The San Luis Rey Puritos represents a discontinued entry in Cuba's small cigar category, offering enthusiasts a compact smoking experience from one of the island's lesser-known marcas. Produced as a regular production item before its eventual discontinuation, this cigar exemplified the machine-made approach to smaller formats.
Specifications
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Cigar Name | San Luis Rey Puritos |
| Factory Name | Chicos |
| Ring Gauge | 29 |
| Length | 106 mm (4⅛″) |
| Official Weight | 3.00 g |
| Construction | Machine-made |
| Status | Discontinued |
Construction and Presentation
As a machine-made cigar, the San Luis Rey Puritos was manufactured using automated processes rather than hand-rolling techniques typically associated with premium Cuban cigars. This production method allowed for greater consistency and efficiency in creating the diminutive format.
The cigar featured a mini band design derived from San Luis Rey's standard band B, maintaining brand identity while scaled appropriately for the smaller vitola. The presentation consisted of cardboard packs containing five cigars, each wrapped in cellophane for protection and preservation.
Format and Smoking Experience
With its slender 29 ring gauge and modest 106 mm length, the Puritos fell squarely into the small cigar category. The factory designation "Chicos" — Spanish for "small" or "little ones" — aptly described this compact format. Weighing just 3 grams per cigar, these were designed for brief smoking occasions when time constraints made larger vitolas impractical.
Legacy
Though no longer in production, the San Luis Rey Puritos remains part of the broader story of Cuban small cigars. Its discontinuation reflects the evolving preferences of cigar enthusiasts and the rationalization of certain product lines by Habanos S.A. over the years.