Hoyo de Monterrey Short Ones
A Discontinued Classic from Cuba's Golden Era
The Hoyo de Monterrey Short Ones represents a fascinating chapter in Cuban cigar history—a regular production vitola that enjoyed a relatively brief commercial life before being discontinued. Released prior to 1960, this compact cigar captured the essence of the Hoyo de Monterrey brand during a transformative period for Cuban tobacco.
Historical Background
The Short Ones entered the market sometime before 1960, placing it firmly within what many enthusiasts consider Cuba's golden age of cigar production. This was an era when the island's tobacco industry was undergoing significant changes, yet maintained the traditional craftsmanship that had made Cuban cigars legendary worldwide.
Unfortunately, the Short Ones had a limited run, being discontinued during the 1970s. While the exact reasons for its discontinuation remain unclear, this was a period when many Cuban cigar formats were being consolidated or eliminated as the industry reorganized under the new revolutionary government's tobacco monopoly.
Vitola Specifications
| Specification | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Factory Name | Minutos |
| Ring Gauge | 42 |
| Length | 110 mm (4⅜ inches) |
| Official Weight | 7.46 grams |
| Construction | Handmade |
Size and Format
True to its name, the Short Ones offered smokers a more compact smoking experience. With a length of 110 millimeters (approximately 4⅜ inches) and a ring gauge of 42, this cigar fell into the category of what many would consider a "short corona" or petit corona format. The factory designation "Minutos" further confirms its intended purpose as a shorter, quicker smoke.
The 42 ring gauge provided enough girth to deliver adequate smoke volume and flavor development, while the abbreviated length made it an excellent choice for smokers seeking quality without an extended time commitment.
Packaging and Presentation
The Short Ones was presented in dress boxes containing 25 cigars. Each cigar was individually housed in its own cardboard pack, a packaging method that provided protection and helped maintain optimal humidity levels. This style of packaging was not uncommon for premium Cuban cigars of the era, reflecting the attention to detail that characterized Hoyo de Monterrey's approach to presentation.
Construction and Craftsmanship
As a handmade cigar, the Short Ones represented the pinnacle of Cuban cigar artisanship. Each specimen was carefully rolled by skilled torcedores, ensuring proper draw, even burn, and the consistent construction that discerning smokers expected from the Hoyo de Monterrey marque.
Band Information
Documentation regarding the specific band design used on the Short Ones remains unclear. Band designs during this pre-1960 through 1970s period sometimes varied, and records for discontinued vitolas can be incomplete.
Collectibility and Legacy
Given its discontinuation in the 1970s and pre-1960 release date, the Hoyo de Monterrey Short Ones has become a sought-after item among serious collectors and cigar historians. Finding well-preserved examples today would be exceptionally rare, making any surviving specimens valuable artifacts of Cuban cigar heritage.
The Short Ones remains an important part of the broader Hoyo de Monterrey story, representing the brand's historical commitment to offering diverse formats to suit various smoking preferences and occasions.