Ever wondered where your favorite Dominican cigars were made? We’ve started a list here of some of the cigar factories in the Dominican Republic, along with a few notes on the factory origins, and what cigar bands are made within each factory.
We’ll build this up over the coming days – So by no means a comprehensive list guys, but we’ll get all the bigger names up on here shortly. Please drop in a comment with any we’ve missed!
We’ve also added web links for a few companies where you can learn more!
ARTURO FUENTE CIGAR FACTORY
Arturo Fuente Sr., founded the Fuente cigar business in 1912 then located in West Tampa, Florida. Sadly, the business was lost in a fire in 1924. Arturo Fuente Sr. remained in the cigar business, working at other factories for more than 20 years before re-launching the Fuente business, this time making cigars in his backyard and porch of the family home in Ybor City, Florida.
Carlos Fuente Sr. took the reigns of the company in 1956 and purchasing another building on 18th St in Tampa, which became the family cigar factory with the second floor serving as their living space.
Further expansion came in 1965, where they bought a cigar factory on North 22nd Street. Finally in the 1980s, the Fuentes opened Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia in the Dominican Republic, establishing a major production facility and tobacco farm. Arturo Fuente Cigar Factory is now one of the most famous cigar factories in the world. Based in Santiago, the factory is still family-owned and operated, and produces a wide range of premium cigars, including the highly sought-after Opus X, Añejo, and Hemingway lines.
ABAM CIGAR FACTORY
DAVIDOFF CIGAR FACTORY
DE LOS REYES FACTORY
EL ARTISTA FACTORY
GENERAL CIGAR DOMINICANA
LA AURORA CIGAR FACTORY
LA PALMA CIGAR FACTORY
PDR CIGAR FACTORY
TABACALERA PALMA
Tabacalera William Ventura
This factory was founded in 2008 by William Ventura, a second-generation cigar maker. The factory is located in Santiago, and produces several premium brands, including the highly regarded Ventura Cigar Company line. William Ventura has been in the cigar industry since the 1990s, and has worked with several other factories before starting his own.
Tabacalera de García
Tabacalera de García is a subsidiary of the US-based Altadis USA, and is one of the largest cigar factories in the world. The factory is located in La Romana, and produces several well-known brands, including Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, and H. Upmann. The factory was established in 1971, and has since become a major player in the cigar industry, and is the largest employer of all the Dominican cigar factories on our list.
Tabacalera La Alianza
Tabacalera La Alianza was founded in 2012 by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr., a well-known cigar maker who has been in the industry for over 40 years. The factory is located in Santiago, Dominican Republic, producing several premium brands, including E.P. Carrillo cigars, Inch, and New Wave. Perez-Carrillo is the son of the legendary cigar maker Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Sr., and has become known for his innovative blends and unique cigar designs.
Tabacalera Palencia
Tabacalera Palencia is a family-owned Dominican factory that was founded in 2013 by Jhonys Diaz Palencia. The factory is located in Tamboril, and produces several premium brands, including Jas Sum Kral and Muestra de Saka. Diaz Palencia has been in the cigar industry since the 1990s, and had worked with several other factories before starting his own.
TabaDom Holding Inc.
Founded in 2016 by a group of experienced cigar makers. The TabaDom Cigar Factory is located in Tamboril, and produces several brands, including Caribe and Cimarron. The company has a strong focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility, and is committed to using only the highest quality tobacco in their cigars.
Tabacalera de Garcia Leyenda
A boutique factory that was founded in 2017 by Leo Reyes, a fourth-generation tobacco grower and cigar maker. The factory is located in Santiago, and produces several premium brands, including Leyenda Cubana and Patoro.
Tobaccos Dominicanos
Tobaccos Dominicanos is a family-owned cigar factory that was founded in 1995 by Félix Mesa. The factory is located in Santo Domingo, and produces brands including El Galan and Nomad.
La Flor Dominicana
La Flor Dominicana was founded in 1996 by Litto Gomez, a former jewelry maker who fell in love with cigars. Gomez, who was born in Spain and raised in Uruguay, started making cigars in the late 1980s and has become known for his innovative blends and bold designs. The factory is located in Tamboril, and produces several well-known premium cigar brands, including La Flor Dominicana Ligeros, The popular Chisels and the award winning Andalusian Bull. Gomez is known for his bold, full-bodied blends and unique cigar shapes, such as the chisel.
Villa Gonzalez Cigars
The Villa Gonzalez Cigar Factory was founded in 2010 by Felix Gonzalez. The factory is located in Villa Gonzalez, and produces several premium brands, including Felix Assouline and Villa Gonzalez. Gonzalez has been in the cigar industry since the 1990s, and is committed to producing only the highest quality cigars using traditional methods.
Tabacalera Palma
Tabacalera Palma was founded in 1936 by José Arnaldo Blanco, and is now run by his grandson, José Arnaldo Blanco II. The factory is located in La Romana, and produces several well-known brands, including Aging Room and La Instructora.
La Aurora
La Aurora is the oldest cigar factory in the Dominican Republic, founded in 1903 by Eduardo León Jimenes. The factory is located in Santiago, and produces several well-known brands, including La Aurora and Preferidos. La Aurora is renowned for its rich history and traditional methods.
Tabacalera La Alianza
Tabacalera La Alianza was founded in 2012 by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, a third-generation cigar maker who previously owned the famous El Credito Cigar Company in Miami. The factory is located in Santiago, and produces several premium brands, including E.P. Carrillo and New Wave Reserva. Perez-Carrillo is known for his expertise in blending and his commitment to quality.
De Los Reyes Cigars
A family-owned cigar factory that was founded in 2012 by the Reyes family, who have been in the tobacco business since the 1800s. The factory is located in Santiago, and produces several premium brands, including Saga and Debonaire.
Tabacalera El Artista
Founded in 1956 by Ramón “Papa” Rodriguez, and is now run by his son, Ramón Rodriguez. The factory is located in Tamboril, and produces several well-known brands, including El Artista and Puro Ambar. Tabacalera El Artista is known for its use of rare tobaccos.
Tabacalera La Flor de Ynclan
Founded in 2017 by Villiger Cigars, a Swiss cigar company that has been in business since 1888. The factory is located in Santiago, Dominican Republic and produces several premium brands, including La Flor de Ynclan and Villiger La Vencedora.
Tabacalera Palencia
Founded in 2018 by Jochy Blanco, a well-known cigar maker who also owns Tabacalera La Palma. The factory is located in Villa González, and produces several premium brands, including Jas Sum Kral and Sin Compromiso.
Tabacalera TESA
Founded in 2010 by Chris Kelly and Juan Cancel, two cigar enthusiasts who wanted to create their own premium cigar brand. The factory is located in Santiago, and produces several well-known brands, including the Cigar Dojo Collaboration and the TESA 312. Tabacalera TESA is known for its dedication to quality and its commitment to the art of cigar making.
Tabacalera Villa Gonzalez
Tabacalera Villa Gonzalez is a small boutique factory that was founded in 2017 by Henderson Ventura, a well-known cigar maker who previously worked for La Flor Dominicana. The factory is located in Villa González, and produces several premium brands, including Adventura and HVC.
Tobacalera La Matilde
Tobacalera La Matilde is a small boutique factory that was founded in 2011 by José Seijas, a well-known cigar maker who previously worked for Altadis USA. The factory is located in Santiago, and produces several premium brands, including La Matilde and Seijas Signature. Tobacalera La Matilde is known for its innovation in the art of fine cigar making.
Quesada Cigars
Quesada Cigars is a family-owned cigar company that was founded in 1974 by Manuel Quesada, a fourth-generation cigar maker, who has been in the industry for over 40 years. The cigars are made in the Quesada factory in Santiago, which is known for its commitment to quality and its use of rare tobaccos, and produces several well-known brands, including Fonseca and Casa Magna. Quesada is known for his expertise in blending and aging tobaccos, resulting in cigars with complex flavor profiles, as well as his commitment to quality and consistency, and excellent construction.
Tabacalera William Ventura, Santiago
Tabacalera William Ventura is a cigar factory that was founded in 2014 by Henderson Ventura, a well-known cigar maker who previously worked for La Flor Dominicana. The factory is located in Santiago and produces a variety of premium cigar brands, including the Archetype and Psyko Seven brands. Tabacalera William Ventura is known for its commitment to quality and innovation.
Tabacalera William Ventura, La Romana
Tabacalera William Ventura is a small boutique factory that was founded in 2013 by William Ventura, a third-generation tobacco grower and cigar maker. The factory is located in La Romana, and produces several premium brands, including Ventura Cigar Company and Impromptu. Ventura is known for his expertise in blending and aging tobaccos, and his commitment to quality.
Tobacalera El Artista
This cigar factory was founded in 1956 by Ramón “Pulita” Rodriguez, a well-known tobacco grower who started making cigars with his family in the Dominican Republic. The factory is located in Tamboril and produces a variety of premium cigar brands, including the El Artista and Buffalo TEN brands. Tobacalera El Artista is known for its use of high-quality tobaccos and its commitment to sustainability.
Zabala Cigars
Zabala Cigars is a small boutique factory that was founded in 2006 by Rafael Zabala. The factory is located in Santo Domingo, and produces several premium brands, including Zabala and Dominica. Zabala is known for his dedication to quality and his use of only the finest tobaccos in his cigars.