Cigar Brands Explained: Romeo y Julieta, Montecristo, Cohiba & More

Walk into any cigar shop and you'll encounter a wall of names — Cohiba, Montecristo, Partagas, Romeo y Julieta, Bolivar. Each brand has its own history, character, and devoted following. But what actually sets them apart? Here's your guide to the most iconic Cuban cigar brands and what makes each one special.

Romeo y Julieta

Character: Mild to medium | Best for: Beginners and everyday smoking

Founded in Havana in 1875, Romeo y Julieta is one of the most recognisable cigar brands in the world — and for good reason. Named after Shakespeare's famous lovers, these cigars are celebrated for their elegance, consistency, and approachability. The flavour profile is typically smooth and creamy, with notes of cedar, light spice, and subtle sweetness.

Romeo y Julieta is the perfect entry point into Cuban cigars. The brand offers an enormous range of formats, from the tiny Petit Julietas to the grand Churchill — a format the brand actually helped popularise (Sir Winston Churchill was famously devoted to them).

Try: Romeo y Julieta No.2 Tubos — a classic medium-sized smoke with excellent construction and a satisfying, balanced flavour.

Montecristo

Character: Medium | Best for: Those ready to step up from mild cigars

Montecristo is arguably the most famous Cuban cigar brand in the world. Founded in 1935 and named after Alexandre Dumas' novel The Count of Monte Cristo (a favourite among the factory's readers), it has become the benchmark against which other Cuban cigars are measured.

Montecristo cigars are known for their impeccable construction, consistent quality, and a flavour profile that balances earthiness, cedar, and a distinctive creamy nuttiness. The No.4 is the world's best-selling Cuban cigar — a testament to how universally appealing the brand is.

Try: Montecristo Edmondo — a modern addition to the range with a rich, full flavour. Or start with the Montecristo 5 Puritos for a shorter, more accessible introduction to the brand.

Cohiba

Character: Medium to full | Best for: Special occasions and experienced smokers

Cohiba is Cuba's prestige brand — created in 1966 originally for Fidel Castro and Cuban government officials before being released to the public in 1982. The name comes from the Taino word for tobacco, and the brand carries an air of exclusivity that no other Cuban marque can quite match.

What sets Cohiba apart is its unique triple fermentation process, which gives the tobacco an extra level of refinement and complexity. The flavour profile is rich and complex — dark chocolate, coffee, leather, and a distinctive creaminess that develops beautifully throughout the smoke.

Try: Cohiba Wide Shorts — a shorter format that delivers the full Cohiba experience in a more accessible timeframe.

Partagas

Character: Medium to full | Best for: Those who prefer bold, earthy flavours

Founded in 1845, Partagas is one of Cuba's oldest and most storied brands. Where Romeo y Julieta is elegant and Montecristo is refined, Partagas is robust and earthy — a working man's cigar that has earned the respect of connoisseurs worldwide.

Partagas cigars are known for their strong, complex flavours: dark earth, leather, pepper, and a distinctive woody backbone. They're not for the faint-hearted, but for those who appreciate bold tobacco, they're deeply satisfying.

Try: Partagas Serie D No.5 — a shorter Robusto format that delivers the full Partagas character in a manageable size. Or for something truly unique, the Partagas Culebras — three cigars twisted together in a traditional format rarely seen today.

Bolivar

Character: Full | Best for: Experienced smokers seeking intensity

Named after South American liberator Simón Bolívar, this brand is not for beginners. Bolivar cigars are among the strongest and most full-bodied in the Cuban portfolio — rich, powerful, and complex, with notes of dark earth, coffee, and pepper that linger long after the smoke is finished.

Try: Bolivar Petit Coronas — our staff pick, and a great way to experience the Bolivar character without committing to a longer smoke.

Punch

Character: Medium to full | Best for: Value-conscious aficionados

Punch is one of Cuba's oldest brands, founded in 1840 and originally created for the British market (hence the name, taken from the famous British satirical magazine). It offers excellent quality at a more accessible price point than the prestige brands, making it a favourite among those who smoke regularly.

Try: Punch 48 Speciality — a wider ring gauge cigar that delivers a smooth, full-flavoured smoke with excellent value.

Which Brand is Right for You?

Here's a quick summary to help you choose:

• New to cigars? Start with Romeo y Julieta or Montecristo.
• Want something special? Cohiba is the prestige choice.
• Prefer bold flavours? Partagas or Bolivar.
• Looking for value? Punch delivers quality without the premium price tag.
• Want to try several? Our Premium Cuban Cigar Collection Sampler is the perfect way to explore multiple brands in one purchase.

Browse our full range of Cuban cigars available to buy in the UK at Bourbon Blackpool, and don't hesitate to get in touch for a personal recommendation.