Rodriguez Cigar Factory - Key West, Florida

Gabriella G.

We used Rodriguez Cigar Factory for a cigar roller and cigar table at our wedding. The cigars were excellent, and their recommendations for the boxes were very helpful since we didn’t know much about cigars.

However, there were a few challenges. The cigar roller was set up outside, so many guests weren’t aware of their presence. We purchased four boxes of cigars, but the roller only made about 10 cigars throughout the evening, leaving us with a lot of leftover cigars (not necessarily a bad thing!). I should have requested for them to be there during the cocktail hour as well. We wanted cigars to take photos with the bridal party, but since they weren’t there yet, we ended up having to buy some at the front desk.

Additionally, the cigar rollers could have looked the part a bit more to enhance the experience and match the vibe of the event. Communication during the planning process could also be improved, as it was sometimes difficult to get in touch. Overall, the cigars themselves were fantastic, but a few tweaks to timing, setup, and presentation could have made the experience more seamless and engaging for our guests.

William G.

My partner and I took the cigar rolling tour earlier this week. It was immediately evident that the proprietor truly loved his craft. From the way he spoke of his family’s heritage to the time he took with each person teaching them the finer points of discussing tobacco, Danny made the tour something wonderful. My only complaint was how quickly the time passed.

Everyone from aficionados to those who only enjoy cigars in passing, I promise that you’ll love your time spent here.

William P.

Really cool shop with great cigars! Staff were friendly and very helpful. Flew home and got my sticks into my humidor. Highly recommend a trip to see them.

Jeremy E.

In the sun-drenched streets of Key West, where history whispers through salt-tinged air, the Rodriguez Cigar Factory stands as both monument and living museum to a craft that has defined generations. This establishment isn't merely a shop—it's the continuation of a narrative that began in 1947 in the Las Villas province of Cuba, when Ángel and Daniella Rodriguez cultivated tobacco on their plantation, "La Finca de Carmencita."

Housed in a welcoming whitewashed building with exposed wooden beams and red brick walkway at 113 Fitzpatrick Street, the factory exudes Old Florida charm with a touch of home. A sign above the counter proudly announces: "Welcome to the Oldest Cigar Company in the Florida Keys • Est. 1984"—marking the year when the family, forced to flee Cuba after the nationalization of their plantation, found renewed purpose and hope in America.

Inside, time seems suspended beneath wooden rafters where golden pendant lighting bathes display cases in a warm glow, showcasing the factory's prized creations. The "Reserva Privada" series, aged four years and marked as "Sought After By Connoisseurs Worldwide," represents the heart and soul of their craft. These Nicaraguan-sourced cigars deliver a full-bodied experience with distinctly earthy notes that unfold like a good conversation—gradually revealing new depths with each moment spent together.

What separates Rodriguez from the tourist-trap cigar shops dotting Duval Street is genuine family passion. While Cuban tobacco remains inaccessible due to embargo restrictions, master rollers at Rodriguez employ traditional Cuban methods passed down through generations, hand-selecting and aging their Nicaraguan leaves with the care of family heirlooms. Aficionados will appreciate the perfect draw resistance—neither too loose nor constrictive—allowing flavors to develop from first light to final third like a well-told story.

The factory's tour feels like being welcomed into a family tradition. Visitors observe each loving step: the thoughtful selection of wrapper, binder and filler leaves; the careful molding; the gentle application of the delicate wrapper leaf; and the final cut. Your guide explains how Nicaragua's volcanic soil imparts distinctive mineral notes to their signature blends, creating a smoke that feels both novel and familiar.

Rodriguez's premium "Sampaguita" line (named after the Philippine jasmine) reveals an interesting footnote in cigar history: following Cuba's nationalization of tobacco farms, many Cuban families scattered globally, creating unexpected cultural fusions. This particular blend incorporates subtle Asian-inspired notes that complement rather than overwhelm the tobacco's natural character—a testament to the Rodriguez family's creativity while honoring their roots.

For serious collectors, the staff will happily share stories about their limited-release commemorative cigars that mark significant dates in Cuban-American relations—these treasures sell out quickly and are rarely advertised.

After sixty-seven years in the tobacco industry, the Rodriguez legacy continues not as a relic but as a living, breathing family tradition. For visitors seeking authentic connection to Cuban heritage beyond mojitos and key lime pie, this cherished establishment offers a meaningful link to a craft that transcends politics and persists through generations—one perfectly rolled cigar at a time.

Michael

They do make cigars here, but the quality is inconsistent. You're better buying from Key West factories or just from brands like Montecristo, etc. because you'll get a consistent and better product for less. They have a gift shop but all the products are cheap, like resin pipes, not wooden ones.

Helen B.

This place is amazing. We took the tour and hand rolled our own cigars today. I learned so much history! This is a Key West MUST Do!

Travis W.

Must do the cigar factory tour when visiting Key West. The owner gives a very wonderful background of the Key West cigar history and their factory. You learn what you look for in cigar and how to choose one. Plus you get to roll your own cigar! The prices are very reasonable for local high quality tobacco!

Nir Y.

What a great experience. Went on the factory tour (the word factory is a bit of an overage) which was very interesting. We learned about the different leafs how to build a flavor in a cigar and every person set and finished a cigar i.e., we put the rapper on our cigars.
Well, I tested one of their cigars, which was very nice I still need to check all the others.
As a cigar lover, I highly recommend it.