Cuaba Cigars History - Origin of the Cigar

Photos

The images show the characteristic double figurados of Cuaba, historic manufacturers such as Romeo y Julieta and La Corona, and details of cigar production. They reflect the development from an almost forgotten shape to a specialised brand since 1996.

History

Cuaba was introduced in 1996 and is exclusively for double figurados. The brand revives a historic cigar shape that had hardly been produced since the 1970s, bringing this sophisticated craftsmanship together under its own brand.

👉 Now read 👉 Cuaba history unique: two-topped cigars

The Cuaba brand, officially introduced in 1996.

The Vista of the Cuaba brand, the brand of double figurados.

The origin of the word Cuaba is explained here: „Cuaba, Cuaba! The native inhabitants constantly repeated whenever the sacred ritual of the cohoba – a smoke aimed to drive away the devil – started.”

A double figurado is a cigar with both ends tapering to a point.

For the brand's 20th anniversary, Cuaba released a special cigar, which, in terms of format, was a Joffres Grande with a 56 ring gauge and a length of 170mm.

There are only 450 of these humidors worldwide for the 20th anniversary of the Cuaba brand.

50 cigars are housed in this 2016 Cuaba Humidor Anniversary.

On the lid of the box, you'll find the Cuaba brand logo. On the inside lid is the explanation of the name's origin.

The Cuaba brand stands for double figurados. All cigars in the portfolio are double figurados. The only exception is a Limited Edition from 2008.

A Double Figurado is difficult to craft, with the cigar tapering to a point at both ends. Although the diameter reduces drastically, the cigar still needs to draw.

Introduced in 1996, Cuaba's flagship store, Casa Matriz, was located at Calle Belascoain No. 852 in Havana's Centro Habana district.

During this time, the building at 852 Belascoain housed the Romeo y Julieta factory. Today, it is the H. Upmann factory.

Today (as of 2026), the Casa Matriz, the parent house, of the Cuaba brand is the La Corona factory in Havana on Avenida 20 de Mayo.

Alongside the Cuaba brand, the La Corona factory also produces cigars from the Por Larrañaga, Romeo y Julieta, San Cristobal de la Habana, and Hoyo de Monterrey brands, as can be seen here in the factory's conference room.

On the left, a Parejo, a cigar with the same diameter along its entire length. On the right, a Figurado, a cigar that tapers at one end.

You can clearly see how much the length of cigars in a box used to vary from this Partagás box, which is in its original fill from 1902. (Source: Amir Saarony and contributors: “Partagás – The Book”, ISBN: 978 0 9879290 1 3)

External website: Search Google for Cuaba History

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Photos Rafael González

The 5th Earl of Lonsdale, Hugh Cecil Lowther, had his own cigar created and memorialised his name with a format designation, namely Lonsdale.

Flor de Rafæel Gonzáles Marquez: this is the official name of the brand today.

Flor de Rafael Gonzáles Marquez: Today, the brand is usually just called Rafael González, but it is also known as Flor de González or Flor de Márquez. But here the rule is: many names, one brand.

From the beginning until a few years ago, this notice was found on every box: The cigars should either be smoked within a month or after a few years. This applies not only to Rafael González brand cigars.

The old design of the Rafael González boxes: It is written on the bottom of the box that these cigars were created „... BY THE MARQUEZ RAFAEL GONZALEZ GRANDEE OF SPAIN...”. Apart from this statement, however, there is no evidence of the existence of this count or marquis.

The modern and contemporary design of the Flor de Rafael Gonzalez: no longer a decorated box, but a semi-boìte box made of natural wood.

The cigar ring of the Rafael González cigars has also been changed, but is still very similar to the old ring that the formats used to have.

Rafael Gonzalez brand cigars have been produced in this factory on Calle Belascoain No. 852 for decades, at the latest since 1940.

The factory where the Rafael González brand cigars were made on Calle Belascoain No.852. This factory was the El Rey del Mundo factory, then the Romeo y Julieta factory and now it is the H.Upmann factory.

The factory where the Rafael González brand cigars are made on Calle Belascoain No. 852: Although it is a factory, the interior design is also a little chic.

The factory where the Rafael González brand cigars were made on Calle Belascoain No.852: This building was probably built in 1914, at least that's the date on the gable.