HR White

The initials HR stand for Hirochi Robaina, grandson of the legendary Cuban tobacco grower Alejandro Robaina, who was highly esteemed in the Cuban tobacco world for his exceptional wrapper leaves. In 1997, Alejandro was granted the honor of introducing the Cuban cigars under the name Vegas Robaina in Madrid. Alejandro passed away in 2010 at the age of 91. His grandson Hirochi took over the management of the prestigious tobacco plantation in Pinar del Rio, which continues to deliver exceptional quality, as a significantly above-average percentage of its leaves can be processed as wrapper tobacco.

Hirochi Robaina Cigars: From Cuban Heritage to Nicaraguan Reinterpretation

Hirochi Robaina continues to operate his grandfather’s farm while simultaneously launching his own cigar brand in 2014, which he chose to produce in Nicaragua. This first attempt to establish the HR Cigars brand internationally, however, failed early on—despite initial global enthusiasm among aficionados for the family name. The reasons remain unclear, but years of disputes with distribution partners, several court cases, and changes in distribution followed. Since 2020, things have gone quiet around the HR cigars.

HR Cigars White Line: Mild Elegance With Ecuadorian Wrapper

At InterTabac 2024 in Dortmund, Hirochi Robaina once again surprised the cigar world with a relaunch, this time with new distribution partners and a focus beyond the United States. For Europe and Asia, distribution is now handled by Small Batch Brokers B.V., led by Steijn Elbersen, a former STG manager. The White Line is the mildest offering in the HR Cigars portfolio. It features a Colorado Claro wrapper from Ecuador, with the binder and filler blend made entirely from Nicaraguan tobacco. Omar Gonzalez produces Hirochi’s cigars at his Tabacalera La Corona Cigars S.A. in Nicaragua.

Omar Gonzalez & Tabacalera La Corona: Craftsmanship Behind the HR Signature Series

I had the chance to light up the sample that Alfredo Zayas, the international Sales Manager for Europe, Asia and the Middle East left with me during his visit to our Cigarworld Lounge just last night: What can I say? A truly elegant, refined, and subtle smoke—mild, yet distinctly aromatic. I thoroughly enjoyed the Robusto, and I’m already looking forward to writing about the red HR Signature Series, which is next in line!