La Flor de Cano Selectos No.3 Cigar Bundle – 2 x Box of 25 (50)
There's a particular kind of pleasure in discovering a cigar that doesn't demand your attention with bombast, but rather earns it through quiet, consistent character. The Selectos No.3 arrives without pretension, yet carries the weight of something worth slowing down for.
Specifications
| Attribute | Details |
|---|
| Vitola | Cervantes |
| Ring Gauge | 42 |
| Length | 165mm (6½") |
| Factory | Cervantes, Cuba |
| Strength | Medium |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Havana) |
| Box Count | Standard |
The Story Behind the Smoke
La Flor de Cano has never been the loudest voice in the Cuban chorus. Founded in 1884, the brand has spent decades cultivating a reputation for approachable, honest cigars that deliver genuine Havana character without demanding a collector's budget. It's the kind of brand you find in the humidor of someone who smokes regularly, not someone who only buys for display.
The Selectos No.3 emerged as part of the UK Edición Regional program, a collaboration that brought this Cervantes vitola to British shores with the kind of limited production that makes enthusiasts take notice. Only 5,000 boxes were produced, each containing 25 cigars dressed in special edition bands that mark their provenance. The Cervantes format—essentially a Lonsdale—has become increasingly rare in modern Cuban production, making this release particularly noteworthy for those who appreciate the elegant proportions of a bygone era. At 42 ring gauge and nearly six and a half inches, it offers the kind of smoking duration that invites contemplation without demanding an entire evening.
The Tasting Experience
First Light
The opening draws you in with an immediate floral sweetness that feels almost like dried petals on a summer windowsill. Citrus brightness follows close behind—not the sharp bite of lemon, but something closer to candied orange peel. The draw is effortless, producing smoke that carries these delicate notes without sacrificing body. There's a creaminess here that suggests good age potential, even in a fresh cigar. The construction proves what Cuban craftsmanship at this level can achieve: an even burn line and ash that holds with surprising tenacity.
The Journey
As the cigar settles into its middle third, the character shifts with the confidence of a story finding its stride. Cedar emerges as the dominant note, backed by a growing earthiness that grounds the earlier floral flights. The spice that was merely a suggestion at the start begins to announce itself properly—black pepper on the retrohale, something warmer and more aromatic on the palate. The body builds gradually, never overwhelming the medium strength classification but certainly pushing against its boundaries. This is where the Selectos No.3 reveals its craftsmanship: complexity that unfolds rather than announces.
The Finale
The final act brings everything together with a satisfying resolution. Leather enters the conversation, rich and well-worn, complementing the cedar that has been the backbone throughout. Cocoa dustiness appears on the finish, adding sweetness without veering into dessert territory. The spiciness intensifies but never becomes aggressive, maintaining a balance that keeps you drawing down to the final inch. This is a cigar that ends as thoughtfully as it begins, leaving a clean finish that invites another lighting.
Who It's For
The Selectos No.3 suits the smoker who appreciates the art of conversation—whether with others or with oneself. It's substantial enough for contemplative solitude but accessible enough to share across a lounge table. The medium strength makes it appropriate for late morning or early afternoon, and the evolving character rewards those who pay attention without punishing those who simply want to relax. This is not a cigar for the thrill-seeker chasing nicotine intensity, but rather for someone who understands that pleasure often lives in subtlety.
Pairing Suggestion
A aged Dominican rum or a well-made espresso brings out the cocoa and cedar notes beautifully, while a cup of Earl Grey tea complements the citrus and floral characteristics that define the opening act.