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Now a favourite of mine, Cuaba. A post Rev Marca, formed in '96, with the purpose of producing Dble Figarado's (tapered at both ends), an old format that hadn't been produced since the Rev. It was considered a premium brand on launch, on level with Cohiba & Trinidad, I assume because of the complexity of rolling that, that required level 7 rollers & offering something retro.
However, after the lavish launch, which I recall but sadly did not attend, more & more complaints were received due to plugged cigars, particularly the Divinos. So after a few yrs they went from completely rolled to using moulds, this meant the cigars weren't over compressed but problems can still occur. My advice is store at 65-63% & dry box for a day or so, if you experience tight draws.
Also notable as this marca slid down in popularity, that it's now in the other category that only produced in limited numbers & has only had one ER & one LCDH. The standard band hasn't changed since launch.
Diademas 55 x 9 1/8" Giant Perfecto Presented wrapped in plain silver foil, in a coffin, x5 in a box. Released 2003, discontinued in 2013.
This was the biggest production vitola for Habanos & takes longer to smoke than a Giant Corona e.g. the Monte A. Allow 3hrs, as not to rush. No real developmen or complexity, just gets a little stronger as it burns down but if you enjoy the marca flavour profile, it's not too taxing to spend this amount of time. My last one, I took a pic every 15mins & noted I finally laid it down after 3hrs 15mins & I am a fairly fast smoker!
Still available at auction & maybe at out of the way tobacconists. I would encourage everyone to try one once, for most that will be enough!
Archive Pic:The whole range, in 2009. Note Belgian Tax Bands.
CigarCollec tion.2009.01.20.114.jpg
Preparing to smoke my first in 2010, when we could still smoke inside a cafe (banned in 2007 in UK). Later they built a glass house inside the cafe & we could smoke there. Covid got this banned & no surprise the local officials, never allowed it to be re-opened for smoking but now used as a car & games room,
Cuaba.Diad.2010.01.13_129.jpg
Gives an idea of scale onto of a de Konnick glass, Antwerp's local beer.
Cuaba.Diad.2010.01.13_131.jpg
It's a whopper, luckily the cafe has very high ceilings & fans, amazingly no one complained.
Cuaba.Diad.2010.01.13_133.jpg
Just starting another one, this time in 2016, now in the glass house.
Cuaba.Diad.2016.11.23.IMG_3292.jpg
Watch timing the start.
Cuaba.Diad.2016.11.23.IMG_3297.jpg
14:30 to 17:45
Cuaba.Diad.2016.11.23.IMG_3337.jpg
Distinguidos 52 x 6 3/8" Romeo Dress box x 10 cigars. Released 2003 , still current.
Very similar to the next size up, the Salomon, just takes less time to smoke.
Cuaba.Disting.2012.07.29.IMG_1882.jpg
Cuaba.Disting.2012.11.21.SAM_0041.jpg
In ht eglass house, the extractor clearly seen. Unfortunately if never cleared the smoke but fine if there was just two of you.
Cuaba.Disting.2012.11.21.SAM_0044.jpg
Divinos: 43 x 4" Petit Bouquet. Presented in dress boxes of 25, were unlike most cigars, will move about abit as they are no wedged in, due to their shape. Was availavle in 5 stick packs but this was discontinued in 2010. Shame as a 5 pack would statisfy most, as these are a niche vitola.
MRN liked these as a morning smoke & called them an 'eye opener'. I came to agree, although they are stronger than my usual morning smokes, they really do have their place, with a fine coffee.
Patience is required as the pointy end has to get going before the cigar opens up. Good half hour smoke & strong enough to have with rum. Final point of note: they are expensive for the size.
Showing a single Divinos in cardboard, came x5 in a pack.
Cuaba.Divi.2011.02.02. 081.jpg
A morning smoke with a coffee & Cuban rum, on the roof top of the Hotel Abos Mundos.
Cuaba.Divi.2018.11.28.46479703_2170960813170610_8448109785429049344_n.jpg
Exclusivos Exquisitos: 46 x 5 3/4" Dress box x25 & 5 pack, (5 pack discontinued 2010), 1996 release & remains current.
An in between size from Divinos & Tradicionales.
Cuaba.Exclu.2011.05.07_008.jpg
Smoking a pair of Exclusivos with my best man, in a London hotel near Tower Hll, in their glass house. Sadly, even though they invested in one, with the most efficient extraction I ever experienced, it was closed down in 2007, They weren't compensated, even though at one time the Government had said build something & you'll be able to allow smoking in there when we ban it in public indoor spaces..
Cuaba.Exclu.2006.07.19..06_0034.jpg
Generosos Generoso 42 x 5 1/4" Dress box of 25, 5 pack discontinued in 2010
Cuaba.Gen.2016.02.15.883612_1565863970402081_8698574644231336327_o.jpg
Piramides LE2008 52 x 6 1/8" Box of 10. A contraversal cigar, as it was& remains the only non-figarado vitola in the marca. I too was against the ideal before I tried one. However they were mighty fine smokes so I guess someone took a bold decision & it paid off. BTW only e18 each on release!
Cuaba.Piramides.2012.07.28.IMG_1832.jpg
Cuaba.Piramides.2016.04.29.IMG_1412.jpg
Salomon Salomon 57 x 7 1/4" Box of 10, released 2006, still current.
A mighty stick, worthy of your time, fits perfectly in your hand.
Cuaba.Sal.2017.08.19_152854.jpg
Traditionales Favoritos 42 x 4 3/4" Dress box of 25, 5 packs, discontinued in 2010.
Cuaba.Trad.23011.11.09.SAM_3270.jpg
However, after the lavish launch, which I recall but sadly did not attend, more & more complaints were received due to plugged cigars, particularly the Divinos. So after a few yrs they went from completely rolled to using moulds, this meant the cigars weren't over compressed but problems can still occur. My advice is store at 65-63% & dry box for a day or so, if you experience tight draws.
Also notable as this marca slid down in popularity, that it's now in the other category that only produced in limited numbers & has only had one ER & one LCDH. The standard band hasn't changed since launch.
Diademas 55 x 9 1/8" Giant Perfecto Presented wrapped in plain silver foil, in a coffin, x5 in a box. Released 2003, discontinued in 2013.
This was the biggest production vitola for Habanos & takes longer to smoke than a Giant Corona e.g. the Monte A. Allow 3hrs, as not to rush. No real developmen or complexity, just gets a little stronger as it burns down but if you enjoy the marca flavour profile, it's not too taxing to spend this amount of time. My last one, I took a pic every 15mins & noted I finally laid it down after 3hrs 15mins & I am a fairly fast smoker!
Still available at auction & maybe at out of the way tobacconists. I would encourage everyone to try one once, for most that will be enough!
Archive Pic:The whole range, in 2009. Note Belgian Tax Bands.
CigarCollec tion.2009.01.20.114.jpg
Preparing to smoke my first in 2010, when we could still smoke inside a cafe (banned in 2007 in UK). Later they built a glass house inside the cafe & we could smoke there. Covid got this banned & no surprise the local officials, never allowed it to be re-opened for smoking but now used as a car & games room,
Cuaba.Diad.2010.01.13_129.jpg
Gives an idea of scale onto of a de Konnick glass, Antwerp's local beer.
Cuaba.Diad.2010.01.13_131.jpg
It's a whopper, luckily the cafe has very high ceilings & fans, amazingly no one complained.
Cuaba.Diad.2010.01.13_133.jpg
Just starting another one, this time in 2016, now in the glass house.
Cuaba.Diad.2016.11.23.IMG_3292.jpg
Watch timing the start.
Cuaba.Diad.2016.11.23.IMG_3297.jpg
14:30 to 17:45
Cuaba.Diad.2016.11.23.IMG_3337.jpg
Distinguidos 52 x 6 3/8" Romeo Dress box x 10 cigars. Released 2003 , still current.
Very similar to the next size up, the Salomon, just takes less time to smoke.
Cuaba.Disting.2012.07.29.IMG_1882.jpg
Cuaba.Disting.2012.11.21.SAM_0041.jpg
In ht eglass house, the extractor clearly seen. Unfortunately if never cleared the smoke but fine if there was just two of you.
Cuaba.Disting.2012.11.21.SAM_0044.jpg
Divinos: 43 x 4" Petit Bouquet. Presented in dress boxes of 25, were unlike most cigars, will move about abit as they are no wedged in, due to their shape. Was availavle in 5 stick packs but this was discontinued in 2010. Shame as a 5 pack would statisfy most, as these are a niche vitola.
MRN liked these as a morning smoke & called them an 'eye opener'. I came to agree, although they are stronger than my usual morning smokes, they really do have their place, with a fine coffee.
Patience is required as the pointy end has to get going before the cigar opens up. Good half hour smoke & strong enough to have with rum. Final point of note: they are expensive for the size.
Showing a single Divinos in cardboard, came x5 in a pack.
Cuaba.Divi.2011.02.02. 081.jpg
A morning smoke with a coffee & Cuban rum, on the roof top of the Hotel Abos Mundos.
Cuaba.Divi.2018.11.28.46479703_2170960813170610_8448109785429049344_n.jpg
Exclusivos Exquisitos: 46 x 5 3/4" Dress box x25 & 5 pack, (5 pack discontinued 2010), 1996 release & remains current.
An in between size from Divinos & Tradicionales.
Cuaba.Exclu.2011.05.07_008.jpg
Smoking a pair of Exclusivos with my best man, in a London hotel near Tower Hll, in their glass house. Sadly, even though they invested in one, with the most efficient extraction I ever experienced, it was closed down in 2007, They weren't compensated, even though at one time the Government had said build something & you'll be able to allow smoking in there when we ban it in public indoor spaces..
Cuaba.Exclu.2006.07.19..06_0034.jpg
Generosos Generoso 42 x 5 1/4" Dress box of 25, 5 pack discontinued in 2010
Cuaba.Gen.2016.02.15.883612_1565863970402081_8698574644231336327_o.jpg
Piramides LE2008 52 x 6 1/8" Box of 10. A contraversal cigar, as it was& remains the only non-figarado vitola in the marca. I too was against the ideal before I tried one. However they were mighty fine smokes so I guess someone took a bold decision & it paid off. BTW only e18 each on release!
Cuaba.Piramides.2012.07.28.IMG_1832.jpg
Cuaba.Piramides.2016.04.29.IMG_1412.jpg
Salomon Salomon 57 x 7 1/4" Box of 10, released 2006, still current.
A mighty stick, worthy of your time, fits perfectly in your hand.
Cuaba.Sal.2017.08.19_152854.jpg
Traditionales Favoritos 42 x 4 3/4" Dress box of 25, 5 packs, discontinued in 2010.
Cuaba.Trad.23011.11.09.SAM_3270.jpg
