Matilde Exposure

The name Matilde goes back to a Dominican tabacalera (cigar factory) that reached its peak in the 19th century. After the death of founder Simeon Mencia in 1910, production ceased. However, the original tabacalera building and Mencia’s private residence still exist today and were, for a time, even regarded as landmarks of old Santiago de los Caballeros.

Matilde Cigars: Rebirth of a Dominican Legend

The owner and master blender of this cigar brand is— or sadly, we now have to say was—José Seijas. He passed away in 2024 at the age of 74, shortly after the launch of the Exposure cigar line featured here. Before that, he ran the world’s largest cigar factory, Tabacalera Garcia, in the Dominican Republic for nearly 40 years on behalf of tobacco giant Altadis, before founding Matilde Cigars as an independent venture in 2013. He chose the name for its beautiful history and had his blends for Matilde Cigars produced in various factories across the Dominican Republic. Most of his cigars are made by Jochi Blanco at Tabacalera La Palma. The limited editions Exposure No. 1 and No. 2 presented here are rolled at Tabacalera La Isla by Hostos Fernandez Quesada. Fernandez comes from the family of the same name and previously worked for a cigar band manufacturer, among others.

Matilde Limited Exposure No. 1

The Matilde Limited Exposure No. 1 blend features a Mexican San Andres wrapper and a Dominican binder. The filler is a combination of HVA, Piloto, and Corojo. This blend creates a complex, balanced smoking profile that appeals to both seasoned connoisseurs and curious newcomers. The No. 1 is highly limited: only 250 boxes of 20 cigars each were produced, totaling 5,000 cigars. This exclusivity makes each cigar a special experience for collectors and aficionados alike.

Matilde Exposure No. 2: A Tribute to Craftsmanship

The Exposure Cigars No. 2 are rolled with an Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper, while both the binder and filler are Dominican. The flavor profile is dominated by woody notes. These are not mild cigars and should not be smoked casually—giving them a bit of attention rewards the aficionado with subtle and hidden aromas that many other cigars from the Dominican Republic simply don’t offer!