"World Longest Cigar" - Description

---The World's Longest Cigar is the product of three years of research and experimentation. We had to find the proper tobacco blend, tools, and equipment. In order to create a cigar of that magnitude, we had to determine the proper ring gauge and length. We contacted our friends at the Oliva Tobacco Co. to obtain the best material if possible in the market. Then I started experimenting in our workshop with the creation of the different molds and tools needed to make the cigar. An interesting point also, is that this was to be the first time ever, in the continental United States, that a cigar of this size would be created. The previous record was made in Cuba , April 6, 2005 by Josè Castelar and measured 66 feet and 11 1/8 inches. Preceding this last cigar attempt, a Dominican cigar maker by the name of Mr. Patricio Peña created a cigar in Puerto Rico, in January of 2005 that measured 63 feet and 3 inches. For more information in reference to our world record, please visit our site at , previous records or view photos.

---Our company will be celebrating their 85th Anniversary next year; therefore, this was the right time to attempt this feat. This company was founded by Benito Quintana Gonzalez, back in 1922. He and his brother José came from Puerto Rico as tobacco brokers representing another family business, was then that he took interest in this new and existing industry. The company re-organized several times during his history, but always as a family business. In the late 50's the company obtained the present name and logo, as a Florida corporation. And is basically the last original hand made cigar factory that still in operation in Tampa , proudly carry the City Seal.

We combined efforts and tied in our attempt with the “Cigar Heritage Festival” of Ybor City . The main idea was to bring to Tampa the title of the “Worlds Longest Cigar”, on November 18, 2006, on this the 120th Anniversary of Tampa Cigar heritage.

The tobacco (raw material) was prepared in advance and we started to manufacture the cigar on October 30, 2006, in our shop. At the time, we were making sections of 7 ½ feet long that would later be assembled at the “Cigar Heritage Festival”. It took 70 hours (15 days) to make all the sections. We had to do it this way because the B. A.T.F. (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) would not permit us to manufacture the cigar outside in the open air. After the cigar sections were completed on November 14, 2006, we were ready for the assembling process. During the manufacturing of the sections, my wife Margarita and I paid careful attention to the order in which the sections were going to be assembled.

During the morning of November 18, 2006 at 9:40 a.m., and with the assistance of 14 volunteers, we started the assembly process that took us 7 hours and 56 minutes to complete. The official size of the completed cigar was 101 feet (33.6 meters) in length, 61 ring gauge, and weighed 53.8 lbs. At the present time, not only is this cigar the longest ever made, it is also the most expensive single cigar ever made ($5,100.00 US Dollars). In our panel of judges were Mr. Arturo Fuentes, President of Tampa Sweetheart Cigar, Co., Mr. Tom Keating, President of the Ybor Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. Dean Uno, Master Patrol Officer for the Tampa Police Department. The Guinness adjudicator was not present due to a personal family emergency in London .

We received the official confirmation from Guinness World Records, LTD. in London, on Nov.23, 2006. We are very pleased to provide you photographs of the attempt the “World's Longest Cigar – 101 Feet” from our own collection. Go to >> Press - Kit Photos

cigarman@cigarsoftampa.com