Hunters & Frankau

What Hunters & Frankau does

Hunters & Frankau is a UK-based B2B importer and distributor of premium cigars, founded in 1790 and headquartered in London. The company has been the exclusive UK distributor of Cuban Havana cigars under appointment by Habanos S.A. since 1990, and distributes a portfolio that also includes non-Cuban lines (VegaFina from the Dominican Republic, La Invicta from Nicaragua/Honduras, and Villiger from Switzerland) to a tiered trade network of specialist tobacconists, hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, and wine merchants across the UK, with export reach into the Republic of Ireland, Gibraltar, and the Channel Islands.

The company operates with an asset-light B2B model, generating revenue from wholesale product sales to trade accounts. Its proprietary assets include the EMS (English Market Selection) annual quality stamp that guarantees authentic Habanos to UK consumers, the House Reserve aging program (cigars matured a minimum of 10 years under controlled humidity with individual inspection and Release Certificates), and the Masters of Havana Cigars Higher Certificate, an elite trade qualification unique to the UK. Hunters & Frankau exports to three adjacent markets and supports 8 La Casa del Habano franchises within the UK, providing training, marketing, and trade resource hub services to its account base.

The business occupies a regulatory moat in the UK market as the sole legitimate importer of Cuban Havanas, built on a 230+ year heritage and the legacy of co-designing the Montecristo brand in 1935. Its customer base is concentrated in luxury and premium hospitality (e.g., Bulgari Hotel, The Connaught, The Peninsula London) and high-end specialist retail (e.g., James J Fox, Davidoff of London, C.Gars), with the company itself operating as a 1-10 employee private limited company controlled by the Freeman family.

Name

Hunters & Frankau

Legal name

Hunters & Frankau Limited

Website

https://cigars.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1790

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hunters & Frankau is the UK's exclusive B2B importer and distributor of Cuban Havana cigars, appointed by Habanos S.A. since 1990. Founded in 1790, it supplies specialist tobacconists, luxury hotels, private members clubs, and La Casa del Habano franchises across the UK, Ireland, Gibraltar, and the Channel Islands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Cigar Distribution

NAICS

Tobacco Product and Electronic Cigarette Merchant Wholesalers (424940)

SIC

Tobacco Products (2100)

akta.pro primary industry

Cigars & Cigarillos Manufacturing & Brands (CRADAJAB)

Keywords

• Cigar distribution
• Habanos importer
• Premium tobacco wholesale
• Specialist tobacconist supply
• Aged cigar inventory

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Cigar Import & Distribution (B2B): Hunters & Frankau imports Havana cigars from Habanos S.A. and distributes to trade accounts (specialist tobacconists, wine merchants, hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs) across the UK domestic market and export markets (Republic of Ireland, Gibraltar, Channel Islands). They also distribute non-Cuban cigars (VegaFina, La Invicta, Villiger) to the same trade network. Revenue is generated from wholesale product sales to retailers and hospitality venues.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Hunters & Frankau is the exclusive UK importer and distributor of Cuban Havana cigars (Habanos) from Habanos S.A., appointed in 1990. The company imports and distributes a multi-branded portfolio of Cuban and non-Cuban cigars (VegaFina, La Invicta, Villiger, Guantanamera) to specialist tobacconists, wine merchants, hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, and La Casa del Habano franchisees across the UK and select export markets (Republic of Ireland, Gibraltar, Channel Islands). It also operates the House Reserve aged cigar program, the EMS UK quality stamp, and the Masters of Havana Cigars certification for trade customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• La Invicta: Own-label brand using the best tobacco from Nicaragua and Honduras
• House Reserve
• English Market Selection (EMS)

Products and services

• Cuban Havana Cigars (Habanos) Distribution Exclusive UK wholesale distribution of Cuban Havana (Habanos) cigars from Habanos S.A. to specialist tobacconists, wine merchants, hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, and La Casa del Habano franchisees across the UK and export markets.
• House Reserve Aged & Rare Collection Trade-offered collection of cigars aged for a minimum of 10 years in Hunters & Frankau's controlled warehouse, with 10+, 15+, and 20+ designations. Each box is individually inspected ("Revisado"), stamped, and released with a signed Release Certificate confirming manufacture date, release date, and rarity category. Includes first releases, discontinued lines, regional editions, and limited editions.
• Non-Cuban Cigar Portfolio (VegaFina, La Invicta, Villiger, Guantanamera) Multi-origin non-Cuban cigar portfolio distributed to the same UK trade network, including VegaFina (Dominican Republic), La Invicta (own-label using Nicaraguan and Honduran tobacco), Villiger (Swiss machine-made, represented since 1993), and Guantanamera / Cuban Minis and Cigarillos.
• EMS (English Market Selection) Quality Stamp Annual quality stamp applied to boxes and packs of Havana cigars destined for the UK domestic market, guaranteeing authentic products from Habanos S.A., expert shipping and storage, rigorous UK quality checks, all UK taxes paid, and compliant health warnings. Every box is opened and seals broken for inspection.
• Masters of Havana Cigars Higher Certificate Proprietary elite certification program for UK trade professionals covering agriculture, production, brands, vitolas, and general knowledge of Havana cigars. 5 sections, ~200 questions, 75% pass mark, oral and practical exam before the Board of Directors. Awarded the Master of Havana Cigars title and Higher Certificate.
• New UK Habanos Releases (Romeo y Julieta Sport Largos, Rafael Gonzalez Panetelas Extra, Fonseca Delicias) New UK Habanos releases introduced at Ignite 2026, distributed through the trade network at accessible price points.
• El Rey del Mundo La Reina Regional Edition 2018 UK Habanos Regional Edition, produced at El Laguito factory in Semi Boite Nature boxes of 24, named by Simon Chase. Ranked 7th in Cigar Journal's Top 25 Cigars of 2020.
• H. Upmann Magnum 54 2017 release measuring 4 3/4" x 54 ring gauge, the widest girth in the H. Upmann standard portfolio, presented in SLB boxes of 25 and 10. Long filler, all leaves from Vuelta Abajo, light to medium flavour.
• Havana Cigar Academy Training Mandatory training program for staff of Havana Cigar Specialists covering storage, recommending, and preparing Havana cigars, delivered via H&F's Havana Cigar Academy. Includes in-store training sessions by H&F Account Managers for Havana Cigar Points staff.
• Trade Resource Portal Login-based B2B portal for existing trade accounts providing brand information, new releases, press materials, promotional resources, and training materials. New account registration requires business details and H&F account number.

Quantifiable outcome

• EMS stamp guarantees authentic products from Habanos S.A., expert shipping/storage, rigorous UK quality checks, all taxes paid, and compliant health warnings
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, minor and core.

• Dalmore (The Dalmore Brand)supportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2026Hunters & Frankau partnered with Dalmore (prestigious single malt whisky brand) to host a tutored masterclass for Masters of Havana Cigars at the Bulgari Hotel London. Brand Ambassador Craig Swindell led an educational session exploring five Dalmore expressions (Port Wood, 18-Year-Old, 21-Year-Old, Cigar Malt Reserve, King Alexander III) paired with Partagás Lusitanias. H&F has organised tutored sessions for Masters dating back to 2013.
• James Barber TobacconistminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2026James Barber Tobacconist in Harrogate hosted the UK celebration of Cohiba's 60th anniversary. Hunters & Frankau supported the event which also served as a fundraiser for the Music Fund for Cuba (part of Cuba Vive Medical Aid Appeal). £6,380 was raised. José A. Cejas, Corporate Director of H&F and former Deputy Manager of Laguito factory, attended.
• Association of Independent Tobacco Specialists (AITS)supportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Hunters & Frankau is a sponsor and active participant in AITS events including the Ignite Show celebrating AITS's 50th anniversary. H&F showcased new Habanos product launches (Romeo y Julieta Sport Largos, Rafael Gonzalez Panetelas Extra, Fonseca Delicias) and hosted a blind tasting competition for trade visitors. H&F was named AITS Supplier of the Year in 2017.
• Music Fund for Cuba / Cuba ViveminorOthers · 1 January 2026Charitable partnership supporting Cuba and its people through medical aid. Cohiba 60th anniversary dinner at Harrogate raised £6,380 for the Music Fund for Cuba as part of the Cuba Vive, Medical Aid Appeal.
• Corporación Habanos S.A. (La Casa del Habano Franchise)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2025La Casa del Habano is a franchise of Corporación Habanos S.A. with over 150 locations worldwide. Hunters & Frankau supports the UK franchise network of 8 La Casa del Habano stores (including Pall Mall opened March 2025, Harrods, Harrogate, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Knutsford, Chester, Teddington). Franchisees offer comprehensive ranges including exclusive vitolas and rare cigars.
• Villiger SöhnesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1993Hunters & Frankau entered into partnership with Villiger Söhne (Switzerland) following their 1993 acquisition of Joseph Samuel & Sons. Hunters & Frankau has represented Villiger in the UK ever since. Villiger cigars (machine-made) are sold on every continent and have been available in the UK for more than half a century. Heinrich Villiger personally visited the factories and was a generous host and teacher, sharing knowledge about cigar manufacturing.
• Habanos S.A.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1990In 1990, Hunters & Frankau were appointed by Habanos S.A. (the Havana-based company responsible for distributing Cuban tobacco products worldwide) as the UK's Exclusive Distributor for all Havana brands. This exclusive appointment is the cornerstone of the company's business, giving them sole rights to distribute Cuban Havanas in the UK domestic market and making them the only legitimate source for authentic Habanos in the UK.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tabacalera S.L.U. Exclusive Habanos distributor for Spain (subsidiary of Imperial Brands). Runs B2B cigar distribution, Casa del Habano franchise network and complementary non-Cuban brands — directly comparable to Hunters & Frankau's UK role.
• Intertabak AG: Exclusive Habanos S.A. distributor for Germany and Austria. Operates the same exclusive-distribution and Casa del Habano franchise model that H&F runs in the UK, making it a structurally identical peer for cross-market comparison.
• Coprova: Exclusive Habanos S.A. distributor for France. Another regional exclusive distributor with the same principal relationship, trade-portal model and Casa del Habano franchise oversight — directly comparable in scope and mechanics to H&F.
• Pacific Cigar Co. Exclusive Habanos S.A. distributor for the Asia-Pacific region (Hong Kong-headquartered). Runs a parallel B2B and Casa del Habano franchise model distributing Cuban Havanas to tobacconists and luxury venues across multiple jurisdictions — the closest analogue to Hunters & Frankau's UK structure.

Others

• Villiger Söhne: Swiss cigar manufacturer (machine-made and premium lines) and Hunters & Frankau's supply partner since the 1993 acquisition of Joseph Samuel & Sons. An adjacent 'others' peer — supplies H&F's non-Cuban portfolio rather than competing with its Cuban franchise.
• Altadis (Imperial Brands): Broader tobacco conglomerate that owns Tabacalera (Spain) and stakes in Habanos S.A. itself. Operates as a broad incumbent across cigar distribution in continental Europe and provides a useful reference for valuation and margin benchmarking on exclusive-distribution businesses.

Broad incumbents

• Scandinavian Tobacco Group: Global tobacco conglomerate owning a broad cigar portfolio (CAO, Macanudo, La Paz) plus pipe tobacco and mass-market cigars. Operates as a broad incumbent in the same UK cigar trade channels, but with a much wider portfolio and price-point mix than H&F's premium-Habanos focus.
• Oettinger Davidoff: Swiss-based global premium cigar manufacturer and distributor (Davidoff brand). Competes with Habanos for premium cigar shelf space at the same UK luxury tobacconists (Davidoff of London / Edward Sahakian) H&F supplies — a broad incumbent competitor across the same premium category.
• Habanos S.A. Cuba-based global brand owner and exclusive principal of all Havana cigar brands, joint venture between Cuban state tobacco company and Imperial Brands. Sets H&F's terms, appoints exclusive distributors, and operates its own Casa del Habano franchisor role globally — a broad incumbent counterparty rather than direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Drew Estate: US-based premium cigar maker (Liga Privada, Acid, Kentucky Fire Cured) that has built a niche presence at UK premium tobacconists as a non-Cuban alternative to Habanos. An emerging player in the same premium UK retail channels, but with a different manufacturing-led model rather than distribution-led.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hunters & Frankau