Vegas Robaina
One of the youngest brands of Habanos in tribute to the "Godfather of Cuban tobacco".
The Vegas Robaina brand is one of the youngest Habanos brands and has a relatively recent history. It is, however, the only one to bear the name of its founder: Don Alejandro Robaina.
Generally recognised as the "Godfather of Cuban tobacco", the man is a child of the Vuelta Abajo. He grew up in the tobacco plantations; with his family growing tobacco since the middle of the 19th century. He smoked his first cigar at the age of ten! In 1951, he succeeded his father in taking over the family plantation. Since then, Alejandro Robaina has devoted his life to perfecting his cultivation and rolling techniques to the point of becoming one of the most famous Torecedors and, according to the Cuban government, the best tobacco producer in the country.
In fact, every year, 80% of the Robaina farm's harvest is deemed worthy of making Habanos for export, whereas the average is only 35% for other plantations in the region.
Don Alejandro Robaina was an excellent example of the hard work Cubans put into making the best cigars. It is in this spirit that Habanos S.A. decided to create the Vegas Robaina brand. More broadly, the brand is a tribute to all Cuban harvesters through the figure of Alejandro Robaina, who, thanks to their knowledge and skills, gave the Habano its prestige.
The brand was officially launched by Don Alejandro Robaina, then aged 78, on 6 June 1997 at the Ritz Hotel in Madrid, Spain. A few months later, Vegas Robaina cigars were available worldwide.
Unlike other brands launched in the 1990s, the blend used to make the brand's cigars belongs to the Cuban cigar register of the time. A robust blend that remains true to the age-old taste of traditional Havana and has not been adapted to appeal to new aficionados.
Vegas Robaina's origins and flavour profile are comparable to the Vegueros brand, also founded in 1997, which pays tribute to all Cuban farmers.
Despite its young age and its current meagre vitolario, consisting of two cigars, the Vegas Robaina brand enjoys a worldwide reputation, thanks in particular to the regional editions and other special productions, among the most prestigious Habanos.
Starting with the regional editions, the brand has already produced 8 of them to date. The first one dates back to 2007 with the Vegas Robaina Maestros, a Gorditos (50 x 141 mm) produced in 20'000 boxes of 10 cigars exclusively for Spain. The choice of this brand for Spain is no doubt not a coincidence, given the ties that unite them. The brand was officially launched in Madrid in 1997 by Don Alejandro Robaina himself.
The latest regional edition produced by the brand dates back to 2014 with the Short Robaina, a Minuto (40 x 110 mm), produced in 2'000 boxes of 25 cigars exclusively for the small principality of Andorra.
In the meantime, Switzerland also benefited from the character of these cigars in 2012 with the Vegas Robaina Petit Unicos, a Petit Belicosos (52 x 125 mm), produced in 5'000 boxes of 10 cigars.
The brand is also behind two commemorative humidors, released in 2002. The first one, the Vegas Robaina 5 Aniversario Humidor, was released to commemorate the brand's 5th anniversary. Each of the 500 humidors produced is individually numbered. Inside, there are 100 cigars, all with a special ring stamped "5 Aniversario Vegas Robaina": 20 Clásicos (Cervantes - 42 x 165 mm), 20 Don Alejandro (Prominentes - 49 x 194 mm), 20 Famosos (Hermosos No.4 - 48 x 127 mm), 20 Maestros (Gorditos - 50 x 141mm) and 20 Unicos (Pirámides - 52 x 156 mm).
The second commemorative humidor of the brand is the Vegas Robaina 83 Birthday Humidor, produced in only 83 pieces to celebrate the 83rd birthday of Alejandro Robaina. In fact, the one in our museum was signed by him on 24 February 2002. The particularity of this humidor is that it was not marketed outside Cuba.
Inside, there are 83 cigars from the regular production of the time and bearing no particular distinctive sign: 40 Don Alejandro (Prominentes - 49 x 194 mm), 3 Familiars (Coronas - 42 x 142 mm) and 40 Famosos (Hermosos No.4 - 48 x 127 mm).
And finally, probably the most prestigious special production of the brand, the Vegas Robaina Subasta Humidor from 2011. This unique piece was acquired during the annual auction of humidors ("Subasta" in Spanish) held during the Festival del Habano in Cuba. Over the years, this auction has become one of the most important moments of the festival.
These humidors are true works of art because of their design and what they contain. Inside, they contain an exquisite selection of the brand's flagship vitolas, always the most sought-after, most exclusive and most famous.
All the Habanos contained in the Subastas humidors have been made by the best cigar rollers in each brand's headquarters factories, with the participation of the most expert master blenders in the preparation of the blend.
All funds raised are donated in full to the Cuban Ministry of Public Health with the aim of contributing to the health of the Cuban people.
This is a tribute to the Vegas Robaina brand and its founder, Alejandro Robaina, who sadly passed away in 2010. This unique and monumental piece (2 metres high by 1.50 metres wide and 0.45 metres deep) consists of two tobacco leaf-shaped cabinets and a sculpture representing the iconic hat that the man wore for many years of his life. Made of silver, cedar, bronze and Carrara marble, the Vegas Robaina Subasta Humidor holds 220 Habanos: 24 Robaina, 50 Don Alejandro, 24 Familiar, 24 Famosos, 24 Unicos, 48 Maestros and 50 Finuras.
The House of Grauer is proud to have been able to meet this great man of tobacco on several occasions. During these meetings, the man signed various boxes of cigars with his trembling hand, which are now on display in our museum. Among them, we find a box of 25 Famosos and a box of 25 Don Alejandro, respectively signed on the 1st of November 2000 and the 9th of May 2002.
Unfortunately, the man passed away in 2010, at the age of 91, so we can only introduce you to him through this magnificent bronze bust that pays tribute to him. This original work was produced in 91 pieces in memory of the age of the "Godfather of Cuban tobacco" when he passed away.
All Vegas Robaina vitolas are rolled "Totalmente a Mano con Tripa Larga" alongside H. Upman cigars, with a long-filler made of tobacco leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region.
To learn more about Vegas Robaina cigars and the history of the brand, we would be delighted to welcome you to our walk-in humidor, where you will find all the brand's special productions as well as cigars from the brand's regular catalogue.
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