What are the dimensions and smoking time of San Luis Rey Lonsdales?

The San Luis Rey Lonsdales measures 42 ring gauge by 165mm (6.5 inches) in length, placing it in the classic Lonsdale vitola category. This slender format typically delivers a 60-75 minute smoking experience depending on draw pace. The 42 ring gauge allows the wrapper-to-filler ratio to emphasize the San Luis Rey blend's characteristic earthy, woody profile without overwhelming the palate.

When was San Luis Rey Lonsdales discontinued and why is it hard to find now?

Production ceased in 2002 after just 13 years of regular production, making it one of Habanos S.A.'s shorter-lived releases. Introduced in 1989, the cigar never achieved broad commercial distribution outside European markets, particularly Spain and Germany. Limited original production numbers, combined with two decades of aging since discontinuation, have rendered surviving boxes genuine collector's items commanding significant premiums at auction.

How does San Luis Rey Lonsdales compare to other Cuban Lonsdales like Cohiba or Hoyo de Monterrey?

Unlike the refined, honeyed elegance of Hoyo de Monterrey or Cohiba's signature grassy complexity, San Luis Rey Lonsdales presents a more rustic, medium-to-full bodied character. The blend emphasizes Sancti Spíritus region tobaccos with pronounced leather, cedar, and subtle pepper notes. Where Cohiba Lonsdales command luxury pricing, San Luis Rey historically occupied an accessible price tier, offering experienced smokers an alternative expression of Cuban terroir without the prestige markup.

San Luis Rey Lonsdales

The San Luis Rey Lonsdales represents a fascinating chapter in Cuban cigar history—a vitola that arrived with modest fanfare in 1989 and quietly exited the scene just over a decade later. While officially classified as a regular production cigar, this elegant smoke remains something of a curiosity among collectors and enthusiasts, primarily because evidence suggests that only a single production run was ever completed.

Vitola Specifications

Cigar Name	Lonsdales
Factory Name	Cervantes
Ring Gauge	42
Length	165 mm (6½″)
Official Weight	10.80 g
Construction	Handmade
Band	Standard band A

Packaging Options

Dress box containing 10 cigars
Cajón (cabinet) containing 100 cigars

Production History

The San Luis Rey Lonsdales made its debut on January 1, 1989, joining the brand's lineup during a period when Cuban cigar production was undergoing significant changes. The cigar carried the classic Cervantes factory name—a designation shared across numerous Cuban marques for this traditional Lonsdale format.

Though official records indicate that the Lonsdales remained in production until its discontinuation in 2000, cigar historians and collectors widely believe that the initial 1989 batch represented the entirety of this vitola's manufacturing run. This would make the San Luis Rey Lonsdales particularly scarce in today's secondary market, with surviving examples commanding attention from serious aficionados.

The Lonsdale Format

At 42 ring gauge and 6½ inches in length, the Lonsdales offered smokers the classic Lonsdale experience—a format prized for its elegant proportions and balanced smoking time. The slender gauge encourages a focused, concentrated smoke that allows the blend's subtleties to shine through, while the generous length provides ample opportunity for the flavor profile to develop and evolve throughout the experience.

The San Luis Rey brand itself has long been appreciated by connoisseurs who recognize its consistent quality and distinctive character, making any discontinued vitola from this marque worthy of attention from collectors seeking to preserve Cuban cigar heritage.

San Luis Rey Lonsdales