José Castelar Cairo: Cuba’s Master of the Endless Cigar

Among the great figures of Cuban cigar history, José Castelar Cairo, known to most as Cueto, stands in a class of his own. Recognized by the Guinness World Records for rolling the longest cigars ever made, Cueto is more than a record-setter. He is a public face of Cuban craftsmanship, a symbol of national pride, and a man who has dedicated his life to preserving and showcasing one of the island’s most celebrated traditions.

Born in Villa Clara, Cueto was introduced to cigar rolling at the age of 14. Like many Cuban artisans, he learned the trade from his father. From the beginning, he showed not only discipline but an uncommon attention to detail. Over the years, his reputation grew steadily among fellow rollers and cigar lovers alike. He honed his skills in a variety of cigar shops and factories, but it was at the historical La Triada shop inside Havana’s Morro-Cabaña complex where he became internationally recognized.

In 2001, Cueto captured the attention of cigar enthusiasts around the world when he rolled a cigar measuring 11.04 meters in length. This achievement earned him his first Guinness World Record. He crafted the cigar entirely by hand in front of a public audience, using only traditional methods and high-quality Cuban tobacco. The project took several days and drew attention from both local and international media.

Cueto did not stop with one record. He went on to break his own mark four more times. In 2003, he rolled a cigar measuring 14.86 meters. In 2005, he reached 20.41 meters. Then in 2008, he created a cigar that stretched 45.38 meters. Each new attempt was made with care and patience, always using Cuban-grown leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region, known for producing the finest tobacco in the world. In 2011, his cigar reached an astonishing 81.80 meters, again verified by Guinness officials and celebrated in Havana with a public ceremony.

Perhaps his most widely covered achievement came in 2016, when Cueto rolled a 90-meter cigar in honor of Fidel Castro’s 90th birthday. The work took him ten days to complete. He worked up to twelve hours per day, using approximately 80 kilograms of tobacco. The cigar stretched through several rooms of the Morro-Cabaña fortress, where it was displayed as part of an official tribute. While the cigar itself was never meant to be smoked, it was an undeniable demonstration of both skill and national symbolism. The piece received international coverage, including from the BBC and major cigar publications.

Cueto’s cigars are not only about length. They represent the endurance and value of traditional cigar making in a modern world where automation and mass production dominate. Cueto insists on the traditional methods, working leaf by leaf, without shortcuts. His performances at public events are not mere entertainment, they are demonstrations of precision, knowledge, and national heritage.

Visitors to Havana can still find Cueto at work in La Triada, located near the entrance of the Morro fortress. There, surrounded by historic stone walls and tourists with cameras, he continues to roll cigars with the same care as always. His presence there turns the space into more than a shop, it becomes a living museum of Cuban craftsmanship. Many stop not only to buy cigars but to watch the master work in silence, focusing only on the leaf in his hands.

Over the years, Cueto has been invited to represent Cuba at international cigar festivals and tourism fairs. While not a political figure, he has played a key role in cultural diplomacy, showing the world one of the country’s most admired traditions. His work has been featured in Cuban news outlets, international documentaries, and Guinness World Records publications. Despite the attention, he remains humble and focused on his daily work.

José Castelar Cairo’s story is one of dedication, repetition, and excellence. Through decades of work, he has built a name recognized far beyond the borders of Cuba. But what makes his contribution unique is not just the scale of his cigars, it is the fact that he remains committed to doing things the right way. By continuing to work, teach, and preserve the values of traditional cigar making, he ensures that the true spirit of the Habano is never lost.