With an embargo between the United States and Cuba that has persisted since 1958, the Dominican Republic has served as one of the largest exporters of premium cigars to the U.S., shipping over 118.5 million cigars in 2017 alone according to Cigar Aficianado, just shortly behind Nigaragua. Since the embargo, which made it illegal for U.S. corporations to do business with Cuba, many major Cuban cigar makers like La Aurora, Arturo Fuente and Montecristo chose to leave and reestablish themselves in places like Miami, Honduras, Nicaragua or the Dominican Republic throughout the 1960’s. Today the Dominican Republic has become the world’s largest producer of handmade cigars.

Tobacco: An Early History

Upon his second voyage to the New World in 1496, Christopher Columbus revisited western Hispanola, which is now known as the Dominican Republic. To his surprise, he discovered that the Taino Indians of Hispanola were smoking leaves of cured tobacco. “Cohiba” they called it. Thus, the Dominican Republic is where tobacco was first discovered by western culture. Today, tobacco remains as much a part of Dominican history as ever, largely due to it’s fresh and consistently warm, humid tropical climate that boasts a rich, fertile soil that is ideal for growing the some of the best tobacco in the world. The primary growing region is near the city of Santiago in the country’s northern half. For cigar enthusiasts, the Dominican Republic has become a prime destination to experience a culture that has it’s roots deeply planted in tobacco and cigars. Amongst it’s major cities, Punta Cana is it’s busiest tourist spot today, and one of the best locations to purchase cigars and tour some of the factories they’re meticulously assembled in.

Today, tobacco remains as much a part of Dominican history as ever, largely due to it’s fresh and consistently warm, humid tropical climate that boasts a rich, fertile soil that is ideal for growing the some of the best tobacco in the world.”

Don Lucas Cigars

For our trip we ventured off of the Avenida Barceló in Punta Cana to reach the Don Lucas Factory which is situated within the Edificio Mundo Autentico complex that also features the Oliver Museo (museum) Del Ron (of rum) and tasting room, a Dominican coffee factory and cafe as well as a beautiful jewelry boutique that specializes in the rare blue larimar stone that is found only in the Dominican. Don Lucas was established in 1992 by Belgian-born Philippe Gillet, and today produces 14 different cigar sizes with 5 different strengths. Recently Golf & Travel magazine ranked Don Lucas Cigars in the top 12 brands to be found in the Dominican Republic. 

Upon entering the factory, we were warmly received by head guide Andreas, who without hesitation instantly offered us a premium hand rolled cigar of our choice (I chose a beautiful mild Churchill) and provided an in-depth explanation of how cigars are rolled at Don Lucas, from the aged tobacco used as filler, wrapper and binder, to the beautiful finished product, all expertly assembled by a hard-working group of torcedores (cigar rollers). Within the factory floor, the master torcedor Ernesto (and eldest gentleman in the room) was situated up at the front and center, a seat earned from years of rolling and honing his craft. Also to note is that practically all torcedores were actively smoking cigars while they worked, effortlessly managing smoking and rolling as well as you and I can chew gum and walk.

I enjoyed my cigar down into the second third as I watched the Master torcedor put the finishing touches on cigars that were now ready for aging, all while chatting with Andreas about how his wife demanded that he move the family back to the Dominican after briefly relocating to Philadelphia which she found to be too busy and lacking the peace, quiet and sunshine that can be found in the the Dominican. After leaving the rolling floor, it was nice to take my cigar wherever I went within the complex which is encouraged here, instead of being frowned upon.

Among their many varieties, Don Lucas is most known for it’s H.S. Series, a medium-bodied cigar that mixes a slightly floral flavor from a sumatra wrapper with the spicy taste of pure Dominican filler and binder. It’s a favorite amongst visitors to the factory and can be purchased individually or by box from their large, walk-in humidor. The complex also boasts a rum museum and relaxing tasting room called Oliver where you can enjoy a cigar while sampling their many varieties of Dominican Rum, ranging from $20 to $375 USD a bottle. To sip, I chose the aged Barceló Onyx, a premium amber rum made by one of the two largest rum brands on the island (Barceló and Brugal).

A Hidden Gem

Though the Dominican Republic is known for sending tourists home in droves with many of the larger cigar brands like Macanudo or La Aurora, Don Lucas is an excellent boutique brand favored by the in-the-know locals of Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic, who know it’s a well-kept secret in terms quality and taste and is generally affordable. Don Lucas can be found in popular retailers like Holts and Cigars International as well as in many trusted tobacconists across North American and Europe.

Being able to see first hand where these wonderful cigars are made and the many friendly faces that roll them was a treat and a hot afternoon well spent in the Beautiful Dominican Republic.

– Kurt Bradley