Nowhere in the world grows tobacco better than Cuba. But even here, only a few selected Vegas – plantations – are judged good enough to grow the tobacco for Habanos.

As a great wine is defined by its vineyard, a Cuban cigar is defined by the land where the tobacco is grown. The locations for growing Habanos tobacco are strictly limited to certain regions of Cuba and within those regions, only a small number of farms is selected for the exceptional quality of their soil and microclimate, and their skills in growing tobacco.

PINAR DEL RIO

The province that embraces all of the important growing zones in the west of Cuba, and the name of the provincial capital.

It also gives its name to a tobacco region that is protected as a Denomination of Origin (DOP), and in which there are several tobacco zones such as Vuelta Abajo and Semi Vuelta, and districts like San Juan y Martínez and San Luis.

Vuelta Abajo

The finest cigar tobacco-growing land in the world and the main source of tobacco for Habanos. The only region that grows all types of tobacco leaves – wrappers, filler and binders. Only less than a quarter of the area has the status to grow tobacco for Habanos.

Semi Vuelta

The other tobacco region in the west of Cuba, where barely one percent of the tobacco growing land is used for producing binder and filler leaves for Habanos. It also has good soil for producing seeds.

San Juan y Martínez

A small town that has a particular reputation for the cultivation of fillers and binders, and home of the famous Hoyo de Monterrey plantation.

San Luis

A small town at the epicentre of Cuban tobacco culture and known above all for the cultivation of wrapper leaves. Here you find the world-famous El Corojo Vega as well as the Cuchillas de Barbacoa farm.

San Luis is one of the two districts from which the leaves grown on its finest vegas are selected for the Cohiba brand.

PARTIDO

This area specialises in the cultivation of wrapper leaves and has been growing tobacco since the early 17th Century.

REMEDIOS

Cuba’s oldest tobacco producing region boasts of a soil and climate that have their own distinctive character.

VUELTA ARRIBA

Cuba’s largest tobacco producing zone.

It was in the extreme eastern part of this region that Columbus landed in 1492 and discovered Cuban tobacco. Tobacco is still grown here, but not for Habanos.

HAVANA

Capital of Cuba. Although no tobacco is cultivated in Havana, the city gave its name to Cuba’s most famous export because its natural harbour provided the port from which Habanos were originally shipped.

Also, it remains the location of the most famous Habano factories.

Thankfully, we don’t need to travel to Cuba but can easily visit Cohiba Atmosphere Kuala Lumpur for a first-hand Havana cigar experience!

Source: Habanos