Serafin De Cuba, a burgeoning cigar company situated in Tarpon Springs, Florida, has been persistently pursuing the strategic vision of its owner, Arnold Serafin. This vision entails the registration of dormant or expired cigar trademarks from the historical Tampa area. His latest endeavor is the re-creation of the famed Juan De Fuca brand from back in the start of the 20th century.
The history of the brand is perfect for the company’s portfolio as it not only represents the history of the Tampa area cigars but also reflects the Greek culture of where the company is located (Tarpon Springs, Florida).
You see, the cigar is named after the Greek explorer Juan de Fuca (also known as Ioannis Fokas or Phokas). Born on June 10, 1536, in Cephalonia (now part of Greece), Juan de Fuca served Philip II of Spain. He is best known for his claim to have explored the waterway that we now know as the Strait of Juan de Fuca. which lies between Vancouver Island (now part of British Columbia, Canada) and the Olympic Peninsula in northwestern Washington state, United States.
The original registrant of the US trademark was William T. Morgan Cigars in West Tampa, Florida dating back to May 1, 1906. In 1907, William T. Morgan erected a three-story cigar factory in the city of West Tampa, Florida as his Juan De Fuca brand was attaining wide acceptance throughout the United States especially in the Seattle, Washington area where the Puget sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca is located. The company grew so quickly that by 1910 it had to move to a larger building to accommodate the 1,000 workers the company had rolling and packaging the cigars.
The brand ownership changed hands over the years. It was owned by General Cigar Company and Culbro Corporation and then the mark expired in 2006 until Serafin De Cuba secured it in 2023.
Here is a fun 3D rendering of the original Juan de Fuca cigar box created by the University of South Florida:
The Serafin De Cuba Juan De Fuca has a blend described as:
- Wrapper – Cameroon
- Binder – Dominican
- Filler – Nicaraguan
This is the first time the company has used a Cameroon wrapper in their offerings. The company has also secured the services of a small factory a friend of Arnold Serafin has with his family in Jalapa, Nicaragua due to the increase in demand for the company’s products.
The Juan De Fuca is currently expressed in a single (6 x 52) closed foot Toro vitola and comes packaged in a 20-count classic boxes. The company has set an MSRP of $12.00/cigar.
The company will be showcasing the Juan De Fuca at this year’s Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade show being held in LAs Vegas, NV – Mar 23- 25. You can it out along with the rest of the company’s offering at booth 8053. It is located right between Padron and Arturo Fuente.
For this review, I sampled two Juan De Fuca cigars which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Serafin De Cuba – Juan De Fuca exhibits a marbled, medium brown wrapper that has a slight oily sheen. The cigar is solidly constructed and firm to the touch from head to foot. Construction is completed with an almost quad cap pigtail head and a closed foot.
A single band adorns the cigar which displays an image of Juan De Fuca in the center. The name of the cigar and Tampa, Florida is boldly printed around the image. The left and right of the band declares this as Handmade at Serafin De Cuba.
As I ran the Juan De Fuca along the nose, I picked up an interesting hickory like note along the barrel but not much off the closed foot.
I sliced the cap with my double blade Xikar cutter and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs that offered an early peppery sting to lips and palate. From a restriction perspective I could not judge it on the pre-light due to the closed foot.
Using the soft flame of my butane lighter, I gently warmed the exposed foot and drew in the first puffs of cinnamon spice, fruit, and cream to start the journey. What an awesome start to the flavor profile. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Right off the first puffs I am greeted with notes of cinnamon spice, fruit, and cream
- The mild pre-light hickory nut lay in the background
- A white ash forms on top of a medium thick char line
- Full volume of tasty smoke fills the palate
- Ash gets a tad flaky
- Pleasant nutty aroma wafts off the foot
- Ash fell in a decent chunk revealing a well-formed burn cone
- Dark chocolate notes evolve enveloping the early spice and fruit notes near the end of the first third
- Mild jag in burn
- Mouth-watering citrus peel notes enter in the second third
- Aroma shifts to a very pleasant, sweet fruit and nut
- The cream nuance sooths the citrus peel
- Nutty nuances join the flavor profile and add to the pleasure midway through the burn
- Continued dark chocolate and citrus through the final
- Medium to full in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 40 minutes
Final Analysis
Upon the initial draws, the Serafin De Cuba – Juan De Fuca Toro welcomes the palate to a symphony of cinnamon spice, fruity hints, and a creamy undertone all delivered through a full volume of delectable smoke that envelops the palate. The mild pre-light hickory nut lingers subtly in the background, setting the stage for what unfolds. The initial spice and fruit notes are embraced by evolving dark chocolate nuances towards the end of the first third.
As the journey continues into the second third, mouth-watering citrus peel notes make a captivating entrance. The aromatic landscape transforms into a delightful interplay of sweet fruits and nuts, accompanied by the soothing essence of cream that complements the citrus peel. Midway through the burn, nutty nuances join the flavor profile, enhancing the overall pleasure. The continuation of dark chocolate and citrus notes gracefully carries through to the final stages, providing a satisfying and flavorful conclusion.
This well balanced, medium to full strength cigar, is one I would say to grab a box off and add to your rotation. It is one you would enjoy in the middle of the day. I rate this a respectable 94.
Point Deductions: (-1) Ash is Tad Flaky; (-1) Mild Jag in Burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Pleasant and Enjoyable across Multiple Samples; (+1) Box Buy
I agree 100%. I’ve been smoking Arnold Serafin Cigars since the old Man was around. A long time. What amazing cigars. Don’t sleep on these. Go check him out. He’ll make you an incredible coffee as well. A great guy with a great family & just amazing smokes.
Julio,
Those that know – know.. 5 generations can’t go wrong
I HAVE COME TO KNOW ARNOLD QUITE WELL OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, HE OFFERS A SUPERIOR PRODUCT AT A FAIR PRICE. HE IS A STICKLER FOR QUALITY AND HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN HIM REJECT PRODUCT THAT FAILS TO MEET HIS STRICT STANDARD. A GREAT MAN FORWARDING A FAMILY TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE. I THINK THE ” SERAFIN BRAND ” WILL BE KNOWN NATIONWIDE IN THE NOT SO DISTANT FUTURE.