Standard Production Cigars

Quai D'Orsay No.54

The Cigar

This is an entirely new size within the Habanos SA portfolio. It is very similar to the Montecristo Edmundo but a fraction wider. A light bodied, easy going and thoroughly modern Havana that is packed full of Gallic charm. 

Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchill

The Cigar
#15 Cigar Aficionado Top 25 Cigars 2024

Here is one of the new generation of extra heavy weights which was released in 2010 and remains a unique size in the standard Habanos S.A. portfolio.

VITOLA: Montesco
RING GAUGE: 55
LENGTH: 5 1/4 inches - 130 mm
FLAVOUR: Medium

Quai D'Orsay No.50

The Cigar

This 2017 release from Quai D'Orsay offers smokers a lighter alternative in a popular size, and comes dressed in a new band that is destined to become standard across the range. 

Partagas Serie D No.4

The Cigar

Many see this as the definitive Robusto. With its controlled, rich, complex taste and distinctive red and gold band, they have a good point. A pure bred Havana.

Montecristo No.2

The Cigar

If ever one brand has come to dominate a particular vitola, this is it. The classic Pirámide or ‘torpedo’ size. Easy burning with a controlled release of faithful Montecristo flavours; many devotees look no further than this.

Ramon Allones Specially Selected

The Cigar

One of the great traditional robustos favoured by seasoned smokers. Rich in taste, spicy in aroma. Also available in Cabinet Selection bundles of 50.

VITOLA: Robusto
RING GAUGE: 50
LENGTH: 4 7/8 inches - 124 mm
FLAVOUR: Full

Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill

The Cigar

For too long there was no robusto in Romeo’s range, so the arrival of the Short Churchill in 2006 proved most welcome. It was the first medium flavoured cigar from Cuba in this popular vitola. Hardly surprising, then that it has been a huge success.

VITOLA: Robusto
RING GAUGE: 50
LENGTH: 4 7/8 inches - 124 mm
FLAVOUR: Medium

Bolivar Belicosos Finos

The Cigar

As one would expect from a brand that is named after such a powerful figure, this cigar is full bodied. Bolivar is simply one of the richest and most commanding brands within the Habanos portfolio. Although not for the novice, these traits are what make it one of the most sought-after names amongst more experienced cigar smokers.

The full gauge of the Belicoso Fino, combined with the tapered end of this Campana shape, which means “bell” in Spanish, creates the ideal format for a robust blend of leaves. The Belicoso Fino is presented either in labelled boxes or Cabinet Selection bundles of 25 cigars. The cigars in bundles are now banded.

In 2007 Cigar Aficionado described this cigar as “A gorgeous torpedo gleaming with oils. It has a near perfect draw that imparts a luxuriously textured smoke rich with profound wood and tobacco flavours”. Then, when revisiting the cigar in 2010 went on to say “The smoke has a velvety texture and is full of toast, earth and cedary flavours that cohere to a floral, herbaceous finish”. They also scored it an impressive 92 out of 100.

Commercial Name: Belicosos Finos
Factory Name: Campana
Dimensions: 5½” (140mm) x 52 ring gauge
Flavour category: Full

Production method: Totally handmade using long filler with all leaves sourced from the Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba Presentations: 25-cigar Cabinet (SLB)

H.Upmann Half Corona

The Cigar:

The first 31 /2 inch (90mm) Havana to be introduced since the Second World War. Its forebear, called the Half-a-Corona, was in its day the biggest selling Havana size by far.

Hoyo De Monterrey Double Coronas

The Cigar

A mighty cigar with a surprisingly subtle and creamy flavour. It rocketed to stardom when the second issue of Cigar Aficionado rated a late ‘80s example 99 out of 100. Still a cigar to be reckoned with.

Montecristo No.4

The Cigar:

Simply the most popular individual handmade cigar in the world. Its rich, tangy, medium to full flavour acts as the benchmark for most smokers embarking on the journey to find their preferred Habano. Many return to it.

Partagas Serie P No.2 

The Cigar

A rich, earthy, full flavoured ‘torpedo’. This easy drawing, satisfying size was a welcome addition to Partagas when Habanos S.A. introduced it in 2005. The P stands for Pirámide – its factory name.

H.Upmann Majestic

The Cigar

An inexpensive cigar for its size, the Majestic projects an image well above its price bracket. The taste is somewhat more intense than many Upmanns, but if you know what you are buying, you will be rewarded.

Montecristo Edmundo

The Cigar

Named after Alexandre Dumas’ hero Edmundo Dantes in ‘The Count of Montecristo’, the Edmundo was one of the first extra heavy gauge, parejo sizes produced in Cuba in the 21st century. Big and rewarding.

Montecristo No.5

The Cigar:

The smallest of Montecristo’s original, tightly defined range. A good pressed cigar with a flavour and aroma that develops during smoking. A faithful companion almost anywhere.

Romeo y Julieta Churchill

The Cigar

Romeo’s time honoured star size. The vitola dates from the early 20th century. Churchill permitted his name to be used on it from the mid 1950s. Imposing, statesmanlike; a commanding size that rewards the smoker with richly developing flavours.

VITOLA: Julieta No.2
RING GAUGE: 47
LENGTH: 7 inches - 178 mm
FLAVOUR: Medium

Montecristo Petit Edmundo

The Cigar

Edmundo’s little brother blessedly burst onto the scene just ahead of the smoking ban, so that devotees of heavy gauge, intense flavoured cigars had a shorter alternative.

Por Larranaga Piccadores

The Cigar

This 2014 release is only available from La Casa del Habanos and Havana Cigar Specialists. However, its light to medium blend with distinctive floral and zesty notes makes it well worth seeking out. Ideal after lunch with a cold glass of buttery Chardonnay.

Cohiba Medio Siglo

The Cigar

The Medio Siglo, literally “Half Century” was released to celebrate the brand’s 50th anniversary and draws inspiration from the Linea 1492’s shortest (Siglo I at 4”, 104mm) and widest (Siglo VI at 52 ring gauge) offerings.

The unique ‘extra fermentation’ that is conducted on the Seco and Legero of all Cohibas lasts for up to eighteen months and is conducted at the factory in cedar barrels. This extra age creates a unique taste. The famous Cohiba flavour is most often described as ‘Grassy’, although others have noticed tones of vanilla, cocoa and coffee. It is often noted how this extra fermentation makes the taste ‘smoother’ and more refined.

This very modern looking cigar delivers bundles of characteristic Cohiba taste, in a format ideal for when time is short. The wide gauge helps produce an abundance of smoke that drenches the palate and rewards the smoker with an easy, rounded and yet sophisticated experience. 

Line: La Linea 1492
Flavour: Medium
Vitola: Medio Siglo
Ring Gauge: 52
Length: 4 Inches / 102mm

As one would expect from a cigar brand named after such a powerful figure, this cigar is rich and full bodied. It is simply one of the richest and commanding brands within the Habanos portfolio. Although this is certainly not a cigar for the novice, these traits are what make it one of the most sought-after marques among more experienced cigar smokers.

The full gauge of the Royal Coronas (known as a Robusto within Cuban cigar factories) creates the ideal format for this muscular blend of leaves, creating a cigar of exceptional balance.

Cigar Aficionado recently reviewed this cigar, scoring it an impressive 94 out of 100 saying “Current Bolivar RCs (Royal Coronas) seem to take their inspiration from what we consider one of the golden ages for Cuban smokes, the late 1980s and early 1990s. That was when Cuban cigarmakers created and made some of their best cigars. “They also made it their Cigar Of The Year in 2006.

Min Ron NEE, in ‘An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Post Revolution Havana Cigars’ describes the royal Coronas as ‘Suave’ with ‘earthy and peppery flavours’. He goes on to add ‘Bolivar is one of my favourite brands. If I was condemned to smoke only one brand, I have no hesitation that Bolivar would be the choice’.

Commercial Name: Royal Coronas
Factory Name: Robusto
Dimensions: 4 7/8” (124mm) x 50 ring gauge
Flavour category: Full
Production method: Totally handmade using long filler with all leaves sourced from
the Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba
Presentations: Labelled box of 25 untubed and labelled box of 10 tubed cigars

Quai d’Orsay was established in 1974 for the French market. The brand takes its name from the avenue in Paris beside the river Seine that used to be home to the headquarters of SEITA, the then state- owned tobacco importer for France who with

Cubatabaco (now Habanos s.a.), joined forces to produce an elegant Cuban brand with a certain je ne sais quoi.

In 2017 the brand received a make-over and two new modern sizes were introduced (No. 50 & No. 54) to join the one remaining surviving vitola (Coronas Claro). Since  then the brand has gone from strength to strength with Quai d’Orsay selected by Habanos s.a.to join the Habanos Limited Edition family in 2019 (Senadores) and by numerous Habanos Distributors around the world to represent their market as a Habanos Regional Edition.

The No.52 is a new vitola within the standard Habanos portfolio and like its two counterparts, is named after the ring gauge it boasts. It is perhaps closest in size to the Montecristo Double Edmundo, sharing its length but with a two-point wider girth.

Classified as light bodied, this is a delicate, well- balanced and thoroughly modern Habanos.

H.Upmann No.2

The Cigar

A classic Piramide that has lived for many years, undeservedly, in the shadow of its better known half-brother the Montecristo No.2. Less punchy in taste, but distinctly aromatic with all the burning qualities that the shape bestows

Bolivar Petit Coronas

The Cigar

Simon Bolivar was one of the great historic figures of the 19th Century who liberated much of South America from Spanish rule.

The Bolivar brand was created in 1902 and is based today in the Partagas factory which is in the heart of Havana. 

It is perhaps not surprising that a Habano named after such a powerful figure is blended to match his might. Bolivar is among the strongest, most full bodied of all Habanos. It boasts an unrivalled richness of flavour in its blend of Vuelta Abajo zone filler and binder tobacco that makes it one of the most sought-after marques amongst experienced smokers. 

Length: 5 1/8" 
Ring Gauge: 42
Flavour: Full
Vitola: Mareva

Montecristo Double Edmundo

The Cigar

Introduced in 1971, this commanding shape remains the longest in production in Cuba. A mythical vitola that rewards the aficionado with a mounting richness of taste.

Partagas Short

The Cigar

One of the great small Havanas. It punches above its weight, so to speak, giving the impression of a larger size. Good after a meal or to take on your travels.

Ramon Allones Gigantes

The Cigar

An exceptional Double Corona with all the depth of flavour that Ramon Allones always promises. Its full potential is revealed steadily during the hour or more it takes to smoke.

VITOLA: Prominente
RING GAUGE: 49
LENGTH: 7 5/8 inches - 194 mm
FLAVOUR: Full

 Montecristo Petit No.2

The Cigar

All the medium to full character of the classic No.2 in a shorter smoke. A welcome additon to Montecristo’s line-up, which is also dressed in the new band.

Cohiba Exquisitos

The Cigar

A cigar for the morning, with plenty of taste to sharpen the palate. The favourite size of former El Laguito (the home factory for Cohiba) Director Emilia Tamayo, the first women ever to manage a Havana Factory

Line: La Linea Classica
Flavour: Medium to Full
Vitola: Seoane
Ring Gauge: 33
Length: 5 Inches / 125mm

Partagas Serie D No.5 

The Cigar

Following the success of a limited edition version of this size in 2008 the Serie D No.5 joined the ranks of Partagas’s standard sizes in 2011. Its tobacco leaves are selected and aged according to the normal criteria for the brand.

Romeo y Julieta Petit Churchill

The Cigar

2012 saw the arrival of the third and possibly the last of the additions to Romeo’s famous Churchill line. Petit Churchills join the Short and Wide Churchills to offer a range of heavy girth vitolas for all occasions

VITOLA: Petit Robusto
RING GAUGE: 50
LENGTH: 4 inches - 102 mm
FLAVOUR: Medium

Cohiba Esplendidos

The Cigar

Cohiba's brilliant Churchill size., first seen in 1989. Beautifully presented in mid-tone wrappers. Make time for this stately cigar, the king of the Linea Clasica

Line: La Linea Classica
Flavour: Medium to Full
Vitola: Julieta No.2
Ring Gauge: 47
Length: 7 Inches / 178mm

Montecristo Especial No. 2

The Cigar

Another vitola that Montecristo shares with Cohiba. Slender ring gauges may not be in vogue these days, but 38 is sufficient to house the full Montecristo blend in a dapper shape

Ramon Allones Small Club Coronas

The Cigar

A substantial small cigar that delivers much more flavour and aroma than its diminutive dimensions might suggest.

Sancho Panza Belicosos

The Cigar 

A rare, medium-bodied Belicoso that merits searching out. Classy.

VITOLA: Campana
RING GAUGE: 52
LENGTH: 5 1/2 inches - 140 mm
FLAVOUR: Medium

Cohiba Maduro 5 Magicos

The Cigar
#8 Cigar Aficionado Top 25 Cigars 2024

A stocky cigar with a dark countenance added by 5 years ages wrapper taken from the upper leaves of shade-grown plants. Rich, spicy and with a great draw. Suits aficionados with limited time. 

Line: La Linea Maduro 5
Flavour: Medium to Full
Vitola: Magico 5
Ring Gauge: 52
Length: 4 1/2 Inches / 115mm

The Cigar

The rich, sweetish Maduro 5 flavour in a compact size, which burns well and delivers an intense aromatic taste. A little jewel. 

Line: La Linea Maduro 5
Flavour: Medium to Full
Vitola: Secretos 5
Ring Gauge: 40
Length: 4 3/8 Inches / 110mm

Cohiba Panetelas

The Cigar

The smallest of the three Cohiba originals. The true taste of Cuba's most prestigious brand for a few precious minutes.  It is similar to other Cohibas from the classic range only with stronger bean flavours and hints of smoky leather.

Line: La Linea Classica
Flavour: Medium to Full
Vitola: Laguito No.3
Ring Gauge: 26
Length: 4 1/2 Inches / 115mm. 

San Cristobal La Punta

The Cigar 

A belicoso size named after the small fort on the point of the entrance to Havana harbouropposite the Morro Castle. Shows all the great smoking qualities of this figurado size.

VITOLA: Campana
RING GAUGE: 52
LENGTH: 5 1/2 inches - 140 mm
FLAVOUR: Light to Medium

Vegas Robaina Unicos

The Cigar 

There is no better shape than this piramide or torpedo to deliver the richness of Vegas Robaina’s medium to full blend. A tribute to all the farmers of Vuelta Abajo.

VITOLA: Piramide
RING GAUGE: 52
LENGTH: 6 1/8 inches - 156 mm
FLAVOUR: Medium to Full

Montecristo Media Corona

The Cigar

As just 3 1/2 (90mm) long, this is as short a cigar you will find being made in Cuba today. However, despite its lack of length it is still able to deliver plenty of Montecristo taste. Ideal for when time is an issue.  

Do not overly concern yourself if the Mille Fleur looks familiar, it shares its dimensions and blend with the ever-popular Petit Corona within the same brand.

As Juliet herself may have said, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet”.
Measuring 5 1/8” (129mm) x 42 ring gauge, the Mille Fleur has been produced in Cuba for over half a century. However, up until 2002 it was a machine-made cigar and not imported into the UK. Now they are all made entirely by hand using long-filler tobacco leaves, Tripa Larga – Totalmente a mano.

The French name translates into English as ‘thousand flowers’ and, as you would expect with such a name, it is a cigar with a generous floral bouquet. Serendipitously, it has arrived in the UK at the start of springtime.

Romeo y Julieta is one of the most loved and respected Habanos brands with its elegant, medium-bodied aromas blended from some of the finest tobaccos grown in the Pinar del Rio region of Cuba.

Read a review by Greg Horvath

Punch Punch

The Cigar:

The signature Corona Gorda size that has been a big player amongst heavy girth Havanas for five decades. You can depend upon it to deliver the vivacious notes that separate Cubans from the rest. Now in aluminium tubes.

Montecristo No.3

The Cigar

Another of the original Montecristos; this one a Corona. From start to finish it maintains the true taste of this brand.

Vegas Robaina Famosos

The Cigar 

A sturdy shape, a shade longer yet slightly thinner than a robusto, that draws well. It is considered by many to be the brand’s outstanding vitola.

VITOLA: Hermoso No.4
RING GAUGE: 48
LENGTH: 5inches - 127 mm
FLAVOUR: Medium to Full

Partagas Petit Coronas Especiales

The Cigar

A slightly extra length Petit Corona that offers good value for money and a taste that is true to the Partagas brand.

Cohiba Lanceros

The Cigar

The longest of the Cohiba's original three sizes created in 1966 and one the cigar of choice for Cuba's late president, Fidel Castro who also used to given them as personal gifts. 

The unique extra fermentation that is conducted on the Seco and Legero of all Cohibas lasts for eighteen months and is conducted at the factory in cedar barrels. This extra age creates a unique taste. The famous Cohiba flavour is most often described as ‘Grassy’, although others have noticed tones of vanilla, cocoa and coffee. It is often remarked upon how this extra fermentation makes the taste ‘smoother’ and more refined while retaining a depth and character that is entirely distinct. A prime example of a modern Habanos

In 2011 this cigar was given a Cigar Aficionado rating of 94 and they noted that it had “a complex progression of flavours, starting with cinnamon and nutmeg intonations that lead to a robust and profound coffee flavour that lasts on the finish.”

Line: La Linea Classica
Flavour: Medium to Full
Vitola: Laguito No.1
Ring Gauge: 38
Length: 7 1/2 Inches / 192mm 

San Cristobal La Fuerza

The Cigar 

The first of the extra length robustos made in Cuba. A stout size that matches the sturdiness of Old Havana’s Fuerza fortress after which it is named. Light to medium taste with bags of elegance.

VITOLA: Gordito
RING GAUGE: 50
LENGTH: 5 1/2 inches - 140 mm
FLAVOUR: Light to Medium

San Cristobal El Principe

The Cigar 

A wonderfully versatile small cigar with a delicious elegance to its taste. Perfect to accompany a pre-dinner glass of champagne or to keep with you for those brief occasions when there’s only just time for a good cigar. Light to medium, aromatic

VITOLA: Minuto
RING GAUGE: 42
LENGTH: 4 3/8 inches - 110 mm
FLAVOUR: Light to Medium

Romeo y Julieta Petit Coronas

The Cigar

A mellow, well-balanced, pressed cigar, which, along with its round counterpart the No.2 tube, is by far the most popular Romeo size.

VITOLA: Mareva
RING GAUGE: 42
LENGTH: 5 1/8 inches - 129 mm
FLAVOUR: Medium