Aging Room

Aging Room is the brainchild of Cuban-born Rafael Nodal, a former musician and healthcare professional who became one of the cigar industry's most acclaimed boutique blenders. The brand is known for small-batch, limited-production cigars with unique tobaccos.

Key Facts

The Story

Aging Room Cigars was created in 2010 by Rafael Nodal, who came to the United States from Cuba as a refugee on the Mariel boatlift in 1980. After careers in music and healthcare, Nodal discovered his true calling in cigars when he and partners acquired Boutique Blends Cigars in 2002. The brand's first major release, the Aging Room Small Batch M356, made Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 list in 2011. Two years later, the Aging Room Small Batch F55 was named the No. 2 Cigar of the Year for 2013, cementing Nodal's reputation as a master blender. In 2017, Boutique Blends entered a strategic alliance with Altadis USA for sales and distribution, with Nodal joining the Altadis executive team. The brand continues to release small-batch, limited-production cigars made primarily in the Dominican Republic by master craftsman José 'Jochy' Blanco, with each release showcasing rare and aged tobaccos.