38th Meeting of Friends of Partagás: A 180-year-old legend

The event will celebrate the 180th anniversary of the founding of this brand, recognized as one of the oldest and most prestigious in Cuba. Its cigars are known for their strong and robust flavor.

The range features a variety of sizes and shapes, according to the Habanos S.A. website. Highlights include the Serie D No. 4 vitolas, the first Reserva de Habanos in this category; as well as Lusitanias 8-9-8 and the Pyramid of Partagás: Series P No. 2.

In addition, the brand has received several awards in international cigar competitions.

The story behind Partagás

The Royal Partagás Twisted Tobacco Factory, where these cigars are hand-produced, was opened in 1845 by the Catalan Don Jaime Partagás, who acquired some plantations in the western Cuban regions of Vuelta Abajo and Semi Vuelta.

The factory was first located at 520 Industria Street, behind the National Capitol building in Havana. Today, it is located at 806 San Carlos Street.

Partagás was a Catalan immigrant born in Barcelona on December 7, 1816, who arrived in Cuba in 1840 and quickly became involved in the tobacco industry. His influence can be seen in various towns in Pinar del Río, especially in the municipality of Consolación del Sur.

During the first half of the 19th century, tobacco manufacturing enabled the emergence of a powerful industrial bourgeoisie in Cuba, which controlled the production and export of tobacco, invading the Vueltabajo region to dominate the best farmland.

In 1845, Partagás opened his own factory in Havana, called “La Flor de Tabacos Partagás,” which would later be known as the “Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás.” By the end of that decade, his brand had established itself as one of Cuba’s most important, achieving international recognition.

In 1855, he received a gold medal at the Universal Exhibition, demonstrating his success not only in manufacturing but also in acquiring land for tobacco cultivation in Vueltabajo, where he controlled significant production.

However, Partagás’ life was marked by challenges, including an assassination attempt in 1868 that resulted in his death days later. After his death, his legacy began to decline, and his brand was taken over by other manufacturers.

Despite its decline, his impact on the tobacco-growing region of Vueltabajo endures, and the history continues to be remembered as a symbol of the effort and dedication put into consolidating the tobacco grown in Pinar del Río.

Today, Partagás is a cigar brand owned by the Cuban company Habanos S.A. and is among the most recognized in its portfolio, after Cohiba and Romeo y Julieta. It also boasts one of the largest vitolas.