The Cohiba Cigar Factory
Photo Feature by Elio Delgado
HAVANA TIMES, Oct. 10 — Situated within a stunning mansion located along 146st Street in Havana’s Cubanacan community is the factory of the coveted Cohiba cigar.
Issuing from the special plantations in the western Pinar del Rio Province, these cigars —possessing no rings to indicate their brand— were first produced for the exclusive use by members of the Council of State (to smoke or to hand out as gifts). It was in 1982 that Celia Sanchez Manduley christened them their present name, which is what our indigenous ancestors called rolled tobacco.
In 1992, the first five “Siglos” lines began to be marketed as classics marking Christopher Columbus’s fifth centennial. After 2000 the “Siglo IV” line was created, and in 2006 —to be commemorate the 40th anniversary of the creation of the brand— 4,000 cigars called “Behikes” were manufactured and sold in boxes of 40, with each box selling for 375 euros.
In 2008, the “Cohiba Maduro 5” came out in three different selections; their outer layer is dark because they are aged for five years. In 2009 appeared the “Gran Reserva de Cohiba,” and in 2010 a new a type of Behike was prepared that was different from that of 2006; in it is incorporated a leaf called a “medio tiempo,” the same ingredient that was used more than 30 years ago in the making of cigars and which contributes to the line’s additional strength, greater flavor and finer aroma.
The Cohiba is the result of more than 90 processes that are performed with infinite care and devotion. This is why at the beginning there were only women working in the small factory, and even now —though some men also work there— women continue to constitute the majority. Among today’s workers is one of the company’s founding employees, Miriam Hodelin Hodelin.
Number one among the buyers is Spain, and first in that country is the King, for whom “Lanceros y Coronas especiales” are produced with a personalized ring.
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Hi,E.Leclerc is a cooperative of traders and a retail chain and currently has more than 500 locations in France and 114 stores outside of the country. We are looking for new products to create new partnerships. Could you please send us your catalog through e-mail to learn more about your products and wholesale quote. We hope being able to order with you and start long-term friendly, respectable and solid business partnership. We would also like to inform you that we do not work on prepayment policy. Our Payment Terms is : Purchase on business account : within 30/45 days as we operate with all our suppliers.Please feel free to reply to us if we comply with your company vision.Cordialement Pierre Laury E.Leclerc International Office and purchasing Phone:+33 (0) 644680550 Fax: +33(0)644667400 Email: [email protected] quai Marcel Boyer, 94200 IVRY SUR SEINE http://www.e-leclerc.com
Hi Howard… Im a master studennt here in HMO, northern of Mexico, we can chat on Messenger about your specific interest on cohibas, please add me if you want
La Casa Del Habano Nokke out of Belgium will ship. It’s a Habano “franchise” and everything is authentic. They are the best.
Thank you!
When you visit Cuba there is no longer a dollar limit on the
cigars you can bring home for personal use. The key word is personal use. It isalways up for review at the US customs counter. Here is the exact text from the US treasury Dept FQA for travel to Cuba a/o 1/6/2017
“There is no specific dollar limit on authorized expenses. Authorized travelers may engage in transactions ordinarily incident to travel within Cuba, including payment of living expenses and the acquisition
in Cuba of goods for personal consumption there. In addition, travelers are authorized to acquire in Cuba and import as accompanied baggage into the United States merchandise for personal use only. Effective October 17, 2016, the prior limitations on the value of such imports has been removed. Such imports remain subject to the normal limits on duty and tax exemptions for merchandise imported as accompanied baggage and for personal use.”
It is still however illegal to bring in Cuban products
(cigars, rum, etc) from other countries (Canada, England, etc.) in any dollar amount. That being said, many companies online do sell and ship to the US. Try finestcubancigars.com. I… heard they were great and reasonably priced. Or plan a trip to Cuba. It’s a GREAT place to visit.
How can I get the Cuban Cohiba sentvto me here in Los Angeles? I know that you can buy $100 worth if you go to Cuba, can we also get $100 worth sent to us?
HJH
L.A., Ca.
Hello from Germany,
clients of our office just made a reservation for a journey to Cuba. Because they only stay in Havana for two nights they want to make sure to be able to look at yout manufactory.
Please inform us whether it is poosible to make a reservation for a guided tour through your manufactory on 5th January 13.
We look forwad to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Travel agency Biehl
Christiane Holm
You are giving the retail value which does not reflect the selling price to the different dealers, i.m not saying it justifies the wages but you have your figures wrong.
At the same time since you mentioned this figures let me ask you, how much is a year of education and health care per person where you live? guess what in cuba is free and they have some of the best education and health care systems in the world, can you say is the same in your country? I rest my case.
Now let me do a small computation
One of this workers at the factory let us assume she or he can produce 4 boxes of cohiba per day
since the market price is 375 euros it will be about 30,000 euros a month.
These workers are probably pay somewhere between 10 and 20 dollars a month and the farmers that produce the tobacco leaves are not paid very much either. So from those 30,000 euros they may spend maybe 1000 in producing these.
There is a huge profit for the government. talking about exploitation!.
So
“were first produced for the exclusive use by members of the Council of State (to smoke or to hand out as gifts).”
all are equal? and what about social justice?
It amazes me how people listen to the words said by Castro but never see the actual actions.
Elitism!
What I remember is that they were produce exclusively for Fidel Castro and for gift he will make to visiting people.