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Vegueros cigars were introduced to the market in 1996. The intention of the brand’s creation was twofold: to release a line of high-quality, totally handmade Cuban cigars at a more accessible price point than had ever come from Cuba before, and to pay tribute to the farmers – Los Vegueros – whose tireless work in the tobacco fields makes it possible for us all to indulge our smoking pleasure. While the majority of the tobacco grown in those fields is given over to the state for use in the wider industry, some is permitted to remain on the farm – that is then rolled into cigars for the farmers’ own consumption. The name was adopted as a nod to their labour, and a new brand was born.
While it is officially classed as a Havana brand, Vegueros cigars are actually rolled in Pinar del Rio, where the tobacco is grown. This is the region where the most high-quality tobacco is grown, and the area is known for supplying only the most premium brands with their raw materials. The Francisco Donatién factory was originally built in the late 19th century as a prison, before being converted in the 1960s to make cigars for the local market. The initial line-up of Vegueros crafted in this factory took some of the most popular Cohiba cigars shapes – Laguito No 1 and 2, Seoane and Mareva – and applied them to a much more affordable product. While these releases proved popular, in 2012 the entire line was replaced by the Vegueros we see on the market today.
In 2012, Vegueros were one of the first Cuban brands to undergo a full revamp and modernisation, being dressed in new bands of metallic foil and given more of a 21st century image. They are the only brand to be housed in metal tins, as opposed to the traditional wooden boxes, giving them a further edge over all the other marcas fighting to be noticed on cigar shop shelves. Cigars are available to buy in tins of 16 or boxes of 4, as well as individually, and those tins allow them to be stored safely as well as giving a more contemporary feel to the packaging.
While the original 4 vitolas had attracted a bit of a cult following – and now can be fairly valuable on the resale and vintage markets – the new expressions of Vegueros are proving even more popular. Classic robustos and coronas have replaced the elegant long panatellas originally offered, with rumours of a fifth cigar – in an all-new, unique vitola – coming in late 2022. The blend of tobacco leaves produces full-strength smokes, comparable to the more well-known Bolivar cigars.
Vegueros Entretiempos
This cigar is the thickest in the range (for now), using the same 52 ring gauge and length as the Montecristo Petit Edmundo. It will smoke for around 40 minutes, and give flavours of grass, hay, earth and nuts to the palette. Pair with a green tea or sweet wine.
Vegueros Mañanitas
This petit piramides is the perfect 20-minute break at any time of day, and extremely popular with knowledgeable aficionados. Earthy flavours are backed up by cocoa and a little spice – perfect with a coffee.
Vegueros Tapados
The factory name for this vitola – Mareva Gruesa – literally translates as “fat Mareva”, and that’s exactly what this stick is. An inflated version of Habanos’ most popular and often-used Corona size, it will smoke for about 35 minutes and offers notes of pure roasted tobacco alongside wood and dark chocolate.
Vegueros Centrofinos
A robusto-extra shape used by no other Cuban cigar brand, this smoke will last almost an hour and has notes of grass, earth, nuts, wood and roast coffee along the way. This is the newest cigar from Vegueros, showing that the brand is growing steadily.
To find Cuban cigars which are handmade with long filler for such a low price is not common. Only Vegueros offer this combination – a fitting tribute to the salt-of-the-earth farmers they were conceived to celebrate. Pay your own tribute by grabbing a box – or in this case, a tin – and adding these wonderful cigars to your collection.
Brand Founded: 1997
Strength: Full
Construction: Handmade, Tripa Larga
Continuous Production Cigars: 5
