Last week, the eyes of the Cuban Cigar world were trained on the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid as the sole Limited Edition for 2020, the Partagas Legado, was finally released. The home of Atletico Madrid, which benefits from a retractable roof and is one of the most modern football stadia in the world, was chosen by Spanish distributors Tabacalera and Club Pasion Habanos to host a spectacular night of live music, food & drink, and these magnificent cigars.
The Legados sees Partagas use the Hermosos No 2 vitola for the first time. This shape has only ever been used for the Edicion Limitada series – most recently the Quai d’Orsay Senadores – and measures 48 ring gauge by 6 1/8 inches, making it a substantial cigar which will provide well over an hour of smoking pleasure. Habanos SA tell us to expect plenty of woody, earthy flavours backed up by a slight sweetness, but blended to a slightly lighter body than usually delivered by this brand. With boxes expected to hit shelves soon, this promises to be a delight for collectors to both enjoy now and lay down for some extra aging.
The stunning presentation box for the Partagas Legado EL 2020. Image from Habanos SA.
Of course, these sticks will be limited in number and hard to find, making them a good investment for the aficionado who likes to delay the pleasures of their collection and savour the knowledge that the cigars they have saved for years are now some of the rarest delights in the world. To celebrate the Partagas Legado finally being released to collectors – after longer-than-usual delays caused by the logistical difficulties of 2020 – here are a few more rare and collectable boxes to be treasured as investments in future pleasure.
Cohiba Majestuosos 1966 – 50th Anniversary Humidor
Cohiba cigars are always the most desirable, and collectors all over the world spend hours scouring the internet and their local cigar shops to find the best examples. Only 1,966 of these exquisite humidors were made, each containing 20 cigars. The sticks themselves are also particularly special – the Majestuoso 1966 vitola used measures 58 ring gauge by 5 7/8 inches and is unique to this release. Anniversary editions from Cohiba are always both extremely high quality and extremely popular, making this a highly sought-after item. Any collection which features one will certainly be the envy of many.
Trinidad Casilda – Coleccion Habanos 2019
The Coleccion Habanos series – otherwise known as the Book Editions, due to the shape of the commemorative humidors which house them – have been very successful since the first edition in 2001. Production numbers are strictly limited, so getting your hands on one is something to be celebrated. 2019 saw 2,000 such humidors produced containing 24 Trinidad Casildas, one of the largest Trinidad cigars at 7 ¼ inches by 53 ring gauge. Naturally, each features the trademark pigtail cap the brand is known for, and will provide an opulent smoking experience worthy of the rarity of the collection.
Partagas Lusitania Gran Reserva Cosecha 2007
Limited Editions are far from the only special releases afforded to Partagas. As one of Cuba’s oldest and most popular brands it regularly sees small numbers of incredible cigars rolled for its devotees. The Lusitania Gran Reserva was presented in 2013, the tobacco having been aged for 5 years from the 2007 harvest before being rolled into these majestic, imposing sticks. This means they now benefit from 8-9 years of box aging on top of the 5 years the leaves first rested for, and are incredibly hard to find. The 49 ring gauge by 7 5/8 inch Double Corona size will smoke for over 90 minutes; after so much time for the tobacco to age and mellow this time will most likely be some of the best you have ever spent with a cigar.
Romeo y Julieta Fabulosos No. 2 – Coleccion Habanos 2016
Another from the fabled Book Series, the Romeo y Julieta Fabulosos No. 2 was produced in even smaller quantities than the Casilda, each of the 2,000 boxes only containing 20 cigars. The 52 ring gauge by 7 ½ inch size is equally impressive, though, as is the beautiful presentation of the black-lacquered cedar humidor. Another release which was subject to a slight delay, when these books eventually hit the market in 2018 they disappeared again fairly quickly as high-end collectors rushed to grab theirs. Like the rest of the cigars on this list, these are not sticks for every day, but their presence in your collection will always bring a smile when you see it, and the rare occasions you choose to smoke one will be a magnificent treat.
Cohiba 55 Anniversario Edicion Limitada 2021
Just as the Legado suffered a significant delay before finally being released to the world, we are still yet to see any of the 2021 Limited Editions, and would be forgiven for assuming it will be 2022 before we do. When they do finally arrive it is without question that the one most collectors will be fighting for is the Cohiba 55 Anniversario – a mighty 57 ring gauge by almost 6 inches cigar that promises to be a true delight. The varnished boxes of 10 cigars will fly off shelves almost as quickly as they land on them, so even though they are not available yet, it’s a good idea to plan for their arrival. Better that than be left disappointed when the purchasing window sneaks open…