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The Arturo Fuente cigar brand was born in 1912 in Ybor City, located in Tampa, Florida. Production of the brand ceased in 1924 when its factory was destroyed by fire. In 1930, production resumed. Up until the 1960s, cigars were made with Cuban tobacco. After the US trade embargo with Cuba was instituted, the cigars were made with Dominican tobacco.
In the 1970s, the brand moved production to Nicaragua. It ceased production there when its factory was burned down by the Sandinistas. Many believe that production has suffered since the relocation from Nicaragua and Fuente cigars today fall well short of Padrón cigars which are still produced in Nicaragua. Two months after relocating to Honduras, its factory there was destroyed by fire.
In 1980, after a brief stint producing cigars in Tampa, Florida, production was moved to the Dominican Republic, which today remains the primary center of the family's tobacco production. The company employees 2000 persons, owns 6 factories, and 4 plantations.
The Arturo Fuente line of cigars ranges from the inexpensive to the premium.
The Fuente Fuente Opus X, introduced in 1995, is the Fuente family's most renowned. There is a vast range of price and quality that encompass the Fuente product line. As stated, the Opus X is the Fuente "Flag Ship" but, others such as the Hemingway and 858 are quite popular as well. Fuente cigars provides smokers with a vast range of sizes as well, spanning from the tiny cigarillo to the giant presidente. The Fuente family also is known for quality control as well. The Fuente family packs their boxes with an advanced humidification device that helps to ensure the stability and freshness of the end product.