cifuentes family, who at the time owned the Partagás brand. The cigars were then produced in the factory at Calle Industria No. 520, directly behind the Capitol.
Today, La Gloria Cubana cigars continue to be manufactured in the Partagás factory at Calle San Carlos No. 816 in Havana. The original factory behind the Capitol was closed in 2012 for structural reasons.
Since 2012, the Partagás factory has been located at Calle San Carlos No. 819. Cigars of the La Gloria Cubana brand are also produced here.
Fact box
* Introduction: 1885
* Founders: Sociedad de Cabañas y Castro
* Origin: Havana, Cuba
Concept: Luxury brand with elaborate presentation
* Special feature: Gold leaf lithographs and Medaille d’Or series
* Key owners: Christian Ehlers, José F. Rocha, Cifuentes Family
* Production today: Partagás factory, Havana
Known for: small, loyal fan base and many regional editions
Today, the cigar bands of the La Gloria Cubana brand feature an image similar to the Vista (illustration on the inner lid of the box).
Reducing the range
In the 1970s, the hitherto extensive portfolio of La Gloria Cubana was significantly reduced. A further reduction occurred in the 2000s.
Today, the regular range comprises only a few cigars. However, La Gloria Cubana is regularly selected for exclusive Edición Regionales.
The branding for La Gloria Cubana is rather understated these days (logo on the lid), with yellow being the dominant colour.
Here you will find the La Gloria Cubana manufactory
If the live folder does not work, Please click here for La Gloria Cubana Manufactory.
Picture credits
- Claudia Puszkar
- 2 Habanos S.A.
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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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