Guillermo Rico founded the boutique value brand Gran Habano Cigars in 2003 with the rollout of three lines that would become the company's core. They made sure to include something for everyone in the launch—one mild, one medium, and one full-bodied offering. Gran Habano operates on the belief that the best way to build its business is patiently and steadily through strategic exposure of its products in the market. The brand is known for its devotion to traditional cigar production techniques. As is common among most popular cigar brands, attention to detail and strict adherence to quality control are of the utmost importance.
One can trace the cigar roots of the Rico family back to the 1920s and Guillermo’s grandfather growing dark tobacco in Columbia. Guillermo’s father took over the family business in 1946. Guillermo would follow his father around the fields all day, soaking up all the cigar tobacco knowledge he could. At the time, his mother owned a small cigar factory where he undoubtedly picked up numerous lessons. This same generational knowledge was passed down to George Rico.
Today George runs the show and is behind many of the best-selling Gran Habano cigars, including the G.A.R. line named for his initials. Primarily making up the Gran Habano portfolio are cigars crafted in Honduras that are medium to full in body and chock full of robust spice.
One of the best known Gran Habano cigars is the Gran Habano 3 Siglos which uses powerful Ligero from Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Colombia in its filler blend to help deliver a spicy and complex smoke that received a 92 rating from Cigar Aficionado as well as securing a spot in its top 25 cigars of 2007. Another is the Gran Habano best-seller—which has remained in regular production since 2003—the full-strength Gran Habano Corojo No. 5, which features a red-hued Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper. Gran Habano states the No. 5 is their most beloved blend.
And of course, there is the Gran Habano Vintage 2002, which uses the same rare wrapper leaf as the Gran Habano No. 5 Corojo. However, the 2002 leaves were stockpiled after the huge success of the No. 5, and they aged for another eight years, and let us tell you, during those extra eight years, some magical things happened to improve a cigar that many believed was already beyond perfection.
Whatever your pleasure is, Gran Habano cigars offer you a way to get that and more.
