This brand began around 1840, when Herman Upmann a banker and cigar enthusiast offered to open a branch of his family owned bank in Havana Cuba. In 1844, he invested in a cigar factory, and from 1844 until 1922, his company functioned as both a bank and cigar business. Unfortunately, both businesses failed that same year. J. Frankau & Co., a British firm, purchased the brand and ran the factory until 1935. The company was eventually sold to Menendez y Garcia and Company.