ManufacturerCarreras Ltd.

Carreras Ltd.

Carreras Limited got its start in Spain in 1788, where it was founded by Spanish nobleman Don José Carreras y Ferrer. Don José fought in the Pennisular War under the Duke of Wellington, and was highly decorated, but was exiled from Spain due to his political views. He took his family and settled in London, England, where he continued on in the tobacco business and earned a great reputation for making fine cigars.

Don José died, and his business was inherited by his son, Don José Joaquin, who himself earned a reputation as a specialist in the blending of tobaccos and snuff. He established a new store at 61 Prince's Street, W. 1, near Leicester Square, in 1852, and was honoured the following year by receiving a Warrant as sole supplier of cigars and tobacco to the Spanish Legation in London. Don José Joaquin opened another store on Regent Street, W. 1, in 1866; among his clientele at that time were H.R.H. the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VII) and H.R.H. the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (both of whom bestowed upon Carreras Royal Warrents), and the Right Hon. George Grimston, 3rd Earl of Craven, after whom was named Carreras' Craven Mixture (and later, Craven "A" cigarettes). A further honour was granted to Carreras with the granting of a Warrant from H.M. King Alfonso XII of Spain in 1874.