Jeremy Edmunds
Google
In the sun-drenched streets of Key West, where history whispers through salt-tinged air, the Rodriguez Cigar Factory stands as both monument and living museum to a craft that has defined generations. This establishment isn't merely a shop—it's the continuation of a narrative that began in 1947 in the Las Villas province of Cuba, when Ángel and Daniella Rodriguez cultivated tobacco on their plantation, "La Finca de Carmencita."
Housed in a welcoming whitewashed building with exposed wooden beams and red brick walkway at 113 Fitzpatrick Street, the factory exudes Old Florida charm with a touch of home. A sign above the counter proudly announces: "Welcome to the Oldest Cigar Company in the Florida Keys • Est. 1984"—marking the year when the family, forced to flee Cuba after the nationalization of their plantation, found renewed purpose and hope in America.
Inside, time seems suspended beneath wooden rafters where golden pendant lighting bathes display cases in a warm glow, showcasing the factory's prized creations. The "Reserva Privada" series, aged four years and marked as "Sought After By Connoisseurs Worldwide," represents the heart and soul of their craft. These Nicaraguan-sourced cigars deliver a full-bodied experience with distinctly earthy notes that unfold like a good conversation—gradually revealing new depths with each moment spent together.
What separates Rodriguez from the tourist-trap cigar shops dotting Duval Street is genuine family passion. While Cuban tobacco remains inaccessible due to embargo restrictions, master rollers at Rodriguez employ traditional Cuban methods passed down through generations, hand-selecting and aging their Nicaraguan leaves with the care of family heirlooms. Aficionados will appreciate the perfect draw resistance—neither too loose nor constrictive—allowing flavors to develop from first light to final third like a well-told story.
The factory's tour feels like being welcomed into a family tradition. Visitors observe each loving step: the thoughtful selection of wrapper, binder and filler leaves; the careful molding; the gentle application of the delicate wrapper leaf; and the final cut. Your guide explains how Nicaragua's volcanic soil imparts distinctive mineral notes to their signature blends, creating a smoke that feels both novel and familiar.
Rodriguez's premium "Sampaguita" line (named after the Philippine jasmine) reveals an interesting footnote in cigar history: following Cuba's nationalization of tobacco farms, many Cuban families scattered globally, creating unexpected cultural fusions. This particular blend incorporates subtle Asian-inspired notes that complement rather than overwhelm the tobacco's natural character—a testament to the Rodriguez family's creativity while honoring their roots.
For serious collectors, the staff will happily share stories about their limited-release commemorative cigars that mark significant dates in Cuban-American relations—these treasures sell out quickly and are rarely advertised.
After sixty-seven years in the tobacco industry, the Rodriguez legacy continues not as a relic but as a living, breathing family tradition. For visitors seeking authentic connection to Cuban heritage beyond mojitos and key lime pie, this cherished establishment offers a meaningful link to a craft that transcends politics and persists through generations—one perfectly rolled cigar at a time.
