Castaing Díaz Cigars, Unexpected Qualities

Born and raised in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, Francisco Díaz Bello considers himself a “true Dominican” because he travels across the entire country and deeply identifies with each province. He proudly mentions having good friends everywhere, with whom he shares great moments and Castaing Díaz Cigars. These cigars offer smokers a unique experience: “creaminess, aroma, and flavors that you don’t typically find in a new cigar or an emerging brand.”

Like many of his peers—as he refers to others in the cigar industry—Francisco Díaz Bello launched Castaing Díaz Cigars during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, his roots in tobacco run much deeper. His maternal grandfather, Don Ventura Bello, grew tobacco in a field in Yamasá, Monte Plata province, where Francisco and his siblings spent entire school vacations as children.

He fondly recalls his grandmother, Doña Evangelista de los Santos, smoking Andullo tobacco in a pipe, which “the old man prepared.” They would sit together, sharing stories and enjoying each other’s company. “Our grandparents spoiled us rotten. We were happy, free, and everything there was spectacular—even the fresh spring water from the mountains was incomparable.”

Born and raised in Santo Domingo, the Dominican capital, Francisco would bring his grandfather cigars that his father sent from the United States. “When I arrived at the field, the old man would light up with joy over those cigars.” Although Don Ventura and Doña Evangelista passed away in their 90s, the tobacco fields remain. However, Francisco’s uncles, who still live there, shifted their focus from tobacco to cacao.

A Brand, Two Last Names

Years later, Francisco’s reconnection with cigars happened by chance. He needed to send Dominican cigars to a friend living in the U.S. In 2020, his search led him to Santiago and his current manufacturer, William Santos. Their conversations sparked Francisco’s interest in the industry, and he began to explore cigars more deeply. “Cigarettes, hookahs, and vapes don’t interest me… It was the cigar that captivated me—its aroma, texture, and everything that comes with smoking a fine cigar.”

What started as casual visits to smoke with William soon turned into a passion. Francisco not only developed a taste for cigars but also began envisioning a business. Together with William, he started designing his own cigar blends. “To truly understand, you have to taste. I’ve tried many cigars, and I still do at night, at home, when I sit back to enjoy them with a sip of Mamajuana…”

The brand’s name combines the last names of its partners: Castaing and Díaz. Francisco partnered with his nephew, César—the son of his older sister—who lives in the U.S. “There are three siblings, and we’re very close. We even lived together for a while. During one of his visits, we sat down to try the cigar I had chosen, and he liked it. I told him I wanted to create a personal brand with premium cigars, and he agreed to join me.”

“What started as smoking with friends, sharing good times, took shape with my partner. We created the brand and our company, but we waited until 2024 to launch because cigars need time to rest. For now, we’re only in the Dominican Republic, but we’re fully committed to moving forward.”

A Growing Portfolio

Francisco discusses his current offerings: the Sensation line, featuring two vitolas and blends. One is a box-pressed Toro, 6 inches with a 54 ring gauge, wrapped in Mexican Negro San Andrés, with a Cuban binder and a filler blend from the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Nicaragua. The other is a Toro, 6 inches with a 54 ring gauge, wrapped in Habano, with a Corojo binder and fillers from Cuba and the Dominican Republic. He also hints at a new cigar in production, Temptation, a 6-inch, 54-ring-gauge Torpedo with a Negro San Andrés wrapper, set to hit the market before the end of the year.

With a medium strength profile, these cigars cater to experienced smokers. However, the brand plans to expand its portfolio in “two steps,” introducing options for beginners or those just starting to appreciate “the deliciousness of cigars. A milder strength, but one that keeps you coming back and pairs well with coffee or a light beer.”

Thanks to his job as a sales representative for Claro, a telecommunications company, Francisco has the opportunity to travel across the country and promote his brand “everywhere.” His strategy focuses on direct sales, and he’s also found success at Amigos Cigar Café in San Cristóbal. “I always respond to requests on Instagram (@castaingdiaz_cigars) or WhatsApp. We coordinate, and I ship anywhere in the world.”

He knows that some smokers are loyal to a single brand, so he follows his usual approach: “I hand a cigar to a friend or colleague and say, ‘Try this.’ When they tell me it’s good, I already know, but I need more feedback to ensure others will enjoy it too.”

According to Francisco, what sets his cigars apart is the unique experience they offer. “The creaminess, aroma, and flavors aren’t common in a new cigar or an emerging brand. I’ve worked closely with my manufacturer to create the blends, test them, and give the cigars the necessary time to rest and deliver their best.”

Like every entrepreneur entering the industry, his medium- and long-term goals are to position the brand in international markets as “a worthy representative of the Dominican Republic, which enjoys an excellent reputation… To take our product global, grow the brand, and establish a strong distribution network. Right now, we’re planning to expand across our country as the first step.”