Romeo & Julieta

Romeo y Julieta stands as one of the most iconic and prestigious cigar brands in the world, renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship, balanced flavor profiles, and rich literary heritage. Known for its quality, Romeo y Julieta became a favorite among cigar enthusiasts worldwide, with global popularity rivaled only by Montecristo and Cohiba, routinely maintaining second place in worldwide sales at around 15 percent. The brand has earned legendary status through its association with distinguished figures like Winston Churchill and its commitment to producing premium cigars that appeal to both novice and experienced smokers. Romeo y Julieta cigars are creamy, smooth, balanced, and well made, offering an extensive portfolio that ranges from mild to full-bodied expressions. The brand remains a key offering within the core Romeo y Julieta brand, with a legacy reflected in the gold medals featured on the classic Romeo y Julieta logo.

Background

The Romeo y Julieta cigar brand was founded by Inocencio Alvarez and Manin García in Havana, Cuba, with the marque established in 1875. The name Romeo y Julieta, created as a Habanos brand in 1875, has its roots in the literary tragedy of the same name by the English writer William Shakespeare. Between 1885 and 1900, the brand won numerous awards at different tasting exhibitions, but truly bloomed after it was acquired by José 'Pepin' Rodriguez Fernández, former head of the Cabañas factory in Havana, and his firm, Rodríguez, Argüelles y Cia, in 1903. The Cuban Revolution led to the nationalization of the tobacco industry, creating two versions of the brand: A Cuban and non-Cuban Romeo y Julieta. The U.S. based Romeo y Julieta brand was re-established and began production in the Dominican Republic, ensuring the brand's continued availability in the U.S. market. In 2025, the Romeo y Julieta 150th Anniversary marks a milestone in that journey.

History

Between 1885 and 1900, the brand won numerous awards at different tasting exhibitions, quickly making a name for itself by winning several gold medals, with an aggressive marketing campaign throughout Europe and the Americas in the early 20th century helping establish Romeo Y Julieta as a commercial success. José 'Pepín' Rodríguez Fernández, former head of the Cabañas factory, acquired the brand through Rodríguez, Argüelles y Cía and introduced personalized cigar bands for prominent figures, elevating Romeo y Julieta's global reputation. Romeo y Julieta's most famous fan, after a visit to Cuba in 1946, was Sir Winston Churchill, and that became and remains the flagship vitola for Cuba's Romeo y Julieta, called the Churchill. After Rodriguez's death in 1954 at 88 years of age and the Cuban revolution, Castro began the nationalization of the tobacco industry, leading to Romeo y Julieta cigars undergoing the same sort of split as many storied brands from old Cuba, with production for the American market continuing in La Romana under the purview of Altadis U.S.A.

Reputation

Originally founded in 1875, today, the brand is one of the best-selling handmade premium cigars in the world. Romeo y Julieta cigars are a symbol of tradition, quality, and passion in the world of premium cigars, with an incredible legacy and synonymous with producing some of the most iconic and enduring cigar lines, continuing to be sought after by cigar connoisseurs worldwide. In collaboration with AJ Fernandez, the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua debuted in 2020, earning #1 Cigar of the Year by Cigar & Spirits, later securing #9 Cigar of the Year by Cigar Aficionado in 2022 with a 93 rating, while The Romeo by Romeo line earned a 94-rating and #3 Cigar of the Year by Cigar Aficionado in 2012. Romeo y Julieta has been lauded by connoisseurs and novices for years, with tradition, reputation and balance converging in a complex but approachable cigar.