Feature Story: Serafin de Cuba to Make PCA Debut

This year we are introducing a new installment to our coverage of the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show where we will selectively highlight some existing companies making their Trade Show debut. Today we will highlight Serafin de Cuba. The company has a rich history going back to the 19th century and spreads five generations. Companies we will consider for this feature are reserved for first-time exhibitors at the 2023 PCA Trade Show who proactively reach out to us.

Serafin de Cuba is a company based out of the Tampa Bay region of Flood owned by Arnold Serafin. The Serafin family can trace its lineage back to the Canary Islands where the family worked in agriculture on the island of LaGomera. Sometime in the 19th century, Don Antonio Serafin arrived in Cuba as a soldier in the Spanish army. He decided to stay after the war was over and began working with tobacco farming. He would eventually start rolling cigars.

Don Antonio’s son, Don Ramon Serafin Sr. would found Tabacos Serafin and his son Don Ramon Jr. later entered the business. When the Cuban Revolution nationalized the cigar business in 1967, Don Ramon would leave for the United States and settle in the Tampa Bay Area. In 2007 Don Ramon Jr. and his son Arnold would resurrect the family legacy by opening Serafin de Cuba. In 2019, a fifth generation of the Serafin family, Brandon Serafin, would join the family business. Today the company rolls cigars in Tampa at its own boutique factory.

Some of the company’s cigars include:

Don Ramon 1917

This honors Don Ramon Serafin Sr, the grandfather of Serafin owner Arnold Serafin. This is a limited edition cigar available in a Cuban-style Churchill (7 x 48) featuring a pigtail cap and folded foot. The blend features 100% Nicaraguan tobaccos highlighted by a Nicaraguan Corojo Wrapper, Nicaraguan Binder and a blend of Jalapa, Condega, and Esteli Fillers.

Don Ramon 1942

This honors the patriarch of the Serafin family, Don Ramon Serafin Jr. This is a limited edition cigar highlighted by a Connecticut wrapper. It’s available in a Double Corona (7 1/2 x 50) size, one that is said to be a favorite on Don Ramon Jr.

Flor de Tampa

This is a brand out of Tampa that traces its history back to 19th Century Tampa. It’s a small batch release highlighted by an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and Cuban-seed, Nicaraguan tobaccos. It’s sold in boxes of 12 in two sizes: Toro (6 x 52) and Torpedo (7 x 54).

El Principe de Gales

El Principe de Gales (which translates to Prince of Wales) was established in Havana Cuba back in 1854 by Vincente Martine Ybor. It became known as the “King of Havana Cigars.” In 1886, Ybor brought the brand to Tampa, Florida. After being out of the market for about a century, the brand was resurrected by Serafin de Cuba. This is a blend that features a Connecticut wrapper over Cuban Seed tobaccos. It’s available in three sizes: Robusto (5 x 50), Toro (6 x 52) and Torpedo (7 x 54).