A true cigar aficionado would be a well-rounded smoker. Countries like Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Brazil come to mind as making premier cigars. But there’s a tobacco producing country that one hardly ever thinks of when it comes to fine cigars. A country with a long and storied past, and that’s the Philippines.
The origins of the first tobacco seeds came in 1592 when the Spanish Galleon San Clemente docked in Manila Bay with 50 Kilos (110 lbs) of Cuban tobacco seed from Mexico, which was part of the Spanish trade route. The first seeds were planted by Catholic Friars in the Cagayan Valley in the province of Isabella. With a climate similar to Cuba’s famed Vuelta Abajo region in Pinar del Rio, the tobacco soon began to flourish and a new source of income was introduced to Spain.
During the 17th and 18th century, tobacco became a source of national pride amongst Filipinos and smoking cigars was commonplace in Filipino families. Philippine-made cigars became well known in Europe’s smoking parlours. In the early part of the 18th century, however, King Carlos III of Spain established the tobacco monopoly of the Philippines in order to make the colony more financially independent. This left the population resentful. Cigars were once free, but now had to be purchased.
In 1881 King Alfonso III abolished the monopoly and later in the same year Antonio Lopez Lopez founded the Comparilla General de Tobacco Filipinas S.A., better known as Flor de la Isabella. Its state-of-the-art factory was built in 1895.
The latter part of the 19th and early 20th century saw the Philippine cigar industry boom and the factory of La Flor de la Isabella employed over 5000 people. With the onset of World War II in the Pacific, it set the tobacco industry back and with the Liberation of the Philippines by the United States, the trend turned from cigars to American cigarettes.
Filipino cigars have fallen into the shadows of their South and Central American counterparts, but I’ve always loved Filipino cigars. Light, fresh, aromatic, well… just darn tasty! Some Filipino cigars are wrapped in a Sumatra leaf which will lend a little more of a spicy note to the smoke, and recently La Flor de la Isabella released their Perique line. The name lends to the fact that these cigars are made with Perique tobacco from St. James Parish in Louisiana, which is known more for being a pipe tobacco and adds a heartier taste to the cigar.
Although not as easy to come by in tobacco shops, Filipino cigars are a real treat. Look out for brand names such as Calixto Lopez, Tabacalera, Tabaqueria Filipina, and Alhambra. You’ll be pleasantly surprised that Filipino cigars that I’ve come across are in the price range of $4- $10 dollars. An absolute steal at those prices. Do not hesitate if you ever come across one. You won’t regret it!
Here are a few cigars to start with: Calixto Lopez, Isabela, Independencia, and Flor de Filipinos
Nice article Steve! Interesting history lesson on the Filipino cigar. Can’t wait to try that Calixto Lopez.
thank you Sandro!
I used to get Calixto Lopez sticks for $1.25-$1.50 each. They were my every day smoke. Also loved the Fighting Cock in the late 90s early 2000s. Impossible to find now and I don’t think they use Filipino tobacco anymore.
Hey Roland, yes indeed, once you try these, you become a believer. Great price vs quality. Whisky Cafe & Cigars in Montreal carries the Calixto Lopez and a brand called AZ from Philipines.
here is their cigar menu:
https://whiskycafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Whisky-Cafe-CIGAR-MENU.pdf
Hi and would you know if in 1592 when the Spanish bought Cuban seed from Mexico was it seed from plants grown in Cuba or Mexico. I’m trying to learn more about cigar growing in the Philippines and can’t find if there has ever been real 1st generation Cuban seed grown here.
I’m an Australian living in the Philippines and have been in the cigar industry for well over 30 years now.
Thank you ,
Wal Baranow.
walbaranow@me.com
Hello Wal, thank you for the comment.
the history shows that the Spanish Galleon San Clemente brought 50 Kilos of CUban tobacco seed over. So, yes it seems it is first generation Cuban seed. Hope that helps. Which Philippines cigars do you enjoy?
Hello Antonio, I’m 27 years old and wanted to try cigars for the first time. It seems like its a forgotten culture here in my country, I’d like to know more about Philippine cigars.
hello Louis! this article has a nice summary. you can start with Calixto Lopez, Tabaclera. those brands offer good quality
[…] As some of our readers have come to know, our team of writers enjoy cigars from the Philippines. They have a rich tobacco history and are continuously producing fine cigars. For a brief history of Philippines cigars, visit an earlier article written by our colleague Steve Chioda SEE ARTICLE. https://www.cubanhouseofcigars.com/lost-treasure-the-long-history-of-tobacco-in-the-philippines/ […]
Tobacco certainly has quite the history in the Philippines; of course, I’ve only learned about this. However, I would love to have more information on it all though.
I had no idea that tobacco had such a rich history in the Philippines, but that’s just the case. All in all, I’ve never enjoyed reading about tobacco quite as much as I have right now.
Thank you Gregory for the feedback. If you haven’t yet, perhaps give a try to the Calixto Lopez brand. Good quality vs price indeed.
I’m continually impressed by your ability to dive deep into subjects with grace and clarity. Your articles are both informative and enjoyable to read, a rare combination. Your blog is a valuable resource, and I’m grateful for it.
thank you!