What is the history of Troya Universales cigars and when were they discontinued?

The Troya Universales originated before 1960 as a standard production Cuban cigar, undergoing significant transformation during its nearly 50-year lifespan. The brand itself dates to 1932, created by the Argüelles family. The Universales vitola measured 140mm × 42 ring gauge, placing it in the corona category. Production continued through the nationalization of the Cuban cigar industry, with the line eventually discontinued around 2005. The Troya brand was briefly revived as a machine-made cigar for the Spanish market, though this bore little resemblance to the original hand-rolled Universales.

What are the flavor profile and smoking time of Troya Universales cigars?

The Troya Universales delivered a medium-bodied experience characteristic of traditional Cuban coronas from the pre-Special Period era. Smokers reported cedar and earth notes with subtle nuttiness, developing mild spice in the final third. The 140mm × 42 format typically provided 45-60 minutes of smoking time when properly stored. Compared to contemporaries like the Montecristo No. 4, the Universales offered a more restrained, workaday profile—less complex but consistent, reflecting its positioning as an accessible daily smoke rather than a special occasion cigar.

How much do Troya Universales cigars cost today and are they worth buying?

Authentic aged boxes of Troya Universales command $800-1,500 USD at auction, with single specimens rarely appearing individually. Condition verification is critical—proper humidification over 15-20 years preserves smokeability, though many examples suffer from compromised wrappers. For collectors of discontinued Cuban vitolas, the Universales holds historical significance as a representative of mid-century Cuban corona craftsmanship. However, for smoking enjoyment, comparable current-production alternatives like the Por Larrañaga Petit Coronas offer similar format and profile at accessible prices without the authenticity risks of aged stock.

What is the history of Troya Universales cigars and when were they discontinued?

The Troya Universales originated before 1960 as a standard production Cuban cigar, undergoing significant transformation during its nearly 50-year lifespan. The brand itself dates to 1932, created by the Argüelles family. The Universales vitola measured 140mm × 42 ring gauge, placing it in the corona category. Production continued through the nationalization of the Cuban cigar industry, with the line eventually discontinued around 2005. The Troya brand was briefly revived as a machine-made cigar for the Spanish market, though this bore little resemblance to the original hand-rolled Universales.

What are the flavor profile and smoking time of Troya Universales cigars?

The Troya Universales delivered a medium-bodied experience characteristic of traditional Cuban coronas from the pre-Special Period era. Smokers reported cedar and earth notes with subtle nuttiness, developing mild spice in the final third. The 140mm × 42 format typically provided 45-60 minutes of smoking time when properly stored. Compared to contemporaries like the Montecristo No. 4, the Universales offered a more restrained, workaday profile—less complex but consistent, reflecting its positioning as an accessible daily smoke rather than a special occasion cigar.

How much do Troya Universales cigars cost today and are they worth buying?

Authentic aged boxes of Troya Universales command $800-1,500 USD at auction, with single specimens rarely appearing individually. Condition verification is critical—proper humidification over 15-20 years preserves smokeability, though many examples suffer from compromised wrappers. For collectors of discontinued Cuban vitolas, the Universales holds historical significance as a representative of mid-century Cuban corona craftsmanship. However, for smoking enjoyment, comparable current-production alternatives like the Por Larrañaga Petit Coronas offer similar format and profile at accessible prices without the authenticity risks of aged stock.

Cigar Information

Troya Universales

The Troya Universales represents a fascinating chapter in Cuban cigar history—a vitola that spanned nearly half a century of production before its eventual discontinuation. Originally introduced before 1960, this cigar underwent a significant transformation during its lifetime, beginning as a handmade product before transitioning to machine-made construction around 1980.

Specifications

Factory Name	Universales
Ring Gauge	38
Length	134 mm (5¼″)
Official Weight	7.13 g
Construction	Machine-made (handmade until c. 1980)
Band	Standard band B

Production History

The Universales debuted as part of the Troya portfolio sometime before 1960, making it one of the older established releases in the brand's catalog. For approximately the first two decades of its existence, the cigar was crafted entirely by hand, representing the traditional Cuban approach to cigar manufacturing.

Around 1980, production methods shifted, and the Universales transitioned to machine-made construction. This change reflected broader industry trends during this period, as several Cuban brands moved select vitolas toward mechanized production to meet demand and control costs.

After decades on the market, the Troya Universales was officially discontinued in 2005, bringing an end to this long-running vitola's production run.

Packaging Options

Throughout its production lifetime, the Universales was offered in multiple packaging configurations to suit various consumer preferences:

Cardboard pack of 3 cigars
Cardboard pack of 3 cigars in cellophane
Cardboard pack of 5 cigars
Cardboard pack of 5 cigars in cellophane
Dress box of 25 cigars
Dress box of 25 cigars in cellophane

Collectibility and Legacy

As a discontinued Cuban cigar with a pre-revolution origin, the Troya Universales holds particular interest for collectors and enthusiasts of Cuban cigar history. The dual nature of its production—spanning both handmade and machine-made eras—makes it a unique specimen that reflects the evolution of Cuban cigar manufacturing practices during the latter half of the 20th century.

Questions & Answers

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