San Cristobal

San Cristobal represents a masterful collaboration between the esteemed Levin family of Ashton and the legendary Garcia family of My Father Cigars, producing some of the finest Nicaraguan cigars on the market. Handmade in Nicaragua with passion and precision, these premium cigars embody Cuban tradition while showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship of master blender Jose "Pepin" Garcia. Since its inception, the brand has been regarded for a number of highly rated, high-profile releases that exemplify Pepin's finest work. The brand offers a versatile portfolio spanning from smooth and mellow to full-bodied expressions, each meticulously crafted to deliver complex flavors and impeccable construction that has earned countless 90+ ratings from industry publications.

Background

San Cristobal was a Cuban-made brand from the early 1900s named after the city of San Cristobal, one of the largest cities in the Pinar del Rio province, home to some of the best cigar tobaccos in the world grown in the Vuelta Abajo region. Although it met its demise following Castro's Revolution, the San Cristobal brand was secured by the Levin family in the '80s waiting for opportunity. In the mid-2000s, that opportunity would appear in the form of Jose "Pepin" Garcia and his flourishing brand My Father Cigars. The Levin family saw great potential in the Cuban-born cigar maker and his Cuban style of cigar blending, and he turned out to be a fantastic partner for the San Cristobal brand. A natural synergy between both families emerged. In 2006, they forged a partnership and christened their new endeavor, San Cristobal, a registered U.S. trademark held by the Levins since the 1980s. This partnership brought together Ashton's decades of premium cigar distribution expertise with the Garcia family's unparalleled tobacco growing and cigar-making mastery.

History

San Cristobal officially launched in 2007 as Ashton's first new brand -- rather than a line extension -- since the 2002 launch of La Aroma de Cuba. As San Cristobal took off and the Garcias began to create new cigars for their recently christened My Father Cigars portfolio in 2008, the family opened a sprawling new cigar-making facility in Estelí, Nicaragua, to meet increased demand. Ashton was honored to be the factory's first official client with San Cristobal. The brand achieved significant recognition with the 2021 CA #3 Cigar of the Year, San Cristobal Quintessence. Throughout its evolution, the brand has maintained its commitment to showcasing the Garcia family's expertise in cultivating tobacco across Nicaragua's premier growing regions including Estelí, Jalapa, Condega, and Namanji.

Reputation

San Cristobal has over 4 dozen ratings at 90 or above with Cigar Aficionado alone, establishing it as one of the most consistently high-rated premium cigar brands in the industry. Impeccable complexity, countless top-ratings, elegant construction and indulgent finishes continue to endear true enthusiasts everywhere to San Cristobal cigars. Created by the Levin family of Ashton and the Garcia family of My Father, San Cristobal Cigars are some of the best Nicaraguan-made cigars on the market. The brand is revered by aficionados for its exceptional quality control, with the Garcias controlling the production process from seed to smoke, ensuring consistency and excellence that has made it a staple in discerning humidors worldwide.