Few cigars embody the machine-made segment quite like the Cifuentes Petit Bouquets, a vitola that reliably served smokers for decades before eventually being retired. This compact cigar carried the factory name "Infantes" and offered enthusiasts a convenient, shorter smoking experience under the respected Cifuentes brand umbrella.
Specifications
| Cigar Name | Petit Bouquets |
| Factory Name | Infantes |
| Ring Gauge | 37 |
| Length | 98 mm (3⅞″) |
| Estimated Weight | 4.51 g |
| Construction | Machine-made |
| Band | Standard band A |
| Packaging | Dress box of 25 cigars in cellophane |
Production History
The Petit Bouquets earned its place among the pre-1960 releases, making it one of the more established offerings in the Cifuentes portfolio. Its creation predated the dramatic changes that would reshape the Cuban cigar industry following the Cuban Revolution, positioning it as a cigar with genuine historical pedigree.
Production continued for approximately three decades before the vitola was ultimately discontinued in the early 1990s. This extended production run speaks to the cigar's enduring appeal among smokers who valued its particular combination of dimensions and smoking characteristics.
Construction and Presentation
As a machine-made cigar, the Petit Bouquets represented the practical side of Cuban cigar manufacturing. Machine construction allowed for consistent production at scale, making this vitola accessible to a broader range of consumers seeking the Cifuentes experience without the premium associated with hand-rolled formats.
The cigars were presented in dress boxes containing 25 units, each individually wrapped in cellophane for protection. This packaging approach balanced elegance with practicality, ensuring the cigars remained fresh while presenting an attractive appearance on retailer shelves. The standard band A designation indicated the classic band styling associated with the brand.
Dimensions and Smoking Profile
With a ring gauge of 37 and a length of 98 millimeters (approximately 3⅞ inches), the Petit Bouquets fell into the smaller category of cigars. These dimensions made it an ideal choice for smokers seeking a shorter session or those who preferred a more concentrated flavor delivery. The slender gauge would have produced a focused draw, potentially intensifying the flavor characteristics of the tobacco blend.
The estimated weight of 4.51 grams reflected the compact nature of this vitola, consistent with its modest dimensions and machine-made construction approach.
Legacy
Though no longer in production, the Cifuentes Petit Bouquets remains a point of interest for collectors and historians of Cuban tobacco. Its decades-long production run and eventual discontinuation in the early 1990s place it firmly within an important transitional period for Cuban cigars, making surviving examples potentially significant to those studying the evolution of the industry.