Why was the H. Upmann Cristales discontinued?

The H. Upmann Cristales, factory name "Cosacos," was discontinued as part of Habanos S.A.'s periodic restructuring of their product lines. While it was originally a regular production vitola, it was phased out to streamline the brand's portfolio, a common occurrence in the Cuban cigar industry. Its removal from the catalog transformed it from a standard offering into a highly sought-after collector's item. Because it is no longer produced, finding authentic boxes has become increasingly difficult, driving up its status among enthusiasts who seek out these specific discontinued Cuban profiles.

What are the size dimensions of the H. Upmann Cristales?

The H. Upmann Cristales measures 143mm (5.6 inches) in length with a ring gauge of 46. This Corona Extra format offers a substantial smoking time, typically ranging between 45 to 60 minutes. The dimensions are identical to the factory name "Cosacos," a vitola that has appeared in various other Cuban brands over the years. Its gauge allows for a slightly fuller draw compared to standard coronas, providing a balanced ratio between the wrapper and filler tobaccos that contributes to its distinct flavor delivery and combustion properties.

What does the H. Upmann Cristales taste like?

This cigar delivers the classic H. Upmann flavor profile, characterized by distinct grassy and woody notes accompanied by a signature mild to medium-bodied sweetness. Smokers can expect prominent flavors of cedar, dry hay, and a touch of baking spices, with a smooth, creamy finish on the palate. As a Cuban cigar, the blend relies on the natural sweetness of the wrapper leaf. Given its age and rarity on the secondary market, well-preserved samples often exhibit significant complexity and nuanced tertiary flavors like leather and dried fruit, which develop over time.

Why was the H. Upmann Cristales discontinued?

The H. Upmann Cristales, factory name "Cosacos," was discontinued as part of Habanos S.A.'s periodic restructuring of their product lines. While it was originally a regular production vitola, it was phased out to streamline the brand's portfolio, a common occurrence in the Cuban cigar industry. Its removal from the catalog transformed it from a standard offering into a highly sought-after collector's item. Because it is no longer produced, finding authentic boxes has become increasingly difficult, driving up its status among enthusiasts who seek out these specific discontinued Cuban profiles.

What are the size dimensions of the H. Upmann Cristales?

The H. Upmann Cristales measures 143mm (5.6 inches) in length with a ring gauge of 46. This Corona Extra format offers a substantial smoking time, typically ranging between 45 to 60 minutes. The dimensions are identical to the factory name "Cosacos," a vitola that has appeared in various other Cuban brands over the years. Its gauge allows for a slightly fuller draw compared to standard coronas, providing a balanced ratio between the wrapper and filler tobaccos that contributes to its distinct flavor delivery and combustion properties.

What does the H. Upmann Cristales taste like?

This cigar delivers the classic H. Upmann flavor profile, characterized by distinct grassy and woody notes accompanied by a signature mild to medium-bodied sweetness. Smokers can expect prominent flavors of cedar, dry hay, and a touch of baking spices, with a smooth, creamy finish on the palate. As a Cuban cigar, the blend relies on the natural sweetness of the wrapper leaf. Given its age and rarity on the secondary market, well-preserved samples often exhibit significant complexity and nuanced tertiary flavors like leather and dried fruit, which develop over time.

H. Upmann Cristales

The H. Upmann Cristales stands as one of the most elusive discontinued cigars in Cuban tobacco history. This regular production vitola, known by its factory name "Cosacos," has achieved legendary status among collectors due to its extreme rarity following discontinuation in the early 1990s.

Specifications

Cigar Name	Cristales
Factory Name	Cosacos
Ring Gauge	42
Length	135 mm (5⅜″)
Official Weight	8.84 g
Construction	Handmade
Bands	Standard band A, B

History and Status

The Cristales was originally released prior to 1960, making it a historic offering within the H. Upmann portfolio. The cigar enjoyed decades of production before being discontinued in the early 1990s. Today, surviving examples are considered extraordinarily rare, with pristine specimens commanding significant interest from serious collectors and enthusiasts of vintage Cuban tobacco.

Packaging

The Cristales was distinguished by its elegant presentation in glass jars, available in two formats:

Glass jar containing 25 cigars
Glass jar containing 50 cigars

This distinctive packaging contributed to the cigar's premium positioning and helped preserve the cigars' condition over time, though finding intact original jars today represents a considerable challenge for collectors.

Legacy

As part of the esteemed H. Upmann brand, the Cristales represented the classic Cuban cigar tradition. Its discontinuation marked the end of an era for this particular vitola, and the remaining stock has become highly sought after by those fortunate enough to encounter it in the secondary market.

H. Upmann Cristales