Sancho Panza

About

Sancho Panza Cigars There is a strong tradition of Cuban cigars being named after heroes of classical literature, and Sancho Panza cigars are a prime example. In 1848 this brand was established in Havana – making it one of the oldest still in production – and adopted the mantle of Don Quixote de La Mancha’s famous companion. An image of the humble farmer who accompanied Don Quixote on his adventures still graces the boxes of Sancho Panza today, flanked on either side by artistic renderings of some of his escapades. Perhaps the idea of an everyday character providing logic and reason in the face of his employer’s growing insanity resonated particularly closely with the working-class torcedores of the mid-19 th century, leading to them choosing his name for the brand - whatever the reason, the reference is still a popular one, almost 200 years hence. Like so many Habanos brands of a similar age, much of the history of Sancho Panza cigars is lost to the mists of time. What we do know is that in 1848, from a factory at 48 Angeles Street in Havana, a gentleman by the name of Don Emilio Ohmstead registered a new brand and began producing cigars. His initial efforts were not too well rewarded, and by the end of the century (some time around 1898) the company had closed down. Something about the name must have continued to hold the affection of some important figures in the cigar world, however, for just a few years later the brand was re-introduced under the stewardship of Ramon Allones , before being sold to the Rey del Mundo company around 1940. It was in this period that the popularity of Sancho Panza cigars saw a marked increase – especially in the Spanish market, no doubt a reaction to the use of arguably their greatest literary export for the name – and the presence of the brand was properly established. Like all other producers, the marca was nationalised in 1960 by the new revolutionary government. Today’s line-up of Sancho Panza cigars is almost unrecognisable fro