Señor Vela Cigar Family History

We are all aware of the current Cigar Boom…. But we, unlike most of the new brands, are not new to this business. It is for this reason that we would like you to know a little about our history in an effort to assist you in promoting our brand.

My families relation with Cigar’s dates back to my grandfather, Simon Vela, who in 1930 formed a partnership with Remberto Gispert, who originated the Gispert brand in the early 1900’s

When my grandfather partnered up with Mr.Gispert, he had a small locally known cigar factory which produced excellent quality cigars for domestic distribution. My grandfather a man of great business acumen and vision, transformed this cottage industry into one of the biggest cigar manufacturing factories in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, within three years of becoming involved. By 1935, Gispert was exporting to the United Kingdom and South Africa and when World War II ended, Gispert expanded its distribution further to also include Spain.

Through his hard work and dedication to the quality and by demanding superior workmanship Gispert very quickly became one of the most prestigious domestic and exported brands from Cuba, with a large clientele in the United States, England, Spain and South Africa.

My Father started to work beside my grandfather almost from the time he took his first steps, and at a young age started smoking cigars and developed a palate for good blends. At 17, my grandfather made him a partner in the business and gave him the responsibility of running the production line and over seeing quality control.

My father has agreed to help me resurrect the family heritage under one condition, that our new line live up to the rigors he demanded on his own production . We have not used our old trade mark “Gispert” because it was taken from my family in 1961. We were not in the USA and unable to renew its registration, but the family name “Vela” as a leader in the industry with all that represented in pre-Castro Cuba.

In honor of the memory of my grandfather and as a tribute to my father I have decided to launch a rebirth into the market with “SR VELA” a 100% hand made quality cigar.

We have worked very hard to find what my father demanded and I who whole heartedly supported before putting his name and honor behind a brand again. Our new brand made its debut in the market in May 1997, in Las Vegas

A re-birth of excellence, hand rolled in the Dominican Republic from prime Cuban-seed lead. Blended with select long leaf tobacco filler from the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua with Sumatra binders and wrappers. All of our cigars are inspected by hand by a master Cigar maker. The cigars are then packed in cedar boxes of 10 or 25 cigars, preserving their unique flavor and aroma. Experience the taste and the pleasure only quality cigar can give.