Serafin de Cuba Cigars Rebrands El Capitan Amid Trademark Dispute

Serafin de Cuba Cigars has been compelled to rebrand its recently announced “El Capitan” line due to a trademark conflict. The boutique cigar company originally introduced the cigar as a tribute to their longtime friend and associate, Jose “El Capitan” Gallinat, a veteran of both the U.S. and Cuban armies who passed away in 2022.

However, in March, Serafin de Cuba was contacted by Villiger Cigars and issued a cease-and-desist order due to similarities with Villiger’s existing “La Capitana” brand. According to Arnold Serafin, this was an unforeseen issue, as the two brands have no connection. In response, Serafin de Cuba has swiftly rebranded the cigar under the “Tabacos Serafin TM” label and renamed it “Reserva 2506,” a homage to Gallinat and the Cuban Brigade 2506, a group of exiled Cuban fighters who took part in the historic Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961.

Despite this setback, Serafin de Cuba remains committed to honouring Gallinat’s legacy. The newly christened Reserva 2506 remains unchanged in blend and format—a meticulously crafted (7 x 54) torpedo featuring a Mexican San Andrés wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and filler. The cigar will retail at an MSRP of $15 each, with a limited production of just 1,000 boxes of 10 cigars.

The rebranded Reserva 2506 will still make its debut at the 2025 PCA Convention & Trade Show in New Orleans later this month, ensuring that Gallinat’s memory endures through this special release.

This isn’t the first trademark conflict with Serafin de Cuba in the recent years. There is still an unresolved conflict with Fratello.