While not much of a surprise, Habanos S.A. has shown off the 2017 versions of both its Edición Limitada and Gran Reserva series.

The flagship release is the H. Upmann Sir Winston Gran Reserva Cosecha 2011, a special version of the classic Churchill vitola from the Upmann line. The Gran Reserva series—and its Reserva sibling—are vintage versions of releases of existing sizes from Habanos S.A.’s global brands.

Gran Reservas use tobacco from a specific crop—in this case 2011—that is deemed special enough for a vintage. They are limited, typically to 5,000 boxes of 15, that are substantially higher-end than the typical packaging. While the Sir Winston is officially the 2017 entry, Habanos S.A. has not been releasing the cigars in normal fashion.

The 2015 release—the Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchills Gran Reserva Cosecha 2009—has still not been released, neither has the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 Reserva Cosecha 2012, which was last year’s Reserva.

While it might take a while for the Sir Winston Gran Reserva to show up on shelves, prerelease versions will be given to attendees of the gala dinner at the end of this week’s XIX Festival del Habano in Havana.

Habanos S.A. 2017 Edicion Limitada

Unlike the Gran Reservas, the Edición Limitadas have generally been released on time. Like the Gran Reserva and Reservas, the Edición Limitadas are special versions of the Global Brands, though not of existing sizes.

Like in years past, there will be three releases for the 2017 program:

  • Cohiba Talisman — 6 1/12 (154mm) X 54 — Boxes of 10
  • Partagás Serie No.1 — 5 5/12 (138mm) x 52 — Boxes of 25
  • Punch Regios de Punch — 4 3/4 (120mm) x 48 — Boxes of 25

Habanos S.A. does not release production numbers for the Edición Limitadas. If they are released like in years past, they will show up in the latter half of the year.

H.Upmann Connoisseur B

In addition, the company showed off two new releases to La Casa del Habano (LCDH) stores:

  • H.Upmann Connoisseur B — 5 11/12 (150mm) x 54 — Boxes of 25
  • Trinidad La Trova — 6 1/2 (166mm) x 52 — Boxes of 12

La Casa del Habanos are franchise stores that represent the top level retailers of Cuban cigars. There are 144 locations around the world.Trinidad La Trova

Interestingly, the H.Upmann release features the new LCDH secondary band that emerged on the Punch Punch 48. The Trinidad, oddly, uses the older band.

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Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.