El Rey del Mundo La Reina Cigar (2018 UK Regional Edition)
There is a particular kind of reverence reserved for cigars that carry the Regional Edition designation—a quiet understanding among collectors that something singular has arrived, briefly available, then gone. The La Reina, released in 2018 as the United Kingdom's exclusive Regional Edition from El Rey del Mundo, embodies this fleeting nobility. Its very name translates to "The Queen," a fitting monarch for a brand whose identity has always orbited themes of sovereignty and grandeur.
| Specification | Details |
|---|
| Vitola | Laguito No. 1 |
| Ring Gauge | 38 |
| Length | 192mm (7.5") |
| Factory | Havana, Cuba |
| Strength | Medium |
| Wrapper | Cuban |
| Box Count | Box of 24 |
The story of La Reina begins with a gesture of diplomatic elegance. Habanos S.A. designates Regional Editions for specific markets, granting local distributors the privilege of commissioning unique vitolas from storied marques. The United Kingdom, with its centuries-old cigar culture and discerning palate, received this slender masterpiece—a Laguito No. 1 format rarely seen outside the most prestigious Cuban lines. Only 3,500 numbered boxes were produced, each containing 24 cigars dressed in the standard El Rey del Mundo band alongside the distinctive Regional Edition secondary band marked "Gran Bretaña." Released to market in mid-2019, these cigars quickly found their way into humidors across Britain and beyond, their scarcity cementing their status as modern collectibles. That Cigar Journal ranked La Reina #7 in their Top 25 Cigars of 2020 speaks to something beyond rarity alone—this is a cigar that earned its laurels through merit, not merely provenance.
First Light
The opening draws the smoker into a corridor of dried cedar and toasted almond, the kind of aromatic entry that signals restraint rather than bombast. Smoke volume is impressive for such a slender ring gauge, a testament to the roller's craft. A whisper of black pepper gathers at the edges of the palate, never overwhelming, merely suggesting complexity to come. The draw offers just enough resistance to slow the experience down, inviting contemplation.
The Journey
Through the second third, the La Reina reveals its lineage. Earthy undertones emerge, reminiscent of sun-warmed clay and cured tobacco barns—the classic Cuban fingerprint, unmistakable and unadorned. A creaminess develops, softening the cedar and allowing subtle notes of raw honey to surface. The spice evolves from black pepper toward something gentler, perhaps a touch of cinnamon bark or clove. The burn line remains impeccable, a silver ribbon of ash forming with each measured puff. This is not a cigar that demands attention through power; it seduces through nuance, through the slow unfurling of flavor that rewards patience.
The Finale
The final act brings consolidation and quiet crescendo. The earth notes deepen, taking on characteristics of leather and aged wood, while the cedar sweetness retreats to the background. A mineral quality emerges—slate, perhaps, or the faint salinity of soil near the sea. The pepper returns for a curtain call, more insistent now, lingering on the finish alongside echoes of espresso bean and dark cocoa. The strength never exceeds medium, yet the sophistication of the blend leaves an impression far weightier than its nicotine content might suggest.
Who It's For
The La Reina calls to the contemplative smoker, the one who understands that elegance need not shout. This is a cigar for the collector who has moved past the pursuit of intensity and into the appreciation of refinement—an afternoon companion for a leather armchair and un Rushed hours. It suits the occasion of a milestone reached quietly, a deal sealed with handshake rather than fanfare, or simply the pleasure of witnessing a British afternoon give way to evening. Those who appreciate the Lanceros format and its demands on both roller and smoker will find much to admire here.
Pairing Suggestion
A well-aged Speyside single malt, perhaps something in the 18-year range, complements the La Reina's honeyed mid-palate while respecting its understated character. Alternatively, a cognac of similar maturity will mirror the cigar's leathery finale with graceful resonance.
