The Older, the Better: The Benefits of Aging Cuban Tobacco

We are frequently asked by cigar enthusiasts about the appeal of aged Habanos. The term “Vintage” is on everyone’s lips these days, whether in the context of clothing, cars, or watches – vintage is undeniably trendy. But when it comes to Habanos, it’s more than just a trend; this topic is far from new. Since the publication of An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Post-Revolutionary Havana Cigars by Min Ron Nee and Adriano Martínez Rius in 2004, aged cigars have become a prominent subject even in this part of the world. But what does it actually mean?

There are two ways Cuban tobacco can improve in quality over time. Either the loose leaves age during storage, before being rolled into cigars, or the finished Habanos develop their full aroma while stored in their boxes.

Aging the Tobacco Leaves

Let’s begin with the first method: storage before rolling. Just as cognac, whiskey, or rum rests in oak barrels for years to develop its character, cigar tobaccos also benefit from additional aging. During this process, tannins break down while sugar content increases, resulting in a smoother, milder, and more aromatic flavor. Since 1999, various bales of tobacco leaves have been selectively tested for their aging potential. The finest leaves from each harvest are set aside and stored in specially designated warehouses in Havana. These are typically reserved for exceptional specialties, truly remarkable Habanos often produced in limited quantities. These cigar series vary in the aging time of their tobacco and their composition, and they are categorized into three main groups:

Reserva

The term Reserva refers to Habanos where all components (filler, binder, and wrapper) are aged in bales for at least three years before being rolled in the factory. The first of these specialties, the Cohiba Selección Reserva, was introduced in 2003 using leaves from the 1999 harvest. Subsequent releases included the Partagás Serie D No. 4 Reserva with leaves from the 2000 harvest and the Montecristo No. 4 Reserva made from 2002 harvest leaves. Typically, only 100,000 cigars are produced and sold in elegant, black-lacquered, numbered boxes of 20. Each cigar features a second band, in black and silver, identifying it as a Reserva.

Gran Reserva

Gran Reserva cigars are those where the filler, binder, and wrapper leaves are aged for at least five years before further processing. Only the finest leaves from the Vuelta Abajo, Cuba’s premier tobacco-growing region, are selected. The rigorous standards ensure the Habanos deliver a unique aroma. The first Gran Reserva was released in 2009, using tobaccos from the 2003 harvest. The chosen format for this special edition was the renowned Siglo VI from Cohiba. Only 5,000 numbered, black-lacquered boxes of 15 cigars each were produced, each adorned with a gold-and-black secondary band.

Edición Limitada

An Edición Limitada stands out visually from other cigars: its wrappers are darker and thicker than those of a regular Habano. They are sourced from the upper parts of plants grown using the Tabaco Tapado method. These leaves require a longer fermentation period, aging in bales for at least two years before being crafted into a Habano. The first Edición Limitada was introduced in 2000, and since then, three to five are typically released each year, with the exception of 2002. Initially, only the wrappers of the Edición Limitada were specially aged. Since 2007, the filler and binder have also been aged for a minimum of two years. The boxes feature a black-and-gold seal to distinguish them, and the cigars bear a second band with the vintage year.

By the way, if you’re curious about an authentic Reserva, you’ll need to wait a bit longer. The announced Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 Reserva, made from tobaccos of the 2012 harvest, will hit the market in the coming months.