Quesada Cigars: A New Chapter Under Raquel and Patricia Quesada Vega

The story of Quesada Cigars is as rich and layered as the premium cigars it produces, with a legacy spanning generations and marked by resilience, family dedication, and a commitment to quality. This year, the Dominican cigar company embarked on a transformative new chapter, as sisters Raquel and Patricia Quesada Vega assumed leadership of the iconic brand. Now fully owned by the Quesada Vega family, Quesada Cigars is embracing the future with a renewed sense of purpose, continuity, and ambition.

A Legacy Born from Family Ties

Founded in 1974 by Manuel “Manolin” Quesada, Quesada Cigars began as a family business rooted in passion and craftsmanship. Working alongside his son, Manuel “Manolo” Quesada, Manolin built the company into one of the most respected brands in the cigar industry. Manolo became the face of Quesada Cigars, representing it at industry events, conducting interviews, and solidifying its reputation. However, the family’s ownership journey was complex, shaped by unforeseen events and transitions over the years.

As Patricia Quesada Vega recounts, the company originally belonged to her grandfather, who left it to his sons—Manolo and Alvaro—upon his passing. However, tragedy struck the Quesada family in 2002 when Alvaro, his son Alvarito, and Manolo’s close colleague Julio Fajardo died in a plane crash. This heartbreaking event led to the creation of the Quesada Tributo brand as a tribute to the lives lost. Alvaro’s shares were passed down to his daughter Esther Quesada Bermudez, adding another layer to the family’s ownership structure.

Transition and Transformation

In recent years, Quesada Cigars faced several internal shifts. Patricia quietly departed from the company in 2017, and National Sales Manager Terence Reilly and family member Hostos Quesada followed suit in 2018. However, earlier this year, Patricia returned to the business alongside her sister Raquel. Their father, Manolo, suffered a severe health incident—a stroke and subsequent fall at the ProCigar Festival, which resulted in a fractured skull. This incident underscored the need for the family to re-evaluate the company’s future, setting the stage for the Quesada Vega family to fully acquire Quesada Cigars in September 2024.

Now with Raquel and Patricia at the helm, the company has embarked on a new era. “With bad things, good things happen,” Raquel remarked, embodying the sisters’ positive outlook and commitment to revitalizing the brand. Their father, though now residing in Spain to focus on his recovery, remains a guiding presence for the sisters, available for consultations via phone or Zoom.

The Sisters’ Vision: Honoring the Past, Building the Future

As they step into their roles, Raquel and Patricia are setting out to restore and strengthen Quesada Cigars’ position in the industry. Both sisters acknowledged that recent years have been challenging for the brand, which, as Patricia noted, had “suffered” from a lack of active leadership and necessary modernization. Now, they are taking bold steps to improve the company’s operations, streamline processes, and reconnect with retailers to reinvigorate the Quesada name.

Their approach reflects a careful balance of respect for tradition and a desire for innovation. “We’re updating our systems,” Patricia explained, adding that they intend to “be present, regain the retailers we have lost, with a new mentality.” The sisters are also committed to quality production and consistency, with their brands—particularly Casa Magna and Quesada—continuing to be made at their factory in Licey, Dominican Republic.

A Team of Complementary Strengths

In a recent interview with Cigar Aficionado, the camaraderie and shared enthusiasm between Raquel and Patricia were palpable. Their complementary personalities and skills have brought fresh energy to the business. “We’ve been finding out how much we complement each other,” Patricia noted. Raquel echoed this sentiment, highlighting their collective goal of retaining what’s working well within the company while embracing change where needed. “Whatever is in good shape here is going to stay,” she said. “But where there are possibilities to change for the better, we’re going to do that.”

The sisters’ leadership style combines strategic foresight with the familial warmth that defines Quesada Cigars. Their plans to reestablish connections with retailers, improve operational efficiencies, and cultivate new ideas signal a promising trajectory for the brand.

The Road Ahead for Quesada Cigars

As Quesada Cigars enters this new era, Raquel and Patricia Quesada Vega are determined to honor their family’s legacy while adapting to a changing market. Their journey embodies the resilience, adaptability, and dedication to craftsmanship that have sustained the Quesada brand for nearly five decades. With the sisters’ vision and hands-on approach, Quesada Cigars is well-positioned to reclaim its place among the industry’s most esteemed brands.

In the words of Raquel, “With bad things, good things happen.” For Quesada Cigars, this new chapter under the Quesada Vega family’s leadership is a testament to the enduring strength of family, resilience, and a shared passion for creating cigars that honor both tradition and innovation.