Fotos José L. Piedra History

Photos

The José L. Piedra photographs show hand-made short-filler cigars from the Remedios region. They represent a Cuban tradition outside of Havana, shaped by tobacco from Villa Clara and a long family history dating back to the 19th century.

History

The brand originated in the late 19th century from a family from Asturias. Several generations ran the business before political changes and economic cuts interrupted production, which was later re-established.

👉 Now read 👉 José L. Piedra Cigars – The authentic short filler brand from Remedios

José Lamadrid Piedra II, one of the company owners of the eponymous brand. He died in 1942 and was also Vice-President of the „Union de Fabricantes“. Source: Min Ron Nee: “AN ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF POST-REVOLUTION HAVANA CIGARS”, Hong Kong 2003, ISBN: 978-3980930826

A José L. Piedra brand Vista with a Veguero and tobacco plants.

An older logo of the José L. Piedra brand. The brand's cigars have been produced since 1880.

The current logo of the José L. Piedra brand. The cigars of the brand are so-called handmade short fillers: cut leaf parts are rolled by hand using a cloth; the wrapper is also applied by hand.

The cultivation areas on the island of Cuba: Green is Pinar del Rio (Vuelta Abajo), Red is the Remedios region, where the José L. Piedra brand originates, Brown is Vuelta Arriba in the far east of the island.

The cigars from the José L. Piedra brand have always been very popular. Even the company founder focused on affordable cigars in common sizes. The tobacco comes from the Remedios region.

Although the José L. Piedra brand cigars are not long-fillers, they are nevertheless handmade, meaning without machines.

A cigar box with the old José L. Piedra brand logo. Source: Min Ron Nee: “AN ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF POST-REVOLUTION HAVANA CIGARS”, Hong Kong 2003, ISBN: 978-3980930826

Originally, José L. Piedra cigars were made in the Remedios region. From 1950 at the latest, possibly a little earlier, production was moved to Havana.

By 1950 at the latest, the José L. Piedra brand of cigars was being manufactured in this factory on Calle 57 in Havana's Marianao district.

Today, the former José L. Piedra factory building houses the Romeo y Julieta factory.

Years ago, the former José L. Piedra factory building on Calle 57 was renovated.

During the renovation, a training centre for torcedores was located in the former José L. Piedra factory building.

Today, the tradition of cigar production continues in the former José L. Piedra factory building, now as the official Romeo y Julieta factory. Many of the employees have been working there for decades.

External website: Search Google for José L. Piedra 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.