Joyas de Panamá Cigars: History of Cigars in Panama

The history of tobacco in the Republic of Panama is very old; the commercialization of tobacco is already mentioned in the chronicles of Portobelo during the colonial era. Panama has always produced raw tobacco for domestic consumption. Since pre-hispanic times the tobacco leaves were traditionally used to hand-roll small cigars, rolled on their knees, and this tradition is still maintained.

In the early 1980’s it is considered to have been the Golden Age of Tobacco in Panama. This occurred with the arrival of Cubans, Gilberto Oliva, Nestor Plascencia and others who began to plant Cuban seed tobacco in the Republic of Panama, this tobacco being considered of excellent quality worldwide.

In March 1981 the Cubans founded the Cocle Tobacco Factory in Penonome, located in front of the Ministry of Agricultural Development in Penonome. 

In 1984 Mr. Juanciro Diez and Mr. Gilberto Oliva from Cuba founded the first Tabacos Panama S.A. factory in La Pintada. The factory later changed its name to Jhosep Llopis.

With the successful culmination of their business activities in Panama, these gentlemen moved their tobacco companies to Nicaragua and Honduras due to the political and economic climate in Panama, but not before leaving a legacy in the planting of  great Cuban seed tobacco in the areas of Sortova, Sonadora and La Pintada de Cocle and having left the knowledge not only for the curing process of tobacco leaves but also in the manufacturing of cigars. 

It is worth mentioning that Sra. Miriam Padilla was the production manager for Gilberto Oliva’s company, and she inherited all this knowledge of cigar production and manufacturing from all these great Cuban masters and this humble factory was able to take advantage of all the knowledge provided by the Cubans during their tobacco venture in the Republic of Panama. They left behind the knowledge that has helped Panama become known for it’s a good cigar manufacturing

When the Cubans left Panama Sra. Miriam Padilla, began making cigars in a wooden shed, although at that time she did not have the name Joyas de Panama.

In February 1986 Sra. Miriam Padilla founded the Joyas de Panama Cigar Factory in La Pintada de Cocle snd despite the fact that its beginnings were humble and very difficult it became the first permanent cigar factory in the Republic of Panama, continuing operations until 2023. 

This factory paused operations during the COVID years and Sra. Miriam Padilla’s desire to retire, but not without leaving a legacy of excellent cigars such that the supply of good Cuban seed tobacco cigars was  curtailed.

Her son Braulio Zurita, having grown up working in the business and now having time, reopened and manages the Joyas de Panama Cigar Company, with Mrs. Padilla as a mentor and advisor, continuing the tradition of rolling fine cigars made with Cuban seed tobacco using traditional Cuban rolling techniques, to the delight of national and international smokers.

The Joyas de Panama Cigars factory produces two brands: Joyas de Panama and Flor de Panama both using Cuban seed tobacco and traditional Cuban rolling techniques.

For more information contact Braulio Zurita at Joyapan@yahoo.com.