Educational resources on Cuban cigar heritage, brands and vitolas.

The guide

Cuban Cigars Guide

A structured introduction to Cuban cigars: history, brands, sizes, strength and the craft behind them.

Cuban Cigars Guide

This guide brings together everything on the site in a sensible reading order. Whether you are new to Cuban cigars or want a refresher on a particular brand or size, start here.

1. The history

Begin with A History of Cuban Cigars for the background: Indigenous tobacco, the colonial trade and the rise of Havana’s factories.

2. The brands

Cuban Cigar Brands: A Guide to the Marques introduces the marques. Then read the individual histories of Cohiba: The History of a Modern Cuban Marque, Montecristo Cigars: History of a Numbered Classic, Romeo y Julieta: History of the Marque, Partagás: One of Havana’s Oldest Houses, H. Upmann: A Banker’s Cigar and Hoyo de Monterrey: History and House Style.

3. Sizes and shapes

Understanding Cigar Vitolas explains how sizes are named and measured. Continue with Corona vs Robusto: What’s the Difference?, What Is a Lancero Cigar?, What Is a Churchill Cigar? and What Is a Torpedo Cigar?.

4. Strength and craft

Read the Cigar Strength Guide and How Cuban Cigars Are Made, and keep the Cuban Cigar Terminology glossary to hand.

5. The catalogue

When you are ready, browse the catalogue by brand, vitola and strength.

Frequently asked questions

Where should a beginner start?

Start with Understanding Cigar Vitolas and the Cigar Strength Guide, then compare a few cigars of the same size from different marques.

Are all Cuban cigars hand-made?

Premium Cuban cigars described as totalmente a mano are made entirely by hand. Check the packaging for how a particular cigar was made.

Guide articles