UK, are you ready for another new cigar? Hunters & Frankau, the UK distributor of Cuban cigars, has officially announced and released the new Montecristo Brillantes cigar. It is available in all La Casa del Habanos in the UK, as well as some other retailers across the country.
The Brillantes is a special cigar in the Habanos collection. It measures 5 inches (128mm) long and has a 53 ring gauge. Each cigar has the classic Montecristo band as well as a red foot-band with a dragon emblem and the words “Year of the Dragon”.
There are 18 of these commemorative cigars in each box, and only 18,888 boxes have been produced worldwide. The number 8 is included because it is considered lucky in Chinese culture, symbolising prosperity and success.
In Chinese culture, the color red is considered auspicious, symbolising celebration and prosperity. These cigars are presented in a beautiful lacquered red box.
The details
Size: Venerables
Length: 5″
Length and Ring Gauge: 53
Origin: Cuba
Strength: Medium – Full
Wrapper: Corojo
Additionally, the boxes contain an NFC (Near Field Communication) feature, allowing consumers to access more information about the cigars and verify their authenticity.
Background
I first spotted news of this release the other day from a recent mailing list email from Havana House where they are selling these cigars at £76.50.
Upon visiting the Cuban Cigar Website, I discovered that Habanos S.A. launched the Chinese Year series in 2019 with the Romeo y Julieta Maravillas No.8 – Year of the Rat.
The Hoyo de Monterrey Primaveras (2020) – Year of the Ox has since followed this annual release.
Source: No 6 Cavendish
The H. Upmann Magnum 52 (2021) – Year of the Tiger.
and the Cohiba Siglo de Oro (2022) – Year of the Rabbit.
The Año Chino series consists of high-quality, large-format cigars from global brands. These cigars are released annually around the time of Chinese New Year, first in Hong Kong and then made available worldwide. They come in luxurious red and gold boxes containing 8 or 18 cigars, with footbands featuring a Chinese zodiac animal. Typically, 8,888 pieces are produced.
Chinese New Year falls in late January or early February, while new Cuban cigars are usually announced at the Festival del Habanos in late February. The “release year” for Año Chino cigars is considered to be the year they are announced, which is the year before the year they represent.
These particular cigars were launched globally a couple of months ago, in February 2024, at The Murray Hotel in Hong Kong.
Source; Habanos S.A.
Source: Habanos S.A.
Source: Habanos S.A.
Comparison of cigar prices in the UK right now ️🔥
| Cigar merchant | Single | Box (of 18) |
| Cigars of Cuba | – | £1,740.00 |
| Havana House | £76.50 | |
| Robert Graham | – | £1,799.00 |
| GQ Tobaccos | – | £1,356.00 |
| James Barber Tobacconist | – | £1,799.00 |
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