Cigars

La Unica was born from a handshake between two cigar-world pioneers. In 1986, Stanford J. Newman of J.C. Newman Cigar Co. challenged his friend Carlos Fuente, Sr. to create a handmade Dominican cigar with true premium quality, then sell it in an affordable cellophane bundle. At the time, bundled cigars were largely viewed as factory seconds, but the pair believed smokers cared more about what was inside than fancy packaging. Carlos Fuente, Sr. selected the sizes, Stanford J. Newman approved the blend, and La Unica became America’s best-selling premium bundle cigar within six months.

That first release also marked the beginning of the enduring partnership between the Newman and Fuente families, which later produced celebrated names including Diamond Crown and Cuesta-Rey. La Unica is still handmade at Tabacalera A. Fuente in the Dominican Republic using its original foundation of aged Cuban-seed Dominican long-fillers. Smokers can choose the creamy Natural, finished in a delicate shade-grown wrapper, or the richer Maduro, wrapped in dark Connecticut Broadleaf.

The name La Unica translates to “the only one,” and it fits a cigar that created an entirely new lane. After spending nearly 25 years in its groundbreaking bundle format, the brand moved into cedar boxes while keeping the approachable character, dependable construction, and honest value that made it famous. Smooth enough for newer smokers and satisfying enough for longtime fans, La Unica proves that premium craftsmanship does not need a premium-sized price tag.