Raices C5 Black

The Raíces C5 cigar line brings the power of the Honduran sun directly into the cigar. Developed by Ralph Montero in collaboration with the Endemaño family, this series draws its bold flavor from the so-called Corte Cinco—the uppermost, particularly sun-drenched leaves of the tobacco plant. It’s important to know that tobacco plants are harvested from the bottom up, so the fifth harvest or fifth cut generally refers to the topmost leaves, which have received the longest and most intense exposure to the sun. Raíces C5 cigars are more aromatically dense, peppery, and wood-forward than the milder sister line, Clasico. Both lines appear under the name Raíces, as the addition “Cubanas” must be omitted in Germany due to trademark regulations.

Tabacalera Raíces Cubanas: Origin With Character

Based in Danlí, Tabacalera Raíces Cubanas is considered one of the most respected manufacturers in Honduras. It is not only responsible for the new Raíces brand but also served for many years as the production site for the well-known Alec Bradley cigars as well as cigars from Illusione and Viaje by Andre Farkas. In recent years, we’ve also sourced our very popular Factory Overrun from Honduras from Raíces Cubanas. The connection was originally established through Thorsten Wolfertz and Ralph Montero, as Ralph had several lines produced there for Alec Bradley before the company was sold in 2023 to the Danish tobacco giant STG (Scandinavian Tobacco Group).

Ralph Montero: A Fresh Start With Deep Roots

After the sale of Alec Bradley, Ralph Montero didn’t retire but became active again in 2024 with the Raíces brand. While his former business partner Alan Rubin now spends more time on the golf course, Ralph regularly travels between Honduras, Miami, and Europe. Distribution in Germany is handled by VCF Deutschland—thanks in part to the long-standing connection with Thorsten Wolfertz. For Ralph, Raíces is more than just a project; it’s a return to what has always defined him: honest cigars with character and origin. We’re glad to see him back in the industry!