What is the history of the Saint Luis Rey Havana Club cigar?

The Saint Luis Rey Havana Club is a discontinued regular production vitola that holds significant historical value within the brand's portfolio. Emerging during what is considered the golden age of Cuban cigar production, this specific release was one of the earlier vitolas introduced under the Saint Luis Rey label. Unlike the brand's more globally recognized offerings, such as the Series A or the Robustos, the Havana Club was eventually phased out by Habanos S.A. Its discontinuation has transformed it into a sought-after item for collectors focusing on vintage Cuban cigars from that productive era.

What are the flavor notes and strength of the Saint Luis Rey Havana Club?

As a standard Cuban puro, the Havana Club typically delivers the classic Saint Luis Rey flavor profile, renowned for its medium-to-full body and complexity. Smokers can expect a distinct grassiness and earthiness on the palate, accompanied by notes of cedar, leather, and a signature nutty finish. While the strength is generally robust, it remains balanced enough to avoid overpowering the smoker. This cigar is often compared to other regional releases for its unique aging potential, offering a smooth draw and consistent burn that highlights the rich tobacco quality associated with the brand.

What are the ring gauge and length of the Saint Luis Rey Havana Club?

The Saint Luis Rey Havana Club features a distinct corona gorda format, measuring 143 mm (5.6 inches) in length with a 46 ring gauge. This sizing places it in a similar category to the popular Excalibur No. 1, offering a longer smoking duration than standard robustos. The dimensions allow for a cool smoke, providing a gradual development of flavors as the burn progresses. Because it is a discontinued vitola, finding boxes with the original dimensions and cap construction is becoming increasingly rare in the current secondary market.

Saint Luis Rey Havana Club

The Havana Club represents a fascinating chapter in the Saint Luis Rey portfolio, a cigar that emerged during the golden age of Cuban cigar production. This discontinued regular production vitola holds historical significance as one of the earlier releases from this respected Havana brand.

Historical Background

The Havana Club entered the market prior to 1960, placing it firmly within the pre-revolution era of Cuban cigar manufacturing. Production continued through the following decades before the cigar was ultimately discontinued during the 1970s. This relatively short production window has made surviving examples increasingly scarce and sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of vintage Cuban tobacco.

Specifications

Cigar Name	Havana Club
Factory Name	Unknown
Ring Gauge	42
Length	122 mm (4¾″)
Official Weight	7.73 g
Construction	Handmade

Presentation and Packaging

The Havana Club was dressed with the standard band A design associated with the Saint Luis Rey brand. Cigars were packaged in traditional dress boxes containing 25 cigars, reflecting the conventional presentation style favored by Cuban manufacturers of the era.

Collectibility

As a pre-1960 release that ceased production in the 1970s, the Saint Luis Rey Havana Club has become a notable collector's item. The combination of its historical provenance and limited availability has cemented its status among aficionados who appreciate the rich heritage of Cuban cigar production.

Saint Luis Rey Havana Club