La Barba is a boutique cigar brand created by Ohio cigar enthusiasts Tony Bellatto and Craig Rossi and made at Tabacalera William Ventura in the Dominican Republic. On the brand’s own scale its cigars run from light-plus to full body. La Barba describes Red, a Dominican puro on a Corojo wrapper, as medium-plus with typical notes of spice, sweetness, graham cracker, chocolate and toasted marshmallow; Purple, on an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, as medium-minus with sweetness, white and black pepper and floral notes; and Siempre, built on Ecuadorian Connecticut tobacco, as light-plus with espresso, vanilla and cream. The limited-edition Caldwell x La Barba One & Only is described as full-bodied with leather, earth and minerality. For a first La Barba, try Siempre (light-plus) or Red (medium-plus), which sit at the two ends of the core range; see the La Barba category page for current availability.
La Barba Cigars
La Barba, meaning “the beard” in Spanish, is a boutique cigar brand created by Tony Bellatto and Craig Rossi, two Ohio cigar enthusiasts who met at the Havana House in Niles, Ohio. The first La Barba was announced in 2013 as coming out of the Wynwood Cigar Factory in Miami, and La Barba now makes its cigars at Tabacalera William Ventura in the Dominican Republic: Purple was announced in 2014 as being made there, and Red moved there from Honduras in 2016. Lines have included the La Barba Red (Dominican wrapper, binder, and filler), La Barba Purple (Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Dominican corojo binder, and a filler that includes the Carbonell varietal), and the Ricochet series. Across its current lineup, the brand describes body from light-plus to full, with typical notes such as chocolate, graham cracker, pepper, espresso, cream and leather depending on the line.
Frequently asked questions about La Barba Cigars
Who makes La Barba cigars, and where?
La Barba was created by Tony Bellatto and Craig Rossi, who met at the Havana House in Niles, Ohio. halfwheel reported in 2013 that the first La Barba was being planned at the Wynwood Cigar Factory in Miami. halfwheel reported in 2014 that Purple was being made at Tabacalera William Ventura in the Dominican Republic, and in 2016 that Red was moving there from Honduras. The brand says it works with the Ventura family and that Dominican tobacco is the centre of its blending, even though not every La Barba is a Dominican puro. halfwheel reported in 2024 that La Barba distribution moved to Laudisi Distribution Group.
How strong are La Barba cigars?
It depends on the line. La Barba rates Siempre light-plus, Purple medium-minus, Red medium-plus and the limited-edition One & Only collaboration with Caldwell full-bodied. These are the brand's own descriptions, so individual cigars and sizes can smoke a little differently.
How do the La Barba lines differ, and which should I try first?
La Barba describes Red (Dominican puro, Corojo wrapper) as spicy and sweet with typical graham cracker, chocolate and toasted marshmallow notes; Purple (Ecuadorian Habano wrapper) as elegant, with sweetness, white and black pepper and floral notes; and Siempre (Ecuadorian Connecticut) as effortless, with espresso, vanilla and cream. One & Only, a Caldwell x La Barba collaboration, has appeared as limited releases; halfwheel reported a 2016 limited edition and a one-time 2018 edition. The brand describes it as rich and spicy, with leather, earth and minerality. Ricochet, a wine-inspired line launched in 2018, used a Mexican San Andres maduro wrapper, an Indonesian binder and Dominican, Nicaraguan and Pennsylvania fillers; a 2019 Cru Mexi-Sol version switched to a Mexican sun-grown wrapper, according to halfwheel. For a first La Barba, try Siempre if you prefer a lighter smoke or Red if you prefer more body.
Where can I buy La Barba cigars online?
Oxford Cigar Company lists La Barba on its category page when in stock: https://oxfordcigarcompany.com/la-barba-cigars/. Free US shipping on orders $50+.