IPCPR 2018: Gran Habano

Gran Habano was back with new cigars, new packaging and a beautiful 50-count box collection.

Company president George Rico had a moment to talk with me about what was new, with the big thing being a new blend.

Blue in Green

The new blend at the show is the Blue in Green. It’s a limited production cigar that will be rolled as the tobacco for it is ready, and while some things like the bands didn’t make it to the show, it should be shipping soon.

• Wrapper: Connecticut
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua

• Gran Habano Blue in Green Churchill (7 x 48) – $7.30 (Boxes of 20, $146)
• Gran Habano Blue in Green Gran Robusto (6 x 54) – $7.30 (Boxes of 20, $146)
• Gran Habano Blue in Green Robusto (5 x 52) – $6.70 (Boxes of 20, $134)

Production: Limited production

Launch Date: Sept. 1, 2018

Gran Reserva No. 5 2012

The Gran Reserva is Gran Habano’s aged series, with the cigars being rolled in the year of the title and then being aged for three to five years. This particular release received an extra year of rest.

• Wrapper: Nicaragua
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Costa Rica & Nicaragua

• Gran Habano Gran Reserva 2012 Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46) – $8.10 (Boxes of 20, $162)
• Gran Habano Gran Reserva 2012 Gran Robusto (6 x 54) – $8.60 (Boxes of 20, $172)
• Gran Habano Gran Reserva 2012 Imperial (6 x 60) – $9.40 (Boxes of 20, $188)
• Gran Habano Gran Reserva 2012 Czar (6 x 66) – $11.10 (Boxes of 20, $222)
• Gran Habano Gran Reserva 2012 Grandioso (7 x 70) – $11.50 (Boxes of 20, $230)

Production: n/a

Launch Date: September 2018

La Colección de Elegancia Corojo No. 5 Maduro

As a follow up to the original La Colección de Elegancia Corojo No. 5, the maduro blend is now getting the sampler treatment. It comes with 50 cigars – 10 of each blend.

• Wrapper: Nicaragua
• Binder: Habano
• Filler: Costa Rica, Nicaragua

• Gran Habano Corojo No. 5 Maduro Lunch Break (4 1/2 x 40)
• Gran Habano Corojo No. 5 Maduro Petite Corona 5 ½ x 42
• Gran Habano Corojo No. 5 Maduro Corona 6 x 44
• Gran Habano Corojo No. 5 Maduro Lancero 7 ½ x 38
• Gran Habano Corojo No. 5 Maduro Figurado #200 5 x 48
• Box of 50 Cigars, $356

Production: 1,000 Boxes of 50 Cigars (50,000 Total Cigars)

Launch Date: August 2018

Tubos

Gran Habano is bringing back the clear tubo packaging option for the 6 x 54 Gran Robusto in its core lines, namely the Connecticut #1, Habano #3, Corojo #5 and Corojo #5 Maduro blends. The tubos will be offered in both five-count boxes priced at $40 and 10-count boxes priced at $80.

• Gran Habano Connecticut #1 Gran Robusto Tubos (6 x 54) – $8 (Boxes of 5, $40; Boxes of 10, $80)
• Gran Habano Habano #3 Gran Robusto Tubos (6 x 54) – $8 (Boxes of 5, $40; Boxes of 10, $80)
• Gran Habano Corojo #5 Gran Robusto Tubos (6 x 54) – $8 (Boxes of 5, $40; Boxes of 10, $80)
• Gran Habano Corojo #5 Maduro Gran Robusto Tubos (6 x 54) – $8 (Boxes of 5, $40; Boxes of 10, $80)

Production: Regular Production

Launch Date: August 2018

Brian Burt

I have been smoking cigars since 2005 and reviewing them as a hobby since 2010. Initially, I started out small with a 50-count humidor and only smoking one or two cigars a month. Not knowing anybody else that smoked cigars, it was only an occasional hobby that I took part in. In March of 2010, I joined Nublive and Cigar Asylum, connecting me with many people who also shared an interest in cigars. Reading what they had to say about brands I had never heard of, I quickly immersed myself in the boutique brands of the industry and it was then that cigars transformed from a hobby into a passion.