Quesada Cigars

Brand History

The Quesada family’s journey in the tobacco industry began over a century ago in Cuba, where they originally worked as bakers. In the late 1800s, a debt was repaid to them in tobacco, sparking a generational shift that led them deep into the leaf trade. By 1929, the family set out to source new tobaccos and established roots in the Dominican Republic, though their primary manufacturing remained in Havana until the 1960s. Eventually, they formed Manufactura de Tabacos, S.A. (MATASA) in Santiago, officially shifting their legacy to the heart of the Dominican Republic, where fifth-generation tobacco man Manuel “Manolo” Quesada now runs the operation alongside his daughters and niece.

The general flavor profile of a Quesada cigar is celebrated for its dynamic range and precise balance, heavily influenced by prime Dominican terroir. Depending on the blend, the strength can range from an easygoing, mild-medium to a heavy, full-bodied smoke packed with potent ligero. The standard tasting notes often showcase a warm foundation of sweet cedar, roasted coffee, and earth, accented by varying degrees of baking spices and leather. The brand’s Master Blender meticulously ferments every leaf to remove any harshness, ensuring that each puff delivers a smooth, highly nuanced session from the first light to the final nub.

A remarkable fact about the brand is that Manuel Quesada was actually the very first man to set up a cigar manufacturing factory in the Santiago Free Trade Zone back in 1975, starting with just three rollers. Today, that facility employs over 300 skilled artisans. To guarantee that this rich family history reaches you in peak condition, Cigar Country stores every single box in our specialized humidor facilities. We strictly maintain a flawless 70/70 climate control environment, ensuring the ambient moisture and temperature perfectly preserve the delicate oils of the wrapper before they ship directly to your door. 

Featured Blends & Ratings

Quesada 1974: is a medium-bodied tribute to the year the family officially moved their operations to the Dominican Republic. It utilizes a Ecuador Cameroon wrapper placed over a Dominican binder and a complex filler blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan leaves. This creates incredibly smooth tasting notes of cedar, roasted nuts, and a touch of sweet spice. Available in sought-after vitolas like Corona, Lancero, Robusto, and Toro, this remarkably consistent smoke guarantees an even burn. This blend has earned more than 85 points from Cigar Aficionado.

Quesada 40th Anniversary: is a rich, medium-bodied celebration of MATASA’s decades of success in the industry. It features a dark, toothy Mexico San Andres wrapper hugging a premium Dominican binder and Dominican filler. The resulting profile delivers dense tasting notes of dark cocoa, black pepper, and sweet earth. Offered in classic sizes such as Robusto, Toro, and Giant, it provides an exceptionally balanced draw from start to finish. This blend has received ratings exceeding 80 points from Cigar Aficionado.

Quesada Keg: is a medium-full powerhouse specifically blended to pair with heavy stouts and craft beers. It boasts a rugged Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper over a robust binder and filler combination sourced from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The flavor profile pushes heavy strikes of dark chocolate, leather, and espresso. You can find this blend in thick vitolas like Toro, Belicoso, and Lonsdale, perfect for a long evening smoke.

Quesada Oktoberfest: is a full-strength seasonal favorite engineered to complement the malty sweetness of traditional Bavarian beers. Crafted entirely as a Dominican puro, it features a heavy Dominican wrapper, binder, and filler packed with potent ligero. The tasting notes are incredibly thick, offering layers of rich earth, toasted malt, and a heavy spice on the retrohale. Available in robust sizes like Robusto, Torpedo, Toro, Perfecto, and Giant, it always delivers a sharp burn. This blend consistently earns ratings above 86 points from Cigar Aficionado.

Quesada Petites: offer a quick, mild-medium smoking session for aficionados short on time but unwilling to compromise on quality. Wrapped, bound, and filled entirely with premium Dominican tobacco, these small cigarillos deliver a creamy, straightforward profile with light tasting notes of wood and sweet cream. Packaged in Cigarrillo size, they are perfect for a morning coffee break.

Quesada Reserva Privada;  is an elegant, medium-bodied smoke that highlights some of the oldest, most carefully aged tobacco in the factory’s aging room. It uses a silky Ecuador Connecticut wrapper over a vintage 1997 Dominican binder and a filler blend of Dominican San Vicente and Pennsylvania Ligero. The tasting notes are highly refined, featuring sweet cream, vanilla, and cedar. Produced in vitolas like Toro and Robusto, it offers a flawless draw. This blend has scored more than 86 points from Cigar Aficionado.

Quesada Reserva Privada Barber Pole: is a visually striking, full-bodied smoke that offers incredible complexity. It features a dual wrapper of light Connecticut Shade and dark Connecticut Broadleaf, carefully rolled over a premium Dominican binder and filler. This contrast creates a dynamic profile that shifts between creamy cedar and sweet, peppery earth throughout the smoke. Available in classic shapes like Robusto and Toro, it ensures a memorable finish. This blend has received ratings ranging from 86 points from Cigar Aficionado.

Quesada Reserva Privada Oscuro: is a full-strength variation of the vintage line, geared toward seasoned palates. It swaps the original wrapper for a thick, oily Connecticut Broadleaf, layered over the same aged 1997 Dominican binder and filler. The tasting notes are profoundly deep, pushing heavy espresso, dark chocolate, and black pepper. Offered in popular vitolas such as Double Corona and Toro, it is a heavy hitter for the evening. Cigars in this blend have earned more than 87 points from Cigar Aficionado.

Quesada Seleccion España: was originally blended exclusively for the Spanish market before finding its way to humidors worldwide. This medium-bodied smoke features an Ecuador wrapper over a Dominican binder and a mix of Dominican and Nicaraguan filler. It delivers incredibly nuanced tasting notes of cafe con leche, mild pepper, and sweet baking spices. Available in Robusto and Corona sizes, it offers a perfectly balanced session. This blend continues to receive ratings above 85 points from Cigar Aficionado.

Quesada Tributo: is a medium-full blend created to honor family members who have passed on. It utilizes a rich Ecuador Habano wrapper over a Honduran binder and a robust mix of Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers. The flavor profile is bold and hearty, offering striking notes of roasted nuts, black pepper, and leather. You can secure this blend in Petit Corona, Torpedo, Robusto, and Toro formats, ensuring a sharp burn and cool draw. This blend is consistently rated between 86 and 91 points by Cigar Aficionado.