When Sandy Cobas opened a modest cigar factory in the Westchester neighborhood of Miami in 1995, she couldn’t have imagined that three decades later, she and her daughter would be at the helm of one of the most respected boutique cigar operations in the U.S. El Titan de Bronze, now firmly planted in the heart of Miami’s Little Havana, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year with a limited-edition cigar—a Connecticut shade blend that honors the factory’s roots while pointing confidently toward its future.
More than just a milestone, the 30th anniversary release is a celebration of family, Cuban heritage, and an uncompromising commitment to quality that has defined El Titan de Bronze since day one. It’s also a testament to the power of women in an industry long dominated by men.
Born From ‘The Boom’
The factory’s name, El Titan de Bronze, is a nod to Cuban independence hero Antonio Maceo. “I just loved the strength in the name,” says Cobas, who was drawn to both the symbolic might of “Titan” and the historical resonance of the man behind it. That strength has been a fitting reflection of her own character—running a factory, raising a family, and earning respect in a business that requires resilience, resourcefulness, and passion.
The factory began as a way to consistently supply cigars for the family’s liquor store during the cigar boom of the 90s. “Customers would come in asking for cigars and I just couldn’t get them.” Cobas explains. “I went to Ernie [El Credito Cigar Factory], Camacho, Padrón, nobody had cigars, so I thought, ‘I’m just going to have to make my own.’”
She makes it sound simple enough in her trademark Jersey-accented, Cuban mother manner. You get the sense that not selling cigars didn’t cross her mind. She soon found it wasn’t simple and in fact, also wasn’t legal. After hiring a roller and setting him up with a table at the front of their residential neighborhood liquor store, a customer who happened to be an ATF agent explained the illegality of the operation.
She jokes that the cigar factory cost her a divorce. “I spent so much money on getting my license and on boxes and labels that it really did cost me my divorce.” By the time of said divorce in 1997, they were operating with eight rollers under the name La Herencia Cubana, a name she lost in the process. But the concept had proven to work. While other stores had no cigars to sell, hers was flush with product, so she left the liquor business, moved to Calle Ocho, and reopened as El Titan de Bronze Cigar Mfg. Today, the factory is as iconic as its surroundings, known for its traditional Cuban cigarmaking methods, family atmosphere, and high quality standards.
Enter Master G
In recent years, Cobas’ daughter, Gisselle Herrera, has stepped into the blending spotlight. Nicknamed “Master G” by family and friends, Herrera is the creative force behind recent hits like the COHIBA M and the Redemption—a reimagining of a blend originally created by her husband, Willy Herrera.
Willy, who cut his teeth at El Titan before joining Drew Estate as their master blender in 2011, remains a beloved figure in the story of the factory. While his career has taken him global, his influence and support remain close to home.
Redemption is more than just a name—it’s a declaration. “I wanted to do my own version of that cigar,” Gisselle explains. “The original was Willy’s, but I wanted a Redemption that reflected my palate and my approach to blending.”
aging room.
The result was a standout cigar that did more than hold its own. The Redemption earned a 93-point rating and was named the No. 4 cigar of the year for 2024 by Cigar Snob Magazine. “Whatever it is, this is good,” was Willy Herrera’s reaction when Gisselle handed him an early sample. “The chef does not disclose the recipe,” she teased. “Seriously,” he pushed. “What is it?” But Gisselle stood firm. “Do you like it?” she asked. “Because that’s all that matters.”
The friendly competition between husband and wife continues to fuel Gisselle’s drive. “He’s not a man of many words, but when he opens his eyes and asks, ‘What is this?’—I know I’ve got something,” she says with a smile.
“I have a distinct palate, and that comes through in everything I blend,” she adds. She sees blending as both an art and a science, guided by instinct, experience, and an endless pursuit of balance.
Her latest creation—the Titan 30th Anniversary—is a modern twist on the first Connecticut blend the factory ever made, originally crafted by her grandfather. “It’s a tribute to where we came from,” she says.”But it’s also a reflection of where I want to take us.”
Handmade in Little Havana
Walk into El Titan and you’re struck by the size, or lack thereof, but more importantly by its authenticity. The space is cramped, with framed photographs and old cigar signs battling for space on the walls with a motorcycle helmet belonging to one of the rollers and a stack of corrugated boxes waiting to be filled. It’s not for show, although you do get the sense that a reality TV show filmed here would never run out of material. Each cigar is rolled in the Cuban tradition: one roller per cigar, start to finish. No bunching machines, instead they employ the time-consuming entubado method. That means fewer cigars but ensures maximum flavor and complexity with a consistently good draw, and visual perfection—hallmarks of the brand. Cobas explains, “The rollers know that I am a pain in the ass, aside from everything else, the cigars need to be beautiful.”
“We ask our rollers how many they can do perfectly in a day. If they say 100, we don’t push them to 120,” Cobas says. “The focus is on quality, always.” It isn’t lip service; it’s how this tiny factory has managed to carve out a place for itself among the industry’s most respected brands.
Going Back to the Start
Though El Titan’s output is limited by space, its reputation has earned it national recognition. A pivotal partnership with General Cigar led to the production of the COHIBA M—a massive hit that introduced a broader audience to the factory’s unique style. That success has led to broader distribution for their own house brands, including Gisselle’s Redemption line.
Over the years, El Titan de Bronze has also produced acclaimed cigars for a diverse group including La Palina, Warped, and Drew Estate. Each project carries the El Titan hallmark: meticulous attention to detail, the best materials, and the hands of level 9 Cuban rollers, many of whom have worked with the factory for over a decade.
The 30th Anniversary cigar, which debuted at PCA 2025 in April, is limited to 12,000 cigars. It’s a medium-bodied Connecticut blend with a bit more kick than the original. “I like cigars with a little more strength,” says Gisselle, whose blending style leans toward richer, bolder expressions—even in milder wrappers.
The Connecticut wrapper is also a nod to the first cigar made at El Titan. “It’s our number one seller,” says Gisselle. “It’s what built this place, so I wanted to revisit it—but give it my own twist.”
Family First, Always
For all its success, the most remarkable part of El Titan de Bronze might be its atmosphere. It doesn’t feel like a factory; it feels like a home. Rollers have been there for more than a decade. Gisselle, Sandy, and even extended family are often on-site. There’s no loading dock—just a sidewalk where pallets are wrapped by hand and customers can walk in off the street.
“People ask if we have a back warehouse,” says Gisselle, laughing. “I point to the back room with two chairs and say, ‘That’s the warehouse.’”
The warmth of the place is intentional. Cobas beams when talking about her daughter: “She’s everything. I couldn’t do this without her.” Gisselle, in turn, credits her mother for laying the groundwork and setting the standard: “She taught me everything—how to be tough, how to demand the best, and how to be proud of who we are.”
El Titan de Bronze’s 30th Anniversary cigar isn’t just a commemorative release; it’s a milestone in a much larger journey. It represents three generations of dedication, a Cuban-American story of grit and grace.
For Sandy and Gisselle, it’s a time to reflect—but not to rest.
“We’re just getting started,” says Gisselle.
And with the Titan name shining brighter than ever—and a No. 4 cigar of the year to their credit—that legacy shows no sign of fading.
