By Makram Salha
Since 2000, Habanos, Cuba’s cigars marketing arm, has been releasing limited edition cigars annually, using their most prestigious brands. Two main differences set these limited editions apart from the regular line up. The first is that they release sizes (length in mm & girth in ring gauge in 1/64th of an inch) that are not normally part of the regular line up. The second reason is that the wrapper, binder & filler are all aged for a minimum of two years giving these limited editions their magnificent dark ‘Maduro’ colour, and full rich flavours:
‘Cuaba Piramides (156x52)’ Cuaba is both a reference to the history of Cuban cigars and a tribute to the Indians who were the first people to cultivate tobacco. This limited edition is the same size as the famous Montecristo No.2 which is also known as a ‘torpedo’ due to its shape.
‘Partagas Serie D No.5 (110x50)’ This is the little brother of the renowned Partagas Series D No.4 (robusto). This limited edition is in between a petit robusto and the larger robusto size.
‘Montecristo Sublimes (164x54)’ I have had the pleasure to try this pre-release and it is every bit as good as the rumours suggested. It is the same size as the now sold out Cohiba Sublimes (2004 limited edition) and just as good in its own Montecristo house style.
2008 Ancient Humidor Series
The 2008 ancient humidor series will comprise of a replica of an ancient Romeo y Julieta humidor from the early 20th century. This masterpiece is totally handmade from mahogany and cedar by the renowned Cuban artisan Ernesto Aguilera. Only 250 numbered humidors have been made, each containing 50 ‘Romeos’ (162x52) which are double figurados - tapered at both ends.
2008 ‘Book’ Series
2008 will represent Volume VIII of the Habanos ‘Book’ Series. Volume VIII will be dedicated to the Cohiba brand. The humidor, which is made to look like a book, will contain 20 Cohiba Sublimes Extra (184x54). Leaves used in the making of Cohiba cigars come from the San Luis and San Juan Y Martinez zones of the Vuelta Abajo, renowned for the highest quality of leaves, and undergoes a third fermentation adding extra smoothness to the smoke. Only 1000 numbered cases are being produced. The ‘Book’ series up until now have always been produced in 500 numbered cases but there has been so much demand for Series VIII’s Cohiba Sublimes Extra that Habanos decided to increase numbers to 1000 in order to meet this extra demand.
2008 Middle East Regional Editions
Every year, Habanos selects a few markets to release regional editions which consist of exclusive sizes for their less prestigious brands. For 2008, the following Middle East regional editions will be released:
‘Ramon Allones Phoenicios (164x54)’ Ramon Allones’ house style is characterised by strong direct flavours with body and essence. This Sublimes sized cigar will be much sought after.
‘Punch Robustos (124x50)’ This regional edition will be for the UAE market only.
Also, look out for the Hong Kong regional edition for 2008 if you are travelling in the Far East with the hotly anticipated Bolivar Armonia (184x57), a truly unique size.
‘Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial (141x50) & H.Upmann Magnum 50 (161x50)’ These cigars, best remembered from the 2004 and 2005 Limited Edition series are being reintroduced by popular demand as part of ‘Hoyo de Monterrey’s & H.Upmann’s regular line up.
All the above cigars will be available in the fourth quarter of 2008, except the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial & H.Upmann Magnum 50 which became available third quarter 2008.
