The Perez-Carrillo family’s cigar roots trace to Cuba, where Ernesto Sr., born in 1904, learned tobacco artistry from his father. In 1948, he acquired El Credito factory in Havana, gaining prominence until the Cuban Revolution disrupted their lives. Fleeing to Miami, Ernesto Sr. restarted, buying El Credito in Little Havana. His son, Ernesto Jr., chased a jazz career but returned, assuming control after his father’s 1980 passing. Despite financial hurdles, he created La Gloria Cubana, which gained fame in 1992 through Cigar Aficionado. Sold in 1999, Ernesto later launched Casa Carrillo with his children, upholding their legacy of passion and quality.