Quesada Cigars

The Quesada family started as Cuban tobacco leaf brokers in the late 1800s. Operations moved to the Dominican Republic in 1960 after the Cuban Revolution nationalized their assets, a 13-year-old Manuel “Manolo” Quesada Jr., in tow — founder of what would become Quesada Cigars.

A family-owned premium cigar brand based in the Dominican Republic, Quesada Cigars was founded in June of 1974 by Manuel “Manolo” Quesada Jr. and his family under the original company name, Manufactura de Tabacos S.A., or MATASA. Manuel became the first cigar manufacturer to work out of the Santiago Free Trade Zone in the Dominican Republic, with only one phone, $100 in cash, three cigar rollers, and five bales of tobacco to start. MATASA found immense success producing prominent house brands, as well as manufacturing for American importers.

Casa Magna, a collaborative cigar made with the Plasencia family, achieved the top Cigar of the Year ranking from Cigar Aficionado in 2008, a monumental achievement. The family finally released a cigar bearing their family name in 2009 with the launch of Quesada 35th Anniversary, honoring the brand’s legacy, and celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2024 with a 50th Anniversary cigar to commemorate this important milestone.

MATASA changed its name to Quesada Cigars in 2014, and went through another rebranding in 2026 with the fifth generation of Quesadas taking leadership roles in the company: Raquel and Patricia Quesada, Manuel’s daughters, who were raised in the factory setting. The sisters continue to uphold Quesada’s multi-generational heritage with regular-production lines while also appealing to modern cigar smokers with a refreshed logo and branding.

Quesada’s cigars are celebrated worldwide for their elegant, meticulous quality control and sophisticated, balanced flavor profiles, focusing on a culinary experience when blending to prioritize aroma and complexity.