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
Founded in 2010, ABAM Cigar Factory is a relatively new player in the cigar industry. Located in Santo Domingo, this Dominican cigar factory specializes in producing premium cigars using traditional methods. Their brands include Arandoza, Galán, and Mady.
Davidoff Cigar Factory
The Davidoff Cigar Factory was established in 1991 in Santiago, and is known for producing some of the most luxurious cigars in the world. The factory is owned by the Oettinger Davidoff Group, a Swiss company that acquired the Davidoff brand in 1970. Their brands include Davidoff, AVO, and Camacho.
De Los Reyes Factory
Founded in 2012 by the De Los Reyes family, who have been in the tobacco industry for over a century, this factory is located in Santiago and produces several well-known brands, including Saga, Debonaire, and Indian Motorcycle. The De Los Reyes family has a long history in the tobacco industry, dating back to the early 1900s when their ancestors began growing tobacco in Cuba.
El Artista Factory
Tabacalera El Artista has been operating in the Dominican Republic since 1956. Based in Tamboril, the factory was founded by Ramón “Pulita” Rodríguez, who started making cigars in his backyard. Now run by his son, Radhames Rodríguez, the factory produces several well-known brands, including El Artista and Big Papi by David Ortiz, as well as producing private label cigars for other companies.
General Cigar Dominicana
General Cigar Dominicana is a subsidiary of the US-based General Cigar Company, and has been producing cigars in the Dominican Republic since the 1970s. Located in Santiago, their brands include Macanudo, Cohiba, and La Gloria Cubana. The company has a long history in the tobacco industry, dating back to the 1800s when it was founded by the Spanish businessman Angel M. Castro.
La Aurora Cigar Factory
Established in 1903, La Aurora Cigar Factory is the oldest cigar factory in the Dominican Republic, and one of the oldest in the world. Based in Santiago, the factory was founded by Eduardo León Jimenes, who started making cigars by hand with just a few workers. Today, the factory produces a wide range of cigars under their own brands, including La Aurora and León Jimenes, as well as producing private label cigars for other companies.
La Palma Cigar Factory
Established in 1985, La Palma Cigar Factory is a family-owned business located in Tamboril. The factory produces several well-known brands, including La Galera and Indianhead.
PDR Cigar Factory
The PDR Cigar Factory is a relatively new factory that was founded in 2004 by Abe Flores. The factory is located in Tamboril, and produces several popular brands, including Flores y Rodriguez, A. Flores, and PDR 1878. Abe Flores has been in the tobacco industry for over two decades, and has worked with several other cigar companies before starting his own.
Tabacalera Palma
Tabacalera Palma is another family-owned cigar factory that has been producing cigars since 1936. The factory is located in Santiago, and is currently run by Jochy Blanco, a third-generation tobacco grower and cigar maker. Tabacalera Palma produces several well-known brands, including Aging Room, La Galera, and La Instructora.
Frequently asked.
How can I tell where my cigars were made?
Most cigar boxes display a sticker, stamp or printing on the underside of the box as to the name of the factory and the city and country where the factory is located. Many also include a small paper label inside the box indicating the date the cigars were inspected and boxed, along with the name or initials of the inspector at the factory.
Do some manufacturers have factories in multiple countries?
Yes, many of the larger producers now have facilities in more than one tobacco producing country. Companies such as Arturo Fuente, General Cigar, with factories in three countries, and Rocky Patel with facilities in Nicaragua and Honduras. See our cigar factory guides for those countries coming soon!
Are Cigar Factory Tours Available?
Yes, many of the larger factories do offer tours, or at the very least, allow visitors to drop in an access some parts of the facility. Best to check in well in advance with a phone call to check on this, and find out times, etc.
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