In a significant step toward reshaping the global premium cigar industry, Luciano Cigars and Empresa Madeirense de Tabacos SA (EMT)—controller of Europe’s oldest active tobacco company, Fábrica de Tabacos Estrela (FTE)—have joined forces to form Constella Group, an international alliance grounded in shared values, strategic alignment, and long-term vision. After more than 18 months of strategic collaboration, the formation of Constella represents a bold move to transform the global premium cigar landscape.
Rooted in a shared passion for craftsmanship, heritage, and innovation, Constella is designed as a new platform integrating premium cigar manufacturing, distribution, regulatory compliance, and tobacco trade across continents. EMT brings 142 years of legacy in European production, established warehousing, and robust compliance infrastructure, including Track & Trace systems. Luciano Cigars contributes U.S. market distribution, artisanal blending, manufacturing and farming expertise, and a strong culture of innovation rooted in craftsmanship.
Luciano Meirelles, President of Luciano Cigars and Co-founder of Constella stated:
“Our vision for Constella was never about simply becoming larger. We set out to create something meaningful—built on mutual respect and the belief that growth should enhance identity, not dilute it. This is about preserving our core values and shaping the future of premium cigars through collaboration and authenticity.”
José Pedro Trindade, EMT Board Representative and Co-founder of Constella, added:
“Constella represents unity through shared purpose. Each partner maintains its unique identity and legacy, contributing strength to a collective vision. It’s a dynamic structure founded on connection, synergy, and respect for tradition.”
Luciano brands will continue to thrive under CONSTELLA, maintaining the quality, consistency, and character that customers have come to appreciate. Additionally, this new alliance will enable the introduction of an expanded family of premium brands alongside the beloved Luciano core line (soon to be announced), as well as ongoing manufacturing and distribution agreements with Peter James Cigars and Dalay, enriching the choices and experiences available to cigar enthusiasts worldwide.
While Constella will continue its current manufacturing and tobacco processing operations with R&R and Luciano Tabacos SA in Nicaragua, its vision is already taking shape through strategic expansion initiatives:
- A new factory and packing infrastructure in Santiago, Dominican Republic (Free Trade Zone), to be unveiled soon.
- The ongoing expansion of Fábrica de Tabacos Estrela in São Miguel, Azores (Portugal).
Since 2023, Luciano Cigars and EMT have worked jointly to reinvigorate the 142-year-old Fábrica de Tabacos Estrela while also developing a groundbreaking tobacco cultivation project in the Azores—a region with over 500 years of tobacco history. Additionally, Constella is pioneering new cultivation initiatives in Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and the Azores, positioning itself as a leader in the development of unique, globally distinctive tobaccos.
Duarte Manuel Freitas, Constella consultant and historian at the University of Coimbra explained:
“The renowned seeds such as Habano, Habano Criollo, and Corojo are not native Cuban tobaccos—they’re the product of selective breeding from seeds brought by Spanish colonizers from earlier expeditions. The Azores, positioned at the heart of transatlantic trade, likely served as the first true tobacco laboratory—where ancient seeds from Asia, Australia, and the Americas were cross-pollinated before shaping the foundation of commercial tobacco.”
To celebrate this visionary partnership, Constella will officially launch ÉLEVÉ—a limited edition 6×54 Sublime cigar—at PCA 2025. Expertly blended with carefully selected tobaccos from multiple undisclosed regions, ÉLEVÉ embodies the spirit of global creativity and craftsmanship at the heart of Constella.
Renato Berardo, President of the EMT board and the Bacalhôa Group, one of the largest wine producers in the world noted:
“ÉLEVÉ symbolizes the encounter of great traditions and creativity,” said Renato Berardo, President of the EMT board and the Bacalhôa Group, one of the largest wine producers in the world. “Centuries ago, the Azores helped shape global tobacco culture. Today, through Constella, we’re not merely preserving that legacy—we are actively creating its future.”
