Aging Room Cigars: The Beginnings
The brand Aging Room has firmly established itself in Germany since its release. Like many other cigar companies, its production location and the headquarters of “Boutique Blends Cigars” are in Miami. Founded in 1996 as the “Habana Cuba Cigar Company,” the brand transitioned to its current iteration in 2002 when it was sold to Rafael Nodal and two co-owners. The name change came later in 2012, marking a shift in focus—from flavored cigars to premium small-batch cigars.
Rafael Nodal at Aging Room
What led to the sale of the Habana Cuba Cigar Company? Following the cigar boom of the 1990s, there was an oversupply of cigars, leaving many producers struggling to sell their stock. The company at the time relied on the internet to move its inventory, with its largest buyers being the current owners Rafael Nodal and Hank Bischoff. Before acquiring the company, they specialized in selling small-batch cigars around Miami. They ventured into premium cigars in Nicaragua, collaborating with Nestor Plasencia and Nick Perdomo. They even launched a cigar with a then-innovative 60-ring gauge (“XL for Men”), but it didn’t make a significant impact.
A Strong Collaboration: Aging Room and A.J. Fernandez
The turning point came with the launch of the SWAG brand, manufactured in the Dominican Republic by Jose Blanco at the Tabacalera La Palma. SWAG was well received in the cigar community, sold successfully, and allowed the company’s leadership to further pursue their refined direction. In 2011, they limited production of the new Aging Room line even further.
The year 2019 marked another milestone: a collaboration with the acclaimed AJ Fernandez resulted in the launch of the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua. This cigar was named Cigar of the Year 2019 by Cigar Aficionado and remains the only Aging Room series currently imported into Germany.
