Romeo y Julieta
Origin: Dominican Republic
Romeo y Julieta is one of the world's most storied cigar brands, established in Cuba in 1875. The non-Cuban version, produced in the Dominican Republic by Altadis USA, offers a range of smooth, accessible blends for modern enthusiasts.
Key Facts
1875
Inocencio Alvarez and Manin Garcia
Tabacalera de Garcia (La Romana, Dominican Republic)
Dominican Republic
The Story
Romeo y Julieta was created in Cuba in 1875 by Inocencio Alvarez and Manin Garcia, becoming one of the most famous cigar brands in the world. Named after Shakespeare's legendary lovers, the brand flourished under the stewardship of 'Pepín' Rodriguez, who purchased it in 1903 and expanded it globally. After the Cuban Revolution, alternative blends were developed outside Cuba. A trademark was registered by Lankering Cigar Company in 1976, and Hollco-Rohr introduced the brand to the American market in 1979. Through a series of corporate acquisitions — Tabacalera of Spain in 1998, the Altadis merger, and Imperial Tobacco's purchase in 2008 — the brand landed under Altadis USA. Today, non-Cuban Romeo y Julieta cigars are handmade at the famed Tabacalera de Garcia factory near Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. The portfolio includes the classic 1875 line, the Reserva Real, and the bolder Crafted by AJ Fernandez. The brand remains one of the most recognized cigar names worldwide, offering smooth, approachable Dominican blends.
Notable Cigar Lines
Awards
- Multiple 90+ ratings from Cigar Aficionado
- Reserva Real — perennial bestseller
