La minute HORACIO: the origin of an exceptional brand.

How was the Horacio brand born?

Horacio was born in 2008, on the initiative of three enthusiasts: Fabien Gil, Sylvain Toaldo and Christophe Leroy. United by their interest in the world of cigars, they decided to turn this passion into an entrepreneurial project. Their ambition was clear: to create cigars with character, while respecting the know-how, the terroirs and the time required for a quality production.

The adventure begins during a trip to Costa Rica. This discovery of cigar culture and of its manufacturing traditions fuels their desire to launch. Production then develops in Nicaragua, a country recognised for the richness of its terroirs and for the expertise of its master rollers. Since then, Horacio has continued on its path with the same standards and the same commitment to authenticity.

Three founders, one shared vision

Horacio’s strength also rests on the complementarity of its three founders. Fabien Gil, Sylvain Toaldo and Christophe Leroy share a common vision: to offer a tasting experience founded on quality, balance and sincerity.

In this capsule, Christophe Leroy, one of the three founders of Horacio, speaks directly of the birth of the brand and of this collective adventure. His words help us understand what guided the early decisions and what continues to drive Horacio today: the desire to share a passion and to introduce cigars crafted with care.

Why the name « Horacio »?

The name Horacio is inspired by Horatian poetry and by Quintus Horatius Flaccus, better known as Horace. This reference evokes a universe of measure, balance, pleasure and time fully lived. It echoes the brand’s approach: taking the time to select raw materials, to work on blends and to allow the cigar to express its full personality.

The name is therefore not limited to a graphic identity. It carries an intention: to inscribe each cigar in an experience where know-how and the art of living come together.

« La minute HORACIO », a series to tell the brand’s story

The series « La minute HORACIO » gives the floor to those who bring the Horacio universe to life. In a short format, each capsule reveals a facet of the brand: its history, its values, its know-how and its various creations.

This first testimony opens the series by returning to the essentials: the origin of Horacio and the vision of its three founders, Fabien Gil, Sylvain Toaldo and Christophe Leroy. Through Christophe Leroy’s testimony, this capsule conveys both a personal and a collective story, while shedding light on the choices that built the brand.

Conclusion

Born from the passion of three founders — Fabien Gil, Sylvain Toaldo and Christophe Leroy — Horacio has been built around a shared standard: creating cigars that are authentic, balanced and meant to be savoured over time. With « La minute HORACIO », the brand shares this story and invites the public to better understand the people, the know-how and the values that drive it.

Christophe Leroy, one of the three founders, testifies in this capsule to recount the beginnings of Horacio and the spirit that continues to guide the brand.