The narrative of Cigar Aficionado's 2012 Cigar of the Year begins in Cuba, where Jose Pepin Garcia lives with his son Jaime and daughter Janny. Pepin began rolling cigars when he was 11 years old in his birthplace of Baez. He grew to popularity as a skilled cigarmaker in Cuba, but yearned for freedom and opportunity. The Garcias departed one by one, finally making their way to Miami, where they began manufacturing cigars.

Their start was modest: the factory was small, with only a dozen rollers, and they didn't own the entire operation. But their first taste of fame came with the Tatuaje brand, which they created for Pete Johnson. It received critical praise and increased demand, prompting the family to strike out on their own, eventually erecting the vast and beautiful My Father Cigars S.A. factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.