Since 1848, El Rey del Mundo—“The King of the World”—has stood as a symbol of refined taste and quiet sophistication. Introduced by Emilio Ohmstedt and later elevated by Antonio Allones, this brand was once among the most prestigious in the world, admired for its elegance and smooth, approachable strength.
Today, it remains a beloved name in Cuban cigars, offering a mild to medium profile crafted entirely by hand with long filler from the legendary Vuelta Abajo region. Each cigar is a study in balance—never overpowering, always nuanced.
Standouts include the iconic Choix Suprême, celebrated for its creamy texture and subtle complexity, the compact yet flavorful Demi Tasse, and the refined Royal Series, which lives up to its regal name in every draw.
For those who appreciate subtlety over strength, El Rey del Mundo is not just a cigar—it’s a classic. A whisper of history, wrapped in the finest leaf.
Smoke El Rey del Mundo. Experience elegance, the Cuban way.
El Rey del Mundo (Spanish for “The King of the World”) has long been regarded as a benchmark for refined, mild-to-medium Habanos. Today the name covers two separate premium lines: the original Cuban production made for Habanos S.A. and a non-Cuban version produced in Honduras by the Villazón family. The summary below focuses on the Cuban line.
Most historians trace the brand’s earliest roots to 1848, when German entrepreneur Emilio Ohmstedt introduced both El Rey del Mundo and Sancho Panza. Renowned for elegance and commanding the highest prices of its day, it quickly became one of the most prestigious cigars in the world.
Around 1882 the Spanish businessman Antonio Allones acquired (or, in some accounts, revived) the marque, relaunching it as a high-end line. Under Allones, El Rey del Mundo reached new heights of global fame. Records cited by researcher Min Ron Nee indicate Allones was already listed as brand owner by 1873.
In 1905 the company was sold to the Díaz Hermanos y Cía venture (owned by Cándido Vega Díaz) and renamed the Rey del Mundo Cigar Co.; production moved to 852 Calle Belascoaín in Havana. Alongside El Rey del Mundo, the factory also rolled Don Cándido, Sancho Panza, and Rafael González.
The brand survived the Cuban Revolution and remained popular through the 1960s and 1970s. Although consumer tastes later shifted toward stronger blends, El Rey del Mundo continues to be prized for its nuanced, delicate profile. Classic favorites include Grandes de España, Choix Supreme, and Demi Tasse.
In the modern Habanos S.A. portfolio, El Rey del Mundo is listed in the “Other” category: light-to-medium strength cigars rolled with tobaccos from the top farms of Vuelta Abajo.
Every vitola is produced Totally by Hand with Long Filler, using filler and binder leaves exclusively from the Vuelta Abajo region—ensuring the smooth, balanced character that discerning smokers still celebrate.
Flavor Profile: Mild to Medium
