One of the most popular brands produced in Jamaica.

Cigars grown in Jamaica developed a high reputation for quality and by the 1960s, when Cuban cigars were banned in the United States, they were considered an apt alternative. Founded in 1935 by James Frederick Gore, the company had to transfer their production to the Dominican Republic after Hurricane Gilbert destroyed their factory in Kingston and 1,000 acres of tobacco. Prior to this crippling event, the most popular brands produced in Jamaica were Macanudo, Royal Jamaica, Crème de Jamaica, and Palomino.  

Purchased the year before a major storm destroyed the Jamaican cigar industry, these Royal Jamaica cigars  from the late 80s are a remarkable find. They were famous for using a combination of materials to treat their tobaccos called Bethune in order to keep their leaves resilient. This typically consists of a mixture of herbs, wine, and rum. It’s a process that other cigar manufacturers utilize as well but is rarely discussed. These large, Churchill sized Royal Jamaica’s are all in mint condition and smoke wonderfully. Mellow to medium-bodied, these relatively young vintage cigars consist of Cuban-seed tobacco grown in Jamaica and offer a very smooth, fragrant, and woody flavor profile.