Flor de Selva Cigars from Honduras – Affordable with Character
Flor de Selva cigars stand out for two reasons: an extraordinary origin story and a female founder – a rarity in the tobacco industry. The Frenchwoman Maria-Pia Selva, better known as Maya Selva, founded her own cigar brand in Honduras in 1995. The idea came from within her family – her grandfather sparked her early interest in cigars. A passionate fan of Honduran brands, he inspired Maya to combine her French and Honduran roots and make cigars from Honduras accessible to Europe.
How Maya Selva Became Known Through Rauchr
What started as an idea became Maya Selva’s life’s work. She traveled to Honduras to see tobacco cultivation and cigar production for herself. However, she wasn’t impressed with the taste of the local products. Instead of turning away disappointed, she used this realization as motivation: Maya wanted to create her own cigars that met her quality standards. She spent a year learning the craft on-site. A great source of support was Nestor Plasencia, an experienced producer and pioneer for many Central American brands.
Flor de Selva Cigars – Handmade in Honduras
By 1995, Maya was already able to ship her first batch to France – the beginning of a brand that remains successful to this day. Today, the company employs more than 200 people in Honduras and Nicaragua, producing over one million hand-rolled cigars annually.
Proven Formats and a Solid Selection
Flor de Selva stands for reliable quality and great value for money. The blends developed by Maya are known for their clear aromas, which resonate with European aficionados. In total, Flor de Selva offers 13 formats that have become established staples. One highlight is the “Tempo” cigar – slightly stronger, with smooth roasted aromas and an honest character. Also part of the brand family are the Cumpay cigars and the popular classic Villa Zamorano.
Confusion with Flor de Copan is not uncommon, but in terms of flavor, the two brands follow different paths. Distribution in Germany is handled by Kohlhase & Kopp, who also distribute established brands like De Olifant, Santa Damiana, and Rocky Patel. Within the Flor de Selva range, you’ll find not only classic formats like Panetela or Churchill but also the popular Maduro version.
