La Familia Robaina is the name White Hat Cigars took in 2019, when owner Spence Drake rebranded around Hirochi Robaina, grandson of famed Cuban grower Alejandro Robaina, whose family has grown tobacco near Pinar del Río since 1845. Its HR, Ilegal and Pelones cigars were rolled at the La Corona factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Ilegal comes in Connecticut shade, Ecuadorian Habano and Mexican San Andrés wrappers; halfwheel (2020) found typical notes of dark chocolate, earth, espresso bean and raisin in the San Andrés, building from mild to between medium and full, while halfwheel (2019) found cedar, earth, burnt coffee and popcorn in the Pelones Maduro at medium to medium-plus strength. halfwheel reported in 2024 that Drake left the cigar business around 2020 and that HR returned in Europe without set U.S. distribution. Oxford Cigar Company lists La Familia Robaina on its category page when in stock.
La Familia Robaina Cigars
La Familia Robaina is a premium cigar brand paying tribute to the legendary Robaina family, whose tobacco-growing roots in Cuba’s Pinar del Río region date back to 1845 and produced the iconic Alejandro Robaina—the famed Cuban tobacco grower. Originally launched as White Hat Cigars and rebranded in 2019 by owner Spence Drake in collaboration with Alejandro’s grandson Hirochi Robaina, the brand’s cigars were handcrafted at La Corona factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, with lines including the HR (Hirochi Robaina) series and the Ilegal collection—offered in Connecticut shade, Ecuadorian Habano and Mexican San Andrés wrappers—with typical notes of dark chocolate, earth, espresso bean and raisin in the San Andrés blend, honoring the Robaina legacy outside of Cuba.
Frequently asked questions about La Familia Robaina Cigars
Who makes La Familia Robaina cigars and where are they made?
La Familia Robaina is the name White Hat Cigars adopted in 2019 under owner Spence Drake, to put the Robaina family name front and centre. The brand is tied to Hirochi Robaina, grandson of the Cuban tobacco grower Alejandro Robaina, whose family has farmed tobacco near Pinar del Rio since 1845. Its Ilegal and Pelones cigars were rolled at the La Corona factory in Esteli, Nicaragua, and halfwheel reported in 2024 that La Corona is also the listed maker of the revived HR line.
How strong are La Familia Robaina cigars?
Strength depends on the line. In halfwheel's 2020 review, the Ilegal San Andres Toro started fairly mild and built to between medium and full. halfwheel's 2019 review of the Pelones Maduro Robusto put strength around medium to medium-plus. For HR, the company described the HR Black line in 2024 as the strongest cigar in its portfolio. Treat these as typical impressions; individual cigars vary.
How do the La Familia Robaina lines differ?
Ilegal was released in December 2019 in three blends named for their wrappers: Connecticut shade, Ecuadorian Habano and Mexican San Andres, each in Robusto, Toro and Gordo sizes. halfwheel noted typical dark chocolate, earth, espresso bean, leather and raisin notes in the San Andres. Pelones are unbanded bundle cigars in Connecticut, Habano and Maduro wrappers; halfwheel found typical cedar, earth, burnt coffee and popcorn notes in the Maduro. HR is Hirochi Robaina's own line. In 2024 halfwheel reported HR Blue, White and Signature back on shelves in Switzerland, and the company announced a new HR Black with an Ecuadorian habano wrapper.
Where can I buy La Familia Robaina cigars?
Oxford Cigar Company lists La Familia Robaina on its category page when in stock: https://oxfordcigarcompany.com/la-familia-robaina-cigars/. Free US shipping on orders $50+.