In 1961, José Garcia was eleven, and he already had his first real job in cigars. He worked at his uncle’s factory in Baez, Cuba.
Humble beginnings.
Over the years, he honed his skills as a torcedor (cigar roller) until they were otherworldly. Often referred to as a “magician” by the Cuban press, he could produce ridiculous quantities of excellent cigars in record time. In fact, he won the Productivity Prize for rolling 320 Julietas in just four hours.
But of course, there’s so much more to making cigars than just… making cigars. As the decades rolled by, “Don Pepin,” as he came to be known, ultimately became a Tabaquero Maestro (Master Blender), and was also a “teacher of teachers” on the topics of blending and rolling cigars. He helped blend cigars for legendary brands like Cohiba, Partagas, and Montecristo.
Eventually, it was time to leave the nest, and make a new home where so many Cubans have found a warm welcome: Miami. In 2002, the El Rey de Los Habanos cigar company was started. First, it was a small operation, but after a blend produced for a young rock musician named Pete Johnson took off, everything changed. Tatuaje Cabinet Tainos hit #4 on Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 list in 2005, earning 93 points from the judges, and Don Pepin was on his way up.
In Cuba, they knew him well. Now the rest of the cigar world did, too.
Production was moved to Nicaragua and the venture took on a new name. In fact, it was a blend made by Don Pepin’s son Jaime that provided the name for the rebranded company: My Father Cigars. When the company’s Flor de las Antillas line earned Cigar of the Year honors in 2012, it cemented Don Pepin’s place at the top of the industry and among the world’s best blenders. When it happened again in 2015, this time for the My Father Le Bijou 1922 line, it made him a legend. It’s no mystery why so many ask him for blends, and why cigars for Tatuaje, L'Atelier, San Cristobal, La Aroma de Cuba, and others can all trace their roots back to Don Pepin.
Cuban style cigars, made from tobacco grown in the rich soil of Nicaragua… the master made his choice, and now the most discriminating aficionados hang on every puff.
Please browse our selection of My Father cigars at your leisure.
