胡安洛佩茲

A True Connoisseur's Brand for Aged Cigars

If Cohiba is the cigar of the Revolution, Por Larrañaga is the oldest cigar, and Fonseca is the tissue-wrapped legend, then Juan López is the "cigar for true connoisseurs" - a legendary Cuban niche brand founded in 1876, with 8 sizes before the Revolution, reduced to 2 regular-production cigars after the Revolution, known on enthusiast forums as "the Cuban brand that most needs aging", and only joining the elite LCDH Exclusive lineup in 2020.

The story begins in Havana in 1876.

1876: Learn First, Then Make

Juan López was founded in 1876 by the Spanish businessman Juan López Sena (also known as Juan López Díaz) on Calle de los Dragones in Havana.

López spent 6 hard years accumulating knowledge in the tobacco industry before registering the brand - a rare case in the cigar world of "learning first, then making." Most cigar brand founders started from scratch, such as José Gener of Hoyo de Monterrey and Ignacio Larrañaga of Por Larrañaga, but López first immersed himself in the study of tobacco before founding his brand. From the very beginning, Juan López therefore carried a strong "tobacco-school" character.

The brand's original name was "La Flor de Juan López" (The Flower of Juan López), later simplified to "Juan López." "La Flor de" (the flower of...) was a common naming prefix for Cuban cigars in the 19th century.

The Cigar Box with Mialhe Landscape Art

The artwork on Juan López cigar boxes is believed to have been inspired by the French landscape artist Federico Mialhe, who visited Cuba between 1838 and 1854 and created 3 sets of Cuban landscape prints.

Mialhe was one of the most important European artists to document Cuba in the 19th century - his works introduced Cuban scenery to Europe. Juan López using Mialhe's prints as the visual foundation of the brand is representative of 19th-century "Cuban cultural export."

A History of Three Transfers of Ownership

In 1900, founder Juan López Díaz passed away - a pivotal moment in the brand's history.

In 1908, the brand passed to his heirs, the Sena family, who continued its operation.

In 1918, the brand was sold to Sociedad Cosme Del Peso y Cía, an independent tobacco company. At the time, the Juan López product line included 8 sizes:

• Petit Coronas
• Coronas
• Panetelas Superba
• Patricias
• Epicures
• Panetelas de Luxe
• Titanias
• Très Petit Coronas

In September 1960, the revolutionary government nationalized the brand and factory. Today, Juan López is produced at La Habana Factory in Havana (some sources refer to El Habanero).

A Major Post-Revolution Reduction

After the Revolution, the brand underwent a major reduction - most of its original 8-plus sizes were discontinued in the 1970s, with only a few lasting into the late 2000s. Today, the regular line has only 2 cigars (Selección No.1 and No.2), making it one of the most niche regular brands in the Habanos system.

But this reduction did not mean the brand disappeared. Instead, it turned Juan López into a "collector's brand": small production, not widely present in mainstream channels, and easier to find in certain regions, especially Andorra, the United Kingdom, and Asia-Pacific.

1990s Revival: Selección No.1 and No.2

Juan López Selección No.1 (Robusto, 5" × 50, vitola: Robustos) - released in the early 1990s. One of the representative sizes of the modern Cuban Robusto. It has excellent aging potential - usually reaching its best condition only after 3-5 years of aging.

Juan López Selección No.2 (Corona Gorda, 5⅝" × 46, vitola: Coronas Gordas) - released in the early 1990s. It made a major contribution to the popularity of the "Coronas Gordas" and "Robustos" formats among enthusiasts - and was a key driver of the Coronas Gordas revival in the 1990s. It requires 3-5 years of aging to show its full flavor.

These two cigars brought Juan López back into the view of enthusiasts from being an "almost forgotten brand."

2020: Joining the LCDH Exclusive Elite

Juan López Selección Especial LCDH (Fortunas, 6¾" × 52, vitola: Fortunas, 170 × 52mm) - in 2020, the brand joined the elite lineup of "LCDH Exclusive Brands" - an honor enjoyed by only a very small number of brands in the Habanos system.

Interestingly, this Fortunas size had previously been used in 2009 for the Selección Suprema RE Reino Unido - making it a special case of an "RE size upgraded into an LCDH regular."

In the 21st century, Juan López has experienced a "rise in status." As enthusiasts' interest in "aged cigars" has increased, Juan López's characteristic of "needing aging" has turned from a disadvantage into an advantage. Today, enthusiast forums continue to hold Juan López in positive regard.

Flavor: A True Connoisseur's Brand That Needs Aging

Juan López flavor: medium to full strength - a "mildly vigorous Cuban flavor."

Characteristic flavors: cedar, leather, spice, cream, fresh wood, and a light coffee finish. The wrapper is distinctive, complex yet delicate - "all flavors are balanced, with no single flavor overpowering the others."

But this "balance" only appears after aging. When smoked fresh, Juan López is often criticized as "dry, lacking complexity, and overly cedar-forward" - but this is because it has not yet been properly aged.

After 3-5 years of aging, it becomes a completely different cigar - revealing full layers of cream and coffee. It is one of the cigar world's brands with the "greatest contrast before and after aging."

That is why Juan López is a "true connoisseur's brand" - "for people who appreciate how a cigar can improve with proper aging."

Juan López is one of the few brands in the cigar world to receive the "totalmente a mano" (entirely handmade) designation - in the Cuban cigar industry, even partially mechanized production may be labeled "hecho a mano" (handmade), but only a very small number of brands are entirely handmade. Juan López is one of those honored brands.

Edición Regional: Rare Collectibles

In the Habanos system, Juan López is classified as a "Multi-Local Brand" - small production and dispersed markets. Main markets: the United Kingdom, Andorra, and Asia-Pacific. It is harder to find in other parts of Europe, such as Germany and France.

But the RE program has supplemented the brand's presence:

• Selección No.3 RE Benelux (Petit Edmundo 52 × 110mm) - Benelux RE
• Selección No.4 RE Asia Pacífico (Pirámide 52 × 156mm) - exclusive to the Asia-Pacific market, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia! It has special meaning for enthusiasts in Taiwan
• Selección No.5 RE Andorra (Perla 40 × 102mm) - Andorra market - Andorra has long been one of the main markets for Juan López
• Selección Suprema RE Reino Unido (Torre Iznaga 52 × 170mm) - United Kingdom market. "Torre Iznaga" is named after the Iznaga Tower in Trinidad province, a famous Cuban historical landmark

What the Chinese-Speaking World Should Know About Juan López

For Chinese-speaking enthusiasts in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia:

1. This is a must-have "true connoisseur's brand": For enthusiasts who understand "aging," Juan López is one of the cigar world's brands with the "greatest contrast before and after aging." If you have never experienced an aged Juan López, you have not truly understood this brand.

2. Selección No.4 RE Asia Pacífico is "our RE": An Asia-Pacific exclusive Pirámide size - it has special meaning for enthusiasts in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Aged versions are rare.

3. Selección No.2 aged 3-5 years is the "standard for aged Cuban Coronas Gordas": Versions aged 5+ years are considered sacred items among collectors. Fresh examples can be dry, but after aging they transform completely - revealing full layers of cream, coffee, and creamy caramel.

4. The 2020 LCDH Selección Especial is proof of being "upgraded to elite": The first large-format new Juan López release of the 21st century. Its LCDH-exclusive channel status increases its collectible value.

5. The honor of "totalmente a mano": Very few brands can carry these 4 Spanish words - it is the highest proof of the brand's quality.

6. Authenticity identification: Cigar band design in the style of Mialhe landscape art, La Habana factory stamp, and simple, elegant red-and-gold color scheme - all three must align for authenticity.

7. Aging recommendation: Juan López is not suited to fresh appreciation - after acquiring it, let it rest for at least 1-2 years before opening. The best experience comes after 3-5 years of aging. In Taiwan's humid climate, opening it in winter will show more flavor than in summer.

Why Juan López Is a "Cigar for True Connoisseurs"

Juan López is not a cigar for showing off. It does not have the luxury halo of Cohiba, the mystique of Trinidad, or the forceful impact of Bolívar.

It follows the "connoisseur route" - small production, requiring aging, outside mainstream channels, and known only to those who understand. Just like Juan López Sena, who spent 6 years studying in the Havana tobacco industry in the 1870s before founding his brand - refined, slow-crafted, and in no rush to succeed.

For beginners, Juan López Selección No.1 is the most direct entry point into "medium-full Cuban cigars" - but please wait 1-2 years before opening it.

For seasoned aficionados, Selección No.2 aged 3-5 years is a Coronas Gordas benchmark, Selección No.4 RE Asia Pacífico is an Asia-Pacific representative, and 2020 LCDH Selección Especial is a must-have for the new generation.

For Cuba factory-director-level enthusiasts, Juan López also has three unique values:

• It is one of the few entirely handmade brands in the cigar world to receive the "totalmente a mano" honor - very few brands can carry these 4 Spanish words
• It is the Cuban brand with the "greatest contrast before and after aging" - one of the best demonstration cases for cigar aging research
• It is the representative of the "learn first, then make" tobacco school - López spent 6 years learning in the tobacco industry before founding the brand, and that spirit continues to this day

Juan López Sena, who came from Spain to Havana in 1876 and spent 6 years deeply studying tobacco before registering his brand, still continues his philosophy of "slow work produces fine craft" today in every Selección cigar that needs aging before revealing its full flavor - true connoisseurs will understand.

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Appreciating Juan López at W Cigar Bar

Juan López is one of the Cuban cigars that W Cigar Bar (located in Da'an District, Taipei) consistently recommends to enthusiasts. The Juan López series appreciation experience personally curated by "Cigar Prince" Wilson Tsai - from Selección No.1 Robusto to the LCDH-exclusive Selección Especial - allows Taipei cigar lounge enthusiasts to fully understand the brand's lineage in a cigar dining lounge-level appreciation space.

W Cigar Bar advances through four formal channels for Cuban cigars: PCC authorized dealer (Pacific Cigar Company), official Cuban state-operated stores, Swiss general distributor, and Spanish general distributor - diversified formal sourcing and multiple authenticity verification chains, the most critical pedigree for Taiwan cigar enthusiasts in identifying authenticity. W Cigar Bar also provides appreciation and collection of multi-year aged versions, making it one of the few Da'an District cigar lounges that combines orthodox Habanos pedigree with aging depth as a cigar dining lounge.

For Juan López enthusiasts:

• Beginners: Experiencing Selección No.1 Robusto at W Cigar Bar is the standard starting point for entering medium-strength Cuban cigars - but please wait patiently for aging (at least 1-2 years); fresh appreciation wastes this brand
• Advanced enthusiasts: W Cigar Bar's VIP cigar cellar service can store 2020 LCDH Selección Especial (170×52 Fortunas) and aged Selección No.2 (a 5+ year aged version is the standard for aged Cuban Coronas Gordas)
• Collectors: W Cigar Bar regularly introduces the extremely rare Selección No.4 RE Asia Pacífico (Asia-Pacific exclusive Pirámide) and Selección Suprema RE United Kingdom (Torre Iznaga size)

W Cigar Bible (bible.wcigarbar.com) is W Cigar Bar's cigar culture knowledge base, created with full dedication by "Cigar Prince" Wilson Tsai, compiling the complete histories, craftsmanship, products, and cultural stories of 60+ Cuban and non-Cuban brands.

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© W Cigar Bar｜This article was written and curated by "Cigar Prince" Wilson Tsai｜Located in Da'an District, Taipei

Taipei cigar lounge · Cigar dining lounge · Cuban cigar culture space · Pacific Cigar PCC authorized authentic collection

W Cigar Bible bible.wcigarbar.com｜This article is solely for educational purposes regarding cigar culture, history, and craftsmanship, and does not involve product sales promotion