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Reserva Cigars from Cuba: Tobacco Aged for Three Years
Time already plays an important role with Cuban cigars. With a Reserva, however, it takes center stage – complete with its own appearance on the cigar band. The term is clearly defined by Habanos: wrapper, binder and all filler tobaccos must be aged in bales for at least three years before rolling. Carefully selected leaves from Vuelta Abajo are used. The additional black and silver band shows that this is not simply a familiar cigar placed in a fancier box. “Cosecha 2018” or “Cosecha 2019” refers to the year in which the tobacco was harvested, not the year in which the finished cigar went on sale. Cuban timekeeping: relaxed, but with good reason.
How Three Years of Aging Change the Aroma
What happens during this aging process? Put simply, the tobacco becomes more rounded. Harsh, edgy impressions can soften, while sweetness, fragrance and finer nuances become more pronounced. That does not automatically make a Reserva mild. A full-bodied Montecristo remains a Montecristo even after three years. The additional aging is more about allowing strength and aroma to blend more seamlessly. The result can seem more harmonious, deeper and calmer than the regular version of the same format.
Reserva, Gran Reserva and Edición Limitada Compared
Reserva, Gran Reserva and Edición Limitada can be clearly distinguished from one another: With a Reserva, all tobacco leaves are aged for at least three years; with a Gran Reserva, they are aged for at least five. The latter carries an additional black and gold band instead of a black and silver one. Ediciones Limitadas follow a different concept: They are released in limited quantities, often in formats that are unusual for the brand, and their tobaccos undergo at least two years of additional aging. With Añejados, by contrast, already rolled cigars are aged for years in their boxes. So there are several Cuban routes to greater maturity. Simple would be boring, after all.
Who Cuban Reserva Cigars Are Worth It For
Are they worth the significant premium? That mainly depends on your expectations. Anyone who simply wants to smoke a very good Cuban cigar will find plenty of options outside the Reserva world as well.
However, anyone who wants to experience a familiar vitola under different aging conditions, compare vintage tobacco or collect a rare box gets tangible added value. Reservas are not a mandatory test for aficionados, nor are they automatically superior in quality to every standard cigar. They are more like a close-up: You do not necessarily taste “more”, but often with greater precision.
How to Store, Smoke and Pair a Reserva
For a first taste, it is advisable – where available – to start with a single cigar. After shipping, give it a few days to settle in a reliably climate-controlled humidor. When smoking, a clean cut, patient lighting and a leisurely pace all help. Puffing too quickly has a remarkably reliable way of turning even three-year-aged tobacco into hot air. Water is a good choice to start with; coffee, aged rum or a brandy that is not too sweet can be added later. This keeps the cigar in the starring role rather than letting the glass beside it steal the scene. Which cigar becomes your favorite is not decided by the silver band, but by your own palate. One thing is certain: These cigars have already been given plenty of time. When smoking them, it is only fair to return the favor.
