When was the José L. Piedra Nacionales discontinued?

The José L. Piedra Nacionales was officially discontinued in 2013. It had been a staple in the brand's regular production lineup since its introduction in 1996, offering cigar enthusiasts an affordable Cuban option for nearly two decades. While current stocks may still be found in the aftermarket, this specific vitola is no longer part of the standard Habanos S.A. portfolio, having been removed from production over a decade ago.

What is the size and vitola of the José L. Piedra Nacionales?

The José L. Piedra Nacionales was produced in the Mareva vitola, a classic Cuban format often referred to as a Petit Corona. It measured 129 mm (5 1/8 inches) in length with a 42 ring gauge (16.67 mm diameter). This dimension made it slightly longer than the brand's popular Cremas vitola, providing a smoking duration of approximately 30 to 45 minutes.

What did the José L. Piedra Nacionales taste like?

Smokers characterized the Nacionales by its typical José L. Piedra flavor profile, featuring earthy and woody notes with a distinct herbal quality. As a machine-made, short-filler cigar from the Remedios region, it offered a medium-bodied smoke that often exhibited hints of spice and leather. While it lacked the complexity of premium handmade cigars, it was regarded as a robust and consistent daily smoke with a distinct Cuban character.

When was the José L. Piedra Nacionales discontinued?

The José L. Piedra Nacionales was officially discontinued in 2013. It had been a staple in the brand's regular production lineup since its introduction in 1996, offering cigar enthusiasts an affordable Cuban option for nearly two decades. While current stocks may still be found in the aftermarket, this specific vitola is no longer part of the standard Habanos S.A. portfolio, having been removed from production over a decade ago.

What is the size and vitola of the José L. Piedra Nacionales?

The José L. Piedra Nacionales was produced in the Mareva vitola, a classic Cuban format often referred to as a Petit Corona. It measured 129 mm (5 1/8 inches) in length with a 42 ring gauge (16.67 mm diameter). This dimension made it slightly longer than the brand's popular Cremas vitola, providing a smoking duration of approximately 30 to 45 minutes.

What did the José L. Piedra Nacionales taste like?

Smokers characterized the Nacionales by its typical José L. Piedra flavor profile, featuring earthy and woody notes with a distinct herbal quality. As a machine-made, short-filler cigar from the Remedios region, it offered a medium-bodied smoke that often exhibited hints of spice and leather. While it lacked the complexity of premium handmade cigars, it was regarded as a robust and consistent daily smoke with a distinct Cuban character.

Cigar Information

José L. Piedra Nacionales

The José L. Piedra Nacionales was a distinctive Cuban cigar that held a place in the brand's regular production lineup for nearly two decades. Introduced to the market in 1996, this vitola remained in production until its discontinuation in 2013, making it a notable entry in the José L. Piedra catalog for enthusiasts seeking accessible Cuban smoking experiences.

History and Production

When the Nacionales first appeared on Cuban cigar shelves in 1996, it was manufactured using machine-made techniques. This production method continued until approximately 2002, after which the cigar transitioned to handmade construction. Throughout its lifecycle, the Nacionales maintained its character as a short-filler cigar, utilizing chopped tobacco leaves in its core rather than whole-leaf long fillers.

The shift from machine to hand production marked an important evolution for this vitola, reflecting broader changes in Cuban cigar manufacturing practices during the early 2000s.

Specifications

Factory Name	Nacionales JLP
Ring Gauge	42
Length	134 mm (5¼ inches)
Official Weight	8.28 grams
Construction	Handmade, short-filler

Packaging Variations

The Nacionales saw several packaging configurations throughout its production run:

1996 Release: Initially offered in two formats — a cellophane-wrapped bundle containing 25 cigars, and a display box presentation featuring 25 cigars divided into five cardboard packs of five cigars each.
2009 Update: The bundle format was reimagined as a cardboard box containing 25 cellophane-bundled cigars, replacing the earlier simple cellophane bundle presentation.
Discontinued Format: The original cellophane bundle of 25 cigars was phased out in 2009 alongside the introduction of the boxed bundle format.

Bands and Presentation

The Nacionales featured the standard José L. Piedra band configuration, employing bands A, B, and C throughout its production period. This consistent branding helped maintain the cigar's identity within the broader Piedra family portfolio.

Legacy

As a discontinued regular production cigar, the José L. Piedra Nacionales now exists only in the secondary market and private collections. Its seventeen-year production span provided smokers with an approachable Cuban cigar option, particularly appealing to those who appreciated the shorter smoking time and value proposition typical of the José L. Piedra brand.

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