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.