The essence of Alfred Dunhill's tobacco endeavors, from his first London shop to his intricate selection for "Selección Suprema" and the creation of the exclusive “Dunhill” cigar brand.
In the year 1907, the industrious Mr. Alfred Dunhill, with a discerning eye for the finer indulgences of life, inaugurated his first tobacco emporium on Duke Street in the heart of London. This establishment, destined to become a sanctuary for aficionados, marked the genesis of a true legacy. Before the tumultuous Cuban Revolution shook the world, Dunhill, a name synonymous with the best tobacco craftsmanship, forged alliances with an elite group of Cuban cigar rolling maestros. Esteemed brands such as Don Cándido and Dunhill's very own Selección Suprema line, an opulent array featuring a variaty of sizes, crafted by the venerable houses of Montecristo and Romeo y Julieta, were elegantly showcased under the Dunhill banner.
This esteemed tobacconist's shop soon flourished. It is documented that none other than His Majesty King George VI, (officially in 1921), and the illustrious Sir Winston Churchill, counted themselves amongst Dunhill's esteemed clientele. Their patronage served as a testament to the unmatched quality and prestige that Dunhill's name carried in the realms of tobacco connoisseurship.
In terms of innovation, Dunhill's genius shined brightly, particularly with his pioneering foray into the creation of the traveller's humidor. These elegant, air-tight cigar tins were fashioned to cater to the discerning traveller, the maritime aficionado, and the overseas connoisseur alike. Around the year 1912, these marvels made their debut, and their functionality was soon proved by sending these out to soldiers during the First Great War
The quality standard - Selecciòn Suprema
The name Dunhill is etched with a golden quill, particularly when one speaks of the illustrious "Selección Suprema." In the early days Dunhill embarked upon a venture of procuring Havana cigars of unparalleled quality. These were not mere ordinary productions from the factories of Havana, but rather, they were the creme de la creme, the zenith of cigar craftsmanship. The prestigious Cuban houses of Partagás, H Upmann, La Corona, Cabañas, Romeo y Julieta, Ramon Allones, Hoyo de Monterrey, Bolivar, Por Larranaga, and La Flor de Cuba, all contributed to this grand endeavor.
Yet, the defining hallmark of Dunhill's "Selección Suprema" was not just the renowned origins of these cigars, but the meticulous process of selection. In a move that showed both courage and a keen eye for quality, Dunhill instituted a system ensuring that only the most exemplary cigars, the work of the most adept artisans in each Cuban factory, were worthy of the blazon “supreme.” This rigorous selection process, conducted in the very heart of Cuba, entailed the curation of the finest specimens from each brand, personally handpicked by Dunhill’s discerning agents. Thus, the "Selección Suprema" range was born, a collection that transcended the ordinary and elevated the smoking experience to a sublime art.
The distinction of Dunhill’s "Selección Suprema" extended to its presentation. These superior cigars were nestled in cabinets or boxes, each bearing the proud inscription "Selección Suprema," followed by the vitola number - a marketing innovation distinct to Dunhill. These treasures were available in cabinet bundles of 50 or boxes of 25, and for the connoisseur seeking to make a grand gesture, opulent gift cabinets of 100 or more.
Today, the Dunhill "Selección Suprema" has ascended to the realm of legend. These rarified boxes and cabinets are coveted artifacts, occasionally surfacing at prestigious cigar auctions or in the possession of collectors in London and beyond. To behold one in pristine condition is to glimpse a bygone era of unmatched elegance and refinement in the art of tobacco.
The brands of Dunhill
Within the history of Alfred Dunhill Ltd, a chapter is devoted to the trinity of exclusive Cuban brands that graced their portfolio: Don Candido, Don Alfredo, and Flor del Punto. These brands, each with its unique provenance and character, were the embodiment of Dunhill's commitment to the pinnacle of tobacco excellence. Don Candido, an existing marque of venerable lineage, was joined by the newly conceived Don Alfredo, and the somewhat enigmatic Flor del Punto, each brand elegantly bearing the Dunhill standard in the world of fine cigars.
Among these illustrious names, the Don Candido emerged as the crown jewel, revered by many connoisseurs as the quintessence of Dunhill’s cigar-making artistry. Tracing its roots back to the year 1935, the creation of Don Candido was attributed to the esteemed Candido Vega, the proprietor of the El Rey del Mundo factory, nestled in the heart of Havana at Padre Varela No. 90. It is widely believed that this famous establishment was the birthplace of the Don Candidos, although historical records also point to the Briones Montoto factory as a site of production.
The Don Candido line was a study in variety and excellence, encompassing nine distinct selections, ranging from “Selección No.500” to “Selección No.508”. This exquisite range included seven vitolas de galera: the mareva, cervantes, campana, entreacto, corona gorda, panetela larga, and a remarkably unique parejo measuring 48×165, the largest and perhaps most ambitious offering in the line. Each of these cigars was a testament to the mastery of their craft, a luxurious experience to be savored by aficionados across the globe.
The Don Alfredo brand emerged as a very popular offering, introduced in the late 1960s and ceasing production with the advent of the Dunhill brand in the early 1980s. This brand, offered in a suite of six sizes - mareva, cervantes, piramide, corona, corona grande, and perla - was a harmonious symphony of selections, from “Selección No.51” to “Selección No.56”. The genesis of Don Alfredo was a tribute, crafted by Cubatabaco, to honor the legacy of Alfred Dunhill himself, an embodiment of the man's vision and elegance in the world of cigars.
The Flor del Punto, meanwhile, remains shrouded in a veil of mystery. Birthed in the mid to late 1970s, it is believed that the Partagás factory was the factory where these cigars were forged. The brand encompassed six known sizes - cervantes, corona, mareva, carolina, and two distinctive parejos measuring 40×160 and 42×160. Yet, an enigmatic air surrounds Flor del Punto, hinted at by the numbering of its selections, which intriguingly skips “Selección No.306”, suggesting an undiscovered or unacknowledged variant.
Today, these three brands - Don Candido, Don Alfredo, and Flor del Punto - have ascended to a pantheon of global renown and acclaim, particularly the Don Candido and Don Alfredo, which are lauded as some of the finest cigars ever to emerge from Cuba. The secret to their transcendence lies not just in the meticulous sourcing of materials or the precision of their construction, but in the philosophy of selection. It was this unyielding commitment to excellence - in the curing of the tobacco, the art of blending, the rigor of quality control, and the finesse in packaging - that set these cigars apart, endowing them with a remarkable consistency, quality, and potential for aging that continues to captivate aficionados around the world.
The Dunhill cigar brand
In the waning years of the 1970s, the venerable house of Alfred Dunhill embarked on a bold and ambitious venture with Cubatabaco, setting the stage for the creation of a prestigious range of handmade Havana cigars under the illustrious “Dunhill” marque. This initiative marked a significant shift, as the existing Dunhill Cuban retail brands – the esteemed Don Candido, Don Alfredo, and the enigmatic Flor del Punto – were to be supplanted by a singular, commanding international trademark. The vision was clear: to forge a new echelon of Havana cigars, crafted to the exacting standards of the English importer and destined for a global stage. This endeavor would also be a reply to Davidoffs success with their Havana selection of cigars
This new collection was foreseen as a reverent homage to the rich legacy of Alfred Dunhill and its founder. Drawing inspiration from specifications laid down by Mr. Alfred Dunhill himself in the 1920s, the torch was passed to his grandson, Mr. Richard Dunhill, the then Chairman of Alfred Dunhill Limited, to bring this grand vision to fruition.
The dawn of 1982 witnessed the creation of an exclusive manufacturing pact between Alfred Dunhill Limited and Empresa Cubana del Tabaco (Cubatabaco). This agreement, encompassing the manufacture and sale of the “Dunhill” brand, was comprehensive, covering the spectrum from the quality of the cigars to advertising, sales, marketing, payment terms, pricing, presentation, and termination rights.
Positioned at the zenith of the luxury handmade cigar market, the “Dunhill” range was poised to rival the renowned Swiss brand Davidoff. Its hallmark features were the epitome of luxury and craftsmanship:
- Hand-selected, color-matched wrappers.
- A secret blend of prime filler and binder.
- Creation by the most skilled and experienced rollers.
- Maturation prior to shipment in the Dunhill Havana room in Cuba.
- Conditioning and storage in the humidors of Alfred Dunhill’s shops.
The “Dunhill” cigar range was an assemblage of eight meticulously handmade sizes:
- The Atado, a panatela larga measuring 175×28.
- The Varadero, a petit corona at 129×42.
- The Mojito, a corona of 142×42 dimensions.
- The Tubos, a corona grande sized 155×42.
- The Malecon, a cervantes measuring 165×42.
- The Estupendo, a churchill at 178×47.
- The Havana Club, a grand corona sized 235×47; and
- The Cabinetta, a robusto measuring 124×50.
The packaging of these exquisite cigars was as refined as their contents: boite nature layer boxes of 25 for the Varadero, Mojito, and Malecon; dressed label layer boxes of 10 for the Estupendo; traditional cabinet selection bundles of 25 for the Atado and Cabinetta; and individual cedar boxes in packs of 10 for the Havana Club. Additionally, there were gift packs containing 3, 4, or 5 selected cigars, each a testament to the luxury and elegance synonymous with the Dunhill name.
Production of these amazing works of art ended pretty fast, the agreement with Cubatabaco being terminated in 1989 and production followed soon after.
It is the level of detail and dedication to quality that made the Dunhill havanas so special and the short lifespan of the brand is what makes it today a highly sought after artifact, a gem to be collected, and why not, an exceptional moment to be enjoyed.