Brand: Cuesta-Rey

Cuesta-Rey is one of the most iconic cigar brands in American history. Tracing its history to 1884, Cuesta-Rey has maintained a tradition of cigarmaking excellence for over a century. Cigar smokers from coast to coast recognize the iconic Cuesta-Rey “Sally” (Carlotta Cuesta) from boxes of its cigars. The brand has been commonly available since the early 20th century and even today is commonly found at cigar shops around the United States. The cigar evokes a certain nostalgia for cigar smokers who remember enjoying the discontinued Cuesta-Rey #1884 as their first cigar. Indeed, K-mart and Eckerd’s Drugstore sold them feverishly up until the two chains ceased to operate in the United States. Luis Martinez offers the timeless enjoyment to cigar smokers once again with the Dominican Cuesta-Rey Cabinet Selection, Centenario, and Centro Fino as well as the Tampa-made Cuesta-Rey Caravelle. All Cuesta-Rey cigars are made from a fine selection of Dominican filler tobaccos. Centenario and Caravelle are designed for everyday smokers who want an easy, smooth cigar to start their day off and remind them of the cigars of yesteryear. Centro Fino is the fuller-bodied cousin of the Centenario and Caravelle with a flavorful Ecuadorian Sungrown wrapper, primed from the part of the plant with the most sugar and oil. Finally, the Cabinet selection are legacy brands which J.C. Newman has manufactured under the Cuesta-Rey brand umbrella for more than eighty years! This brand has something to offer every walk of cigar smoker, immersing and enamoring in the romance of classic cigars.

What is Cuesta-Rey?

Cuesta-Rey was a cigar company started by two Latin manufacturers, Angel LaMadrid Cuesta and Peregrino Rey, in 1884. In 1958, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. purchased the brand and copyright and began producing Cuesta-Rey cigars. The brand is one of the oldest and most illustrious brands in the J.C. Newman portfolio. Blended from vintage Dominican tobaccos, Cuesta-Rey is the benchmark for premium handmade cigars.

History of Cuesta-Rey

Angel LaMadrid Cuesta and Peregrino Rey began their cigar company in Atlanta, Georgia in 1884. Seeking a more abundant supply of imported Cuban-seed tobaccos and workers, the firm moved to Tampa, Florida. By the 1930’s, Cuesta-Rey was a leading national cigar brand ranked among the likes of Garcia y Vega, Antonio y Cleopatra, Hav-a-Tampa, and White Owl. The difference, of course, is that Cuesta-Rey never gained a reputation as being a gas station or convenience store cigar. While commonly available, Cuesta-Rey remained a premium cigar. Currently, Cuesta-Rey production is split between the J.C. Newman Tampa factory and the Arturo Fuente Dominican factory. In either case, the cigars are made with aged Dominican tobaccos and sure to satisfy.

Cuesta-Rey Centenario

Cuesta-Rey Centenario is a smooth to medium-bodied cigar handmade in the Dominican Republic with a Connecticut Shade wrapper. The cigar is available as a robusto, pyramid, or soberano. The cigar is also available in a glass tube as a churchill. The cigars are available in a fuller-bodied, maduro wrapper. These cigars come in boxes of ten.

Cuesta-Rey Centro Fino

Cuesta-Rey Centro Fino is a medium to full-bodied cigar handmade in the Dominican Republic with a Ecuadorian Sungrown wrapper. The cigar is available as a robusto, pyramid, or soberano. Boxes of Centro Fino come with ten cigars.

Cuesta-Rey Cabinet Selection

Cuesta-Rey Cabinet Selection is a smooth to medium-bodied cigar handmade in the Dominican Republic with either a Connecticut Shade or African Cameroon wrapper. This cigar comes as a churchill in boxes of twenty or as a lonsdale in boxes of twenty-five.

Cuesta-Rey Caravelle

Cuesta-Rey Caravelle is a smooth to medium-bodied premium cigar made in Tampa, Florida with an Ecuadorian habano wrapper. This cigar comes as a panatela in a box of twenty-five. This cigar comes with specialized “It’s a Boy” or “It’s a Girl” imprinted polypropylene tubes.

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