When was the Saint Luis Rey Serie B discontinued and why is it so rare to find today?

The Saint Luis Rey Serie B was discontinued during the 1970s, making it one of the earlier casualties among regular production Cuban cigars. Its scarcity today stems from both its age and limited surviving stock. Unlike discontinued cigars from the 1990s or 2000s, virtually no sealed boxes remain in private collections or humidors. The Serie B exists primarily through documented evidence, vintage advertisements, and oral histories from smokers who experienced it over 50 years ago.

What were the original vitola dimensions and factory name of the Saint Luis Rey Serie B?

The Serie B measured approximately 5.5 inches by 42 ring gauge, placing it in the corona or corona extra category. In Cuban factory terminology, it likely corresponded to a standard mold designation common to that era. Saint Luis Rey historically utilized tobacco from the Vuelta Abajo region, though specific blend compositions for the Serie B remain unrecorded. The brand itself, established in 1940 by the Zamora family, maintained a reputation for medium-to-full bodied cigars prior to nationalization.

How does the Saint Luis Rey Serie B compare to other discontinued Cuban cigars from the same period?

The Serie B shares its discontinued status with contemporaries like the Partagás Sobrinos and early H. Upmann sizes eliminated during the 1970s consolidation era. Unlike some discontinued cigars that were later revived as limited editions, the Serie B never returned to production. Collectors seeking similar smoking experiences might explore current Saint Luis Rey offerings like the Regios or Hermosos No. 4, though these modern iterations use contemporary tobacco stocks and adjusted blends that differ significantly from pre-1970s profiles.

When was the Saint Luis Rey Serie B discontinued and why is it so rare to find today?

The Saint Luis Rey Serie B was discontinued during the 1970s, making it one of the earlier casualties among regular production Cuban cigars. Its scarcity today stems from both its age and limited surviving stock. Unlike discontinued cigars from the 1990s or 2000s, virtually no sealed boxes remain in private collections or humidors. The Serie B exists primarily through documented evidence, vintage advertisements, and oral histories from smokers who experienced it over 50 years ago.

What were the original vitola dimensions and factory name of the Saint Luis Rey Serie B?

The Serie B measured approximately 5.5 inches by 42 ring gauge, placing it in the corona or corona extra category. In Cuban factory terminology, it likely corresponded to a standard mold designation common to that era. Saint Luis Rey historically utilized tobacco from the Vuelta Abajo region, though specific blend compositions for the Serie B remain unrecorded. The brand itself, established in 1940 by the Zamora family, maintained a reputation for medium-to-full bodied cigars prior to nationalization.

How does the Saint Luis Rey Serie B compare to other discontinued Cuban cigars from the same period?

The Serie B shares its discontinued status with contemporaries like the Partagás Sobrinos and early H. Upmann sizes eliminated during the 1970s consolidation era. Unlike some discontinued cigars that were later revived as limited editions, the Serie B never returned to production. Collectors seeking similar smoking experiences might explore current Saint Luis Rey offerings like the Regios or Hermosos No. 4, though these modern iterations use contemporary tobacco stocks and adjusted blends that differ significantly from pre-1970s profiles.

Cigar Information

Saint Luis Rey Serie B

The Saint Luis Rey Serie B represents a chapter in Cuban cigar history that has long since closed. This regular production cigar was discontinued during the 1970s, leaving behind only the memories of aficionados who had the privilege of experiencing it during its relatively brief market presence.

Historical Background

The Serie B entered the market as a pre-1960 release, making it one of the earlier offerings under the Saint Luis Rey brand. While the exact factory name associated with this vitola remains unknown, its presence in the Cuban cigar portfolio during that era speaks to the brand's commitment to providing diverse smoking options for enthusiasts of the time.

Unfortunately, the cigar's run proved finite. By the 1970s, production ceased entirely, and the Serie B joined the ranks of discontinued Cuban cigars that collectors and historians continue to reference today.

Specifications

Ring Gauge	48
Length	157 mm (6⅛ inches)
Estimated Weight	13.52 g
Construction	Handmade
Band	Standard band A
Packaging	Dress box of 25 cigars
Status	Discontinued

Vitola Characteristics

With a ring gauge of 48 and a length of 157 millimeters (approximately 6⅛ inches), the Serie B offered a substantial smoking experience. This dimension places it comfortably within the Corona Gorda category, a vitola that allows for a balanced interplay between wrapper and filler tobaccos while providing a satisfying smoke duration.

The handmade construction ensured that each cigar received the attention to detail characteristic of Cuban cigar craftsmanship during that period. The standard band A adorned each specimen, maintaining brand consistency across the Saint Luis Rey portfolio.

Packaging

The Serie B was presented in dress boxes containing 25 cigars, a traditional packaging format that allowed retailers and collectors alike to acquire the cigars in quantities suitable for both immediate enjoyment and aging potential.

Legacy

Though no longer available, the Saint Luis Rey Serie B remains a point of interest for cigar historians and collectors who study the evolution of Cuban cigar offerings. Its discontinuation in the 1970s marked the end of its commercial availability, making any remaining specimens highly sought-after collector's items.

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Cigar Information

Saint Luis Rey Serie B

Historical Background

Specifications

Ring Gauge	48
Length	157 mm (6⅛ inches)
Estimated Weight	13.52 g
Construction	Handmade
Band	Standard band A
Packaging	Dress box of 25 cigars
Status	Discontinued