It all started in 1980 when Wal Baranow walked through a puff of smoke from a Cuban Bolivar XR2 (no longer in production) and exclaimed:

"Divine! I've simply got to sell these babies!"

Well not quite like that but well over twenty five years ago I fell in love with Cuban cigars, the whole mystique surrounding them, from the leaf in the ground to the Cuban drying sheds, to the Cuban rollers and finally to the people worldwide who smoked good Cuban cigars, what a great lifestyle.

My father, Nick started this business as a real old style tobacconist back in 1975 and rapidly grew it to be one of the largest and most reputable tobacco stores in Australia. I joined him in the late 70,s and very soon after he retired and handed over the reigns. I felt that apart from the normal cigarettes etc that there would be a good market for a store of this calibre to stock a large range of Cuban cigars and premium non-Cuban cigars.

Within a few years the cigar business was flourishing and the export side began in the mid 80's and again has just grown and grown to be one of the worlds best and most reputable mail order cigar stores worldwide.

My son Ben joined us in the late 90,s and has been a vital part in the running of Baranows and its expansion as in 2005 we planned to open our first Cigar lounge in Hawthorn. Baranows lounge and cigar store opened in January of 2006 and we welcome you to visit us whenever in Melbourne.

Wal Baranow.

Baranows Lounge