Calling Columbo : Montero

[El Presidente]

The FOH NCIS  squad did such a good job with La Simbombo (well done gents! )....let's see what they can dig up on "Montero"  

 

 

[Habana Mike]

 

My name is Pedro Pablo Montero Carbonell. I was born in 1973, on the island of Cuba. At a young age, I started working at the “Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagas” (a.k.a. the famous Cuban Partagas Cigar Factory), in order to continue a family tradition of three-generations of tobacconists, from my grandfather Juan Montero to me, and additionally, to share with you all my teachings of the marvelous plant that is the Tobacco and to give to you all the perfect Cigar. 

In 1939 my paternal grandfather, Juan Montero, started his Cigar Factory (Montero 1939 Totalmente a Mano, Montero 1939 completely handmade). The interesting thing about this year (1939), is that my wonderful mother was also born.

They called my grandfather, Juan Montero the “Artisan of the town” for his creativity. At the beginning of Fidel Castro’s Cuban Revolution and the arrival of Communism in 1959, my grandfather and my family lost everything. All his sacrifice that was made for his family through his Cigar factory was lost, like many other Cuban Families in all types of private businesses.

Stripping away from my father’s family heritage, which my father suffered for his whole life.

When I was a child, after school, my mother would take me to an art workshop, which I continued to go to for several years. Due to transportation difficulties, my mother could not continue taking me. At the age of twelve, my father taught me all the secrets, traditions, and teachings that my grandfather passed down to him.

I later proudly took the family name Montero enrolled and passed the quality control course in the “Real Fabrica Cubana de Tabacos Partagas” (a.k.a. the famous: Cuban Partagas Cigar Factory), to look for a path to the United States of America, the country of liberty, the country I set foot on in the year 2004 to revive my family tradition and my grandfathers brand.

I remember with great sadness when I left Cuba. The Cuban government did want to give me the official documents of the Montero brand, which was started in 1939. They told me that was the price for leaving the country and that is what I did to leave the Communism of the Castro brothers, and with great faith to come to this country of grand opportunity to make real the dreams of my father (who could not do it). Thank God and thank the United States of America for allowing me to make Montero Cigars and for allowing me to portray my artwork the way Juan Montero “the Artisan of the town” did, from his marvelous cigars to his first humidor in 1941. And through this wonderful art, I am able to honor my ancestors, for my tobacconists and artisan grandfather which loved to customize his client’s orders—fusing carpentry and the technique he used as a Master Tobacconist. I have continued the legacy of my grandfather recreating the artistic creations in humidors and cigars, as well as the exquisite cigar blends made for the most demanding smokers all thanks to the United States of America that allowed me to live the American dream. On top of my certification as a quality control technician, I had the opportunity to get to meet with great depth this beautiful plant created by God, which I give thanks for blessing me in helping me create this great project, which has granted me the opportunity to meet my work staff, which is inclusive of the excellent master Cuban tobacconist, master painters, master carpenters, master goldsmiths, and jewelers, professionals in law and business administration. This has allowed me to study tobacco from the ground to the finished product and ready for the most demanding consumers. 

I, Pedro Pablo Montero Carbonell, pay tribute to the world of smokers for being part of this great work of art and give thanks for their unconditional support.

Never Give up. 

Made for smokers— Rico Tabaco Montero.

May God bless these United States, my children, and my wife for their support.

I am thankful for:

My brother for all his teachings,

My grandfather for his legacy,

My father for passing down all of my family traditions,

And my mother for all her love and art and for teaching me to be persevering. 

 

Pedro Montero - Owner and Founder

 

https://monterocigars.com/pages/about-us

 

[Habana Mike]

Zarzuela (Spanish pronunciation: [θaɾˈθwela]) is a Spanish lyric-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken and sung scenes, the latter incorporating operatic and popular songs, as well as dance. The etymology of the name is uncertain, but some propose it may derive from the name of a Royal hunting lodge, the Palacio de la Zarzuela near Madrid, where, allegedly, this type of entertainment was first presented to the court.^[1] The palace was named after the place called "La Zarzuela" because of the profusion of brambles (zarzas) that grew there, and so the festivities held within the walls became known as "Zarzuelas".

There are two main forms of zarzuela: Baroque zarzuela (c. 1630–1750), the earliest style, and Romantic zarzuela (c. 1850–1950), which can be further divided into two. Main subgenres are género grande and género chico, although other sub-divisions exist.

Zarzuela spread to the Spanish dominions, and many Spanish-speaking countries – notably Cuba – developed their own traditions. There is also a strong tradition in the Philippines where it is also known as sarswela/sarsuela.^[2] Other regional and linguistic variants in Spain include the Basque zartzuela and the Catalan sarsuela.

A masque-like musical theatre had existed in Spain since the time of Juan del Encina. The zarzuela genre was innovative in giving a dramatic function to the musical numbers, which were integrated into the argument of the work. Dances and choruses were incorporated as well as solo and ensemble numbers, all to orchestral accompaniment.

 

[NSXCIGAR]

31-61, obviously. The manufacturing stamp is unusual. Looks like it's a step forward from the prior which were also 31-61 but closer to the late pre-Rev which to me would move it closer to the 40s or 50s. 

Hadn't researched the brand but @Habana Mike beat me--looks like I was pretty close to it being no earlier than 39. 

[Habana Mike]

You can get a box for 25 euros https://en.todocoleccion.net/collectables-cigar-boxes/antigua-caja-cigarros-puros-25-zarzuelas-fabrica-tabacos-montero-cuba-habana~x196779115

[Habana Mike]

3 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said:

31-61, obviously. The manufacturing stamp is unusual. Looks like it's a step forward from the prior which were also 31-61 but closer to the late pre-Rev which to me would move it closer to the 40s or 50s. 

Hadn't researched the brand but @Habana Mike beat me--looks like I was pretty close to it being no earlier than 39. 

Yes, the Google is strong with this one....

[NSXCIGAR]

Love the model name Zarzuelas. Let's do an Asia ER La Corona Zarzuelas Supremas, Dalias or Hermosos No. 1. 

[NSXCIGAR]

3 minutes ago, Habana Mike said:

You can get a box for 25 euros https://en.todocoleccion.net/collectables-cigar-boxes/antigua-caja-cigarros-puros-25-zarzuelas-fabrica-tabacos-montero-cuba-habana~x196779115

That one's got the traditional pre-Rev stamp so this looks like it definitely made it through to the 50s and based on the article with the grandson it sounds like the brand may have been in production at the time of the Revolution. But Rob's box would be closer to 39 than 61. Appears that the Zarzuelas lasted quite a while in the catalog. 

[ATGroom]

I recently added a 1962 catalogue that lists one cigar for Montero - a long and skinny called the Palma de Cuba. https://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/image/cubatabaco1962

[Ryan]

There were quite a few Montero brands before the revolution

Castañeda was owned by a Montero as was 

La Especialidad

Filotea

Filoteo

Fonseca

El Genio

Lurline

Para Mi

La Predilecta

Real Carmen

Rotario

Then there were the brands with the Montero name on them.

J. Montero

J. Montero y Ca. (The one above)

J Montero y Cia.

El Montero

Montero y Hnos. (Hermanos)

Pedro Montero

Radio Montero

Hijos de Montero

How successful or long-lived any of these brands were, I don't know. Most seem to have had a connection with Fonseca and Castañeda.

I have a 1950s box of Fonseca that has very similar packaging/imagery.

La Predilecta had originally been owned by Bock.

All of those brands, as far as I am aware, were based in Havana.

 

[Richard peters]

This forum with most of it’s members should be marked E for educational. Great work guys, thanks for the read.