There are two ways that Havana cigars can get better over time.
One is to store the tobacco leaves long enough to age for a period of time before rolling the cigars. There is also a cigar that has been rolled and stored in a humidor to continue aging.
In the previous introductory article, we have explained the complexity and persistence of tobacco leaf drying, fermentation, and storage processes. At some stage of aging, the right tobacco leaves are removed and rolled into Havana cigars. Just like brandy, whiskey or rum, the quality will improve if stored in oak barrels for several years. Cuban tobacco leaves also benefit from aging over time. The tannins in the tobacco leaves are gradually released during aging, and the sugar content gradually increases, providing the tobacco leaves with a milder, more aromatic, and rounder flavor.
Since 1999, Habanos S.A. has preserved a portion of the harvested tobacco leaves of various types every year and sent them to special warehouses in Havana for further aging. Some of the best quality tobacco leaves can be selected to roll some special editions, such as anniversary editions and aged editions. There are also some for the regular version. In most cases, some of the various tobacco leaves are retained and sent for aging, and sometimes only some wrapper leaves are stored.
Reserva is used on Havana cigars and refers to those cigars in which tobacco leaves have been stored for three years before rolling. The first cigars using Reserva at that time were Cohiba Select Reserve rolled in 2003, using tobacco leaves harvested in 1999. Later, tobacco leaves harvested in 2000 were used to produce Monte No. 4 storage and Partgas D4 storage, both of which were produced in 2002. Usually the Reserva version of cigars comes in a box of 20, with a limited production of 5,000 boxes. The box is painted black and has a unique number. Each cigar has a sub-label, which is black and silver, making it easy to identify.
Gran Reserva refers to cigars made from tobacco leaves that have been aged for at least five years. Usually only the tobacco leaves from Vuelta Abajo, the best tobacco growing area in Cuba, are aged for such a long time to ensure that they provide a unique aroma after being rolled into cigars. The earliest Gran Reserva was the Cohiba Century 6 produced in 2009, and the tobacco leaves used were harvested in 2003. At that time, a limited production of 5,000 boxes was produced. Each black-painted box had an independent number. There were 15 cigars in each box, and the cigars had a gold and black sub-label. The subsequent Gran Reserva was Monte No. 2 produced in 2011, rolled from tobacco leaves harvested in 2005.
Edición Limitada, limited edition. A limited edition version of the Cuban cigar was released in 2000, followed by 3 to 5 releases every year except for 2002. Limited-edition Havana cigars have a darker wrapper leaf than regular Havana cigars, which generally come from the upper part of the tobacco plant. These tobacco leaves are thicker and require longer fermentation times. Cigars are aged for at least two years before being rolled. At first, only the wrapper leaves were specially aged. After 2007, the filler and binder leaves were also fermented for at least two years. The box of the limited edition cigars has a black and gold seal that reads Edición Limitada. The year of production is also printed. Each cigar has a sub-label, printed with the year.
Cohiba Maduro 5 series, this series of cigars belongs to the regular product line of the Cohiba brand. Only dark wrapper tobacco leaves require special storage and aging. After 2007, when the tobacco leaves of the three cigars in this product line are grown, gauze is laid on the top of the plant for shading. In this way, the cultivated tobacco leaves will appear particularly dark in color after aging. As the series' name suggests, the wrapper leaves need to be fermented for at least five years before they can be used. There has always been a big debate about the extent to which wrapper tobacco leaves affect the taste of cigars. However, there is no doubting the unmistakable sweetness and unique aroma that this dark, Cuban-grown Maduro wrapper brings to the cigar.
Cuban cigar packaging
When Havana cigars are rolled, they are round. Cuba uses various methods to package the boxes of 25 cigars usually sold, sometimes in a two-tier display (12+13), sometimes in a three-tier display (8-9-8). In order to make better use of the volume of the packaging box, the cigars are usually put into the humidor immediately after the cigars are rolled. At this time, the cigars contain more water and are very flexible. Sometimes they will appear due to extrusion. Rectangular shape.
For most Havana cigars, they are pressed into the box, which may rarely be the case with other brands of cigars. In general, customers prefer round cigars.
1. Packing boxes with decorative patterns (10, 20 or 25 pieces)
This is the most common type of humidor for Havana cigars. The cigars in this package always wear a cigarette label. Because they are placed side by side in a narrow box, they usually have a slightly rectangular (backlogged by the box) shape. Unless they are wrapped in cedar or placed in aluminum tubes.
2. Semi-solid wood box (pack of 10, 12, 24 or 25 pieces)
This type of box is made of natural wood and has the name of the Havana brand printed on the box, as well as a guarantee sticker guaranteeing authenticity. The cigars in this packaging maintain their round shape.
3. Cabinet-style humidor with sliding lid (10, 25 or 50 pieces)
This is a form of packaging designed specifically for British customers in the early 20th century, and is available in natural and lacquered versions. In the past, some cigars in this kind of packaging did not wear cigarette labels. In this packaging, the cigar always maintains its round shape.
4. Natural solid wood cigar box (pack of 10 or 25 pieces)
This cigar box is made of solid wood, sometimes with a gold trademark or emblem, and is a packaging box for high-quality Havana cigars. In this package, the cigars are round.
5. Painted arc box (8-9-8)
This kind of packaging box has curved corners and a painted exterior. It can accommodate three layers of Havana cigars, with 8, 9, and 8 cigars placed respectively. Today, this three-layer structure is also available for 10 cigars: 3-4-3. The cigars in this kind of packaging box can keep their round shape and not be squeezed.
6. Bundle (10 or 25 pieces)
A bundle of bundled cigars, sometimes wrapped in silver foil or cellophane to prevent moisture loss and damage to the wrapper.
7. Small package (1, 3 or 5 pieces)
There are also pocket-sized cigar boxes containing 1, 3, or 5 cigars. They are usually made of aluminum, wood, or cardboard. They are a good choice whether you want to take them out for travel or give them as gifts.
8. Professional packaging box
Among Havana cigars, there are also some very special-looking packages. Although they are also Havana cigars, the packaging boxes are not in the regular list. For example, Cohiba’s BHK series of packaging boxes.
