Habanos S.A. Announces H. Upmann Gran Reserva, 2017 Edición Limitadas

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.

This is the new Gran Reserva H. Upmann Sir Winston (47×178 mm) #Habanos lovers will enjoy it in a limited production of 5,000 cases. #FdH17 pic.twitter.com/isrAaM4khT

— Habanos SA Oficial (@Habanos_Oficial) February 27, 2017

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.

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.

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.

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.