New Cigar Factory in the Dominican Republic

Hostos Fernández Quesada is opening Tabacalera La Isla. Even though Fernández Quesada is just 36 years of age, he already has 20 years in the cigar industry under his belt. Most of that working for his uncle Manolo Quesada at the famous Quesada Cigar Factory. But he also worked for one of the main cigar band printers, cigar rings.

Tabacalera La Isla

The factory is starting small, with just 10 pairs of rollers. But with that size, Tabacalera La Isla is not the smallest factory. The total working space is 1400 square feet or 130 square meters. The factory resides in Santiago’s Gurabo industrial free zone. For tourists that know the Dominican Republic, it is near Camp David Resort. 

The new Tabacalera is currently rolling cigars for two private labels. Labels that are undisclosed. Yet Fernández Quesada says that his main goal is to get things rolling before possibly starting a brand of his own. It is a bold move to start a factory in the midst of a pandemic. But the tables are more than two meters apart. Tabacalera La Isla’s employees wear masks and have odorless hand sanitizer available at all times.

“Having spent most of my life working in premium cigar factories and in the premium cigar industry at large, I am excited to pursue my dream of opening my own premium cigar factory,” says Fernandez Quesada. “I feel fortunate and grateful to have been able to learn so much from so many iconic leader s of the premium cigar industry whom I love and respect. I intend to continue to make them proud, one premium cigar at a time. It was time to take a swing. I don’t want to turn 60 without having done this. It’s now or never.” And that’s why there is a new cigar factory in the Dominican Republic.