Cigar Making in Little Havana, Miami
Origins: Cuba to Miami
Before the Cuban Revolution, Cuba was the undisputed capital of premium cigar production, with brands like Cohiba, Montecristo, and Partagás dominating the world market. Havana’s factories were legendary for their hand-rolled cigars, made by skilled torcedores (cigar rollers).
When Fidel Castro’s government nationalized private businesses in the early 1960s, many cigar makers—factory owners, rollers, and blenders—fled the country, bringing their tools, tobacco knowledge, and recipes to the U.S.
📍 Birth of Little Havana
In the 1960s and ’70s, thousands of Cuban exiles settled in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood, especially along Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street). It quickly became a cultural stronghold where Cuban identity and enterprise thrived.
Cigar shops and factories began popping up on street corners and storefronts, recreating the "Havana of the past" in miniature. The cigar industry helped provide jobs, cultural connection, and identity to the newly displaced community.
🛠️ Traditional Craftsmanship Lives On
Cigars in Little Havana are still made by hand, using centuries-old methods. The rolling tables, chavetas (cutting blades), and humidors reflect the tools of Havana’s golden era. Some local shops still read news to rollers as was traditional in Cuba’s factories.
Famous Little Havana cigar houses include:
El Titan de Bronze – Still hand-rolling cigars on Calle Ocho today
La Gloria Cubana – One of the first Little Havana brands to gain national fame (now produced elsewhere)
Casa Habano, Cuba Tobacco Cigar Co., and Little Havana Cigar Factory
📈 Revival & Cultural Tourism
Today, cigar making in Little Havana is not just an industry — it’s a living museum and cultural ritual. Shops offer:
Live rolling demonstrations
Custom cigar blending
Cuban coffee pairings
Tours for visitors interested in the art and politics of cigars
The annual Calle Ocho Festival and visits to places like Domino Park and the Cuban Memorial Boulevard keep this part of Cuban-American culture alive.
🔥 Fun Fact:
The embargo on Cuban tobacco means Little Havana cigars are made with Dominican, Nicaraguan, Ecuadorian, or Honduran tobacco—but the heart and hands remain Cuban.
Top Cigar Shops in Little Havana, Miami
1. El Titan de Bronze
📍 1071 SW 8th St, Miami, FL
🕰️ Family-owned, hand-rolled on site
💨 Signature: Titan Redemption Series, Grand Reserve
🎯 Why Go: Authentic factory with Cuban rollers; you can watch them hand-roll cigars in front of you.
Fun fact: Some of the best boutique cigar brands in the U.S. are made here for other labels.
2. Cuba Tobacco Cigar Co.
📍 1528 SW 8th St
👴 Run by the Bello family, 3rd generation Cuban cigar makers
💨 Signature: Bello Natural
🎯 Why Go: Charming, unpretentious shop with deep family roots in Cuban cigar history. You’ll often find the owner rolling at the front table.
3. Little Havana Cigar Factory
📍 1501 SW 8th St
🛋️ Boutique vibe, upscale interior
💨 Signature: Don Rey, The Presidente
🎯 Why Go: High-end lounge + retail combo. Great for gifts or an elevated cigar shopping experience.
4. La Tradición Cubana
📍 Coral Way (just off Little Havana)
💨 Signature: Reserva Familiar, Gloria de Habana
🎯 Why Go: A hidden gem for serious smokers. Known for using rare blends and traditional Cuban techniques.
🍹 Best Pairings: Cigar + Coffee + Rum
☕ Cuban Coffee Pairings
Cafecito (Espresso with sugar) → Pairs well with bold maduros or sun-grown cigars
Café con leche → Great with milder Connecticut-wrapped cigars
Cortadito → Good middle ground; balances spice and creaminess
Pair your cigar stop with a visit to La Colada Gourmet (1518 SW 8th St) — a coffee bar dedicated to Cuban brewing traditions.
🥃 Rum Pairings (found at local bars or to take home)
Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva – Sweet and rich; pairs well with spicy or leathery cigars
Ron Zacapa 23 – Smooth with caramel notes; ideal with aged cigars
Havana Club Añejo Clásico (Puerto Rican version) – Great with any Cuban-style cigar
Try them at:
Ball & Chain (1513 SW 8th St) — Historic Cuban nightclub with a great bar
Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina (1442 SW 8th St) — Classic mojitos and full rum menu
