Selected Tobacco opened a new 3,000-square-meter (30,000-square-foot) premium cigar factory in Madrid, marking the return of premium cigar production to Spain for the first time in more than 50 years. The five-story facility signals a rare revival of Spain’s historic role in global tobacco manufacturing, reintroduced through a modern, vertically integrated model focused on long-term aging, craftsmanship, and controlled production.
Founded by Nelson Alfonso, and known for cigar brands Atabey, Byron, Alfonso, and Bandolero, Selected Tobacco said Madrid was the sole location considered for the project, reflecting Alfonso’s personal connection to Spain and a deliberate effort to rebuild the country’s presence in premium cigar making through contemporary infrastructure rather than nostalgia.
The facility is designed to guide tobacco and visitors through the entire production lifecycle. Raw tobacco enters on the ground floor for sorting, fermentation, and aging, while upper levels house design studios, rolling galleries for master torcedores, and a central space capable of hosting industry and consumer events. A key feature is what the company describes as the world’s largest multi-cedar-lined humidor, consisting of 24 individual aging rooms, supporting Selected Tobacco’s proprietary aging protocols.
Additional areas are dedicated to fermentation and leaf aging, including rooms equipped with French oak wine barrels used to rest wrapper and filler tobaccos. A hydroponic grow room supports seed development and agricultural experimentation, reinforcing a seed-to-cigar philosophy. The top floor includes a private smoking lounge and terrace overlooking Madrid, emphasizing hospitality alongside production.