Founded in 1875 and named after Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, Romeo y Julieta is one of Cuba’s most iconic cigar brands. Though first launched by Alvarez and García, it was José “Pepín” Rodríguez who propelled the brand to global fame after acquiring it in 1903, traveling widely to establish its prestige.
Favored by the elite for its personalized cigar bands and elegant figurado shapes, Romeo y Julieta quickly became a mark of taste and refinement. Its most famous devotee, Winston Churchill, inspired the now-legendary Churchill vitola following his 1946 visit to Havana.
Handcrafted with long filler from the Vuelta Abajo region, every Romeo y Julieta cigar delivers a smooth, aromatic medium-bodied profile. Notable selections include the original Churchill, the modern-sized Short Churchills, the bold and contemporary Wide Churchills, and the beautifully presented Cedros de Luxe No.2.
Romeo y Julieta remains a pillar of Cuban tradition—elegant, expressive, and eternally beloved.
Romeo y Julieta, one of the most iconic and prestigious Habanos brands, was established in 1875 and draws its name from Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy. The brand was originally founded by Inocencio Alvarez and Manín García, but it was José “Pepín” Rodríguez Fernández, former head of the Cabañas factory in Havana, who transformed it into an international success after acquiring it in 1903 under the firm Rodríguez, Argüelles y Cía.
Before Rodríguez's acquisition, Romeo y Julieta had already received acclaim, winning multiple awards between 1885 and 1900 at international exhibitions. Rodríguez expanded its reputation by traveling across Europe and the Americas, famously naming his racehorse Julieta to promote the brand.
The brand quickly gained favor among the wealthy elite who appreciated personalized cigar bands—Romeo y Julieta is known to have used up to 20,000 different bands for customization. It also became renowned for its elegant figurados, such as Perfectos and Pirámides, which were once produced in large quantities.
Winston Churchill was one of the most famous aficionados of the brand. Following his visit to Havana in 1946, his name was immortalized in the brand’s most famous vitola—the Romeo y Julieta Churchill (7" x 47). Later additions include the Short Churchill (2006) and Wide Churchill (2010), both designed to meet the evolving preferences of modern smokers.
With its balanced and aromatic blend, Romeo y Julieta cigars are crafted using long filler and binder leaves from the prized Vuelta Abajo region, delivering a consistently medium-bodied flavor. All vitolas are made Totalmente a Mano con Tripa Larga (Totally Handmade with Long Filler).
Romeo y Julieta is classified by Habanos S.A. as a Global brand and commands a significant share of the international market. Although most releases prior to the 1980s were pre-1960 formats, the brand reintroduced special packaging in 1999 with the Siglo XXI Humidor series.
Flavor: Medium
