Our Story

A Tribute to Tradition

The History

Clandestinos™ is a tribute to the most traditional way of manufacturing cigars: “Custom Rolls.” Prior to the growing of the cigar industry in the 1930’s it was a common practice to see the most exquisite smokers with cigars especially made for them. This tradition was kept through the years in the tobacco plantations at the countryside and small cigar boutiques in the cities. Once the control of the habanos industry went into the hands of the dictatorship of Fidel Castro, the expropriation of the businesses made this practice illegal. Yet, the tradition has survived the regime and kept the art and secrets of the custom rolls in a CLANDESTINE way.

Tradition that endures

The tradition has survived and kept the art and secrets of the custom rolls in a CLANDESTINE way.

The Product

The challenge for us was to present a product that embodies the characteristics of Cuban cigars as far as construction, draw and flavor profile while not counting with the actual Cuban tobacco leaves.

The Heart of Cuba

Fortunately enough, we were in the right place: Little Havana, the heart of Cuba exile in the US. A group of Cuban cigar rollers, blenders and testers from different generations gather with the intention of creating a different type of product.

The Blends

After many frustrating blending sections, we finally caught a break. On the 15th day of blending we had an unlikely contributor, who ended up being a key piece to the final Clandestinos® Product.