Discovering the brief history of the Romeo Y Julieta cigar brand

Romeo & Juliet (Romeo Y Julieta) is not what many people think they are looking for when they do a quick search on Google. It throws up an altogether different meaning. This cigar brand is regarded across the globe by cigar aficionados alike as one of the finest cigars in production, but what else do we know about the history of this renowned cigar brand?

The humble beginnings

The brand began in Cuba way back in 1875 and was founded by two men, Inocencio Alvarez and Manin Garcia. It didn’t take long for their brand establish itself, even in its early years, gaining much respect which still continues to this day. Some 28 years later, the brand truly flourished following the business buyout by refined businessman Jose Rodriguez Fernandez, in 1903.

A bit about Jose Rodriguez Fernandez

He was quite the multiculturalist and would often be found flirting with the short of Europe, while he also enjoying nothing more than to entertain a host of the continent’s most highly-cultured and well-respected citizens. Fernandez would actively promote his brand while schmoozing among his high-society acquaintances. Furthermore, he even entered his horse into a number of prominent races; the horse’s name was Julieta.

The success of Fernandez’ cultural marketing campaign helped see the rise of a brand that was seen between the fingers of the cultured and educated. Ever since the turn of the century, the Romeo y Julieta brand has been one of the first choices for the true aficionado. A fact that further reinforces this idea is that they were the favoured cigars for the late British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. The endorsement of the brand via this renowned historical figure has certainly done no harm to the Romeo Y Julieta brand and has helped evolve its stature, in fact. As a mark of respect for this, a signature cigar size was named after him, a size that is still their forefront of their collections – the Churchill. This cigar was created with the luxury smoker, the boutique smoker, and the elegant smoker in mind.

It wasn’t always plain sailing

As with most successful brands, things aren’t always fine and dandy. All seemed to be faring well for the Romeo Y Julieta until, political unrest stepped in to become the rocks to this smooth-sailing ship, eternally altering its history. The brand wasn’t alone in this strife, like many cigar manufacturers, the Cuban revolution, teamed with the nationalisation of the cigar industry, saw the brand moved to its existing location in La Romana, Dominican Republic. It is here, at the illustrious Tabacalera de Garcia factory, that Altadis USA creates the supremely admired Dominican version of the cigar. Ask anyone who know their stuff in the cigar world, and you will get the same answer; the Dominican version of the Romeo Y Julieta stogie is undoubtedly one of the most popular cigars on the US market and is certain to be seen in every street store.

Cuba still holds the rights to the Cuban variety and continues to produce them to this day.  It still maintains its very established reputation with the cigar smokers of the world.  Even with the separation of the two brands and the recent news of the ending of the embargo, it does not change the fact that any cigar right now with a Romeo y Julieta band is of the highest quality and has earned the highest respect.

You can still find the brand’s logo proudly sporting the many tasting medals it won at various contests and exhibitions over the years, even today, in true homage to Jose Rodriguez Fernandez’s approach and success.

To experience some of the Romeo and Juliet cigars on offer, why not visit us here at Havana House, where we will be happy to give you all the help and advice you need?

Image: Andrew E. Larsen under Creative Commons.