Hirochi Robaina is back!

[Glass Half Full]

Rob - Did you have a chance to see him (and try one of his cigars) in Dortmund?  

https://halfwheel.com/hirochi-robainas-hr-cigars-brand-returns-with-new-hr-black-line/443388/

[El Presidente]

Brief hello but he was busy as hell at the show itself. I haven't tried his new cigars. 

Most of these guys at Dortmund run on appointments every 30 minutes. Dinners/late night functions is where you have a chance to catch up. I didn't come across him at those. Mind you, I wasn't exactly a shrinking violet. 

[Afficionado1]

Saw him in Kreuzlingen (just before Dordmund). Smoked the light and medium cigar. The light one was indeed light, the medium one was on the strong side. The strong ones are 9,5/10 strong they told me. So a big power stick.  Not bad for a non Cuban but then again, not a Cuban 🙂

Edited September 24, 2024 by Afficionado1

[Wookie]

I bought a few boxes of these HR NCs years ago when they were deeply discounted by a Philadelphia place. Apparently they weren’t selling at MSRP which was around $18/stick. They were somewhat smokable but I ended up donating them to a veterans cause. BTW Havana Famosos one of my all time favorites. 

[Lamboinee]

So intrigued by his return to the Non-Cuban market.

 

[JohnS]

11 hours ago, Lamboinee said:

So intrigued by his return to the Non-Cuban market.

[JohnS]

Hirochi Robaina’s HR Cigars Lands in Europe

March 21, 2025 - Charlie Minato

Last fall, HR Cigars—the cigar brand from Hirochi Robaina—made a surprise comeback after years of dormancy. This month, the cigars are landing on shelves in Europe.

HR Cigars White and Signature lines have already gone on sale in Germany and The Netherlands. Next week, France and Hungary are expected to receive the cigars. While the other three countries are receiving just part of the brand’s portfolio, Hungarian retailers will have access to the company’s entire line including Blue, Signature, White and the new HR Black.

Robaina is the grandson of the late Alejandro Robaina, the famed tobacco grower whose prominence remains unparalleled in Cuba. Habanos S.A. created the Vegas Robaina brand, the lone example of a modern Cuban cigar named after a living person.

In 2014, he teamed up with Cubanacan to create a brand of Nicaraguan cigars that were sold in the U.S. Less than a year after launching in the U.S., problems emerged as Cubanacan was in disputes with the family that was making the cigars in Nicaragua. Many parts of the dispute were related to Robaina and HR Cigars.

The dispute was settled in 2016 and HR Cigars continued to be sold in the U.S., though by a different distribution company. By 2020, the brand’s American distributor was dormant. While a return to the American market is expected, a new distributor has not been announced.

The following companies are handling distribution for Europe:

• France — Eurotab
• Germany — Cigarworld
• Hungary — Alföld Tabak Kft
• The Netherlands — Small Batch Traders B.V.

“Reviving HR Cigars is about more than just bringing back a brand—it’s about reigniting a passion for authentic, handcrafted cigars that tell a story,” said Hirochi Robaina in a press release distributed by Small Batch Brokers B.V. last fall “We are dedicated to preserving the traditions that have made this brand iconic while embracing innovations that enhance the experience for both seasoned connoisseurs and new enthusiasts alike.”

The new HR Black Line uses an Ecuadorian habano over a Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan fillers. The company says that this is the strongest cigar in the portfolio.

The HR Black is offered in three vitolas:

• HR Black Short Toro (4 1/8 x 55)
• HR Black Small Toro (4 3/4 x 55)
• HR Black Extra Toro (5 7/ 8 x 55)

Source: https://halfwheel.com/hirochi-robainas-hr-cigars-lands-in-europe/448514/