Description
The Trinidad Reyes: Cuba’s Best-Kept Secret in a Small Package
Look, I’ve been smoking Cuban cigars since my first trip to Havana back in ’96, and the Trinidad Reyes holds a special place in my humidor. Here’s the thing – most people gravitate toward the bigger vitolas in the Trinidad lineup, maybe thinking bigger equals better. But they’re missing out on what might be the most perfectly balanced smoke in the entire brand. This little Reyes – and I mean that affectionately because it’s a petit corona – delivers everything you want from Trinidad without demanding two hours of your time. We’re going to walk through everything that makes this cigar special, from that gorgeous Vuelta Abajo wrapper to the final draw, plus I’ll share some specific tasting notes and tell you exactly when you should reach for one.
What Makes the Trinidad Reyes Stand Out
Trinidad has this interesting history that not everyone knows about. The brand was originally created in 1969 as a diplomatic gift – yeah, you read that right. These cigars weren’t even available to the public until 1998. They were reserved for Cuba’s political elite and foreign dignitaries. That’s some serious pedigree. And while Trinidad eventually introduced several vitolas, the Reyes maintains that original DNA of refinement and elegance.
What sets the Reyes apart? Thing is, it’s built for the smoker who appreciates complexity but doesn’t always have ninety minutes to spare. The shorter length – we’re talking about a 110mm stick here – means you get that full Trinidad experience in about 30 to 40 minutes. The construction is meticulous. I’m talking triple-cap, perfectly rolled, using tobacco exclusively from the El Laguito factory where they also make Cohiba. That’s not marketing speak, that’s just facts.
This cigar is ideal for the experienced aficionado who already knows what they like. Not gonna lie, if you’re brand new to Cubans, you might want to start elsewhere – not because the Reyes is overly strong, but because you need some reference points to truly appreciate the subtlety here. But for those who’ve worked their way through the standard lineup of Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, and Partagás? This is your next move.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Reyes (Petit Corona) |
| Length | 4.3 inches / 110 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 40 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban Blend (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Strength | Medium to Medium-Full |
| Smoking Time | 35-45 minutes |
The Smoking Experience: Third by Third Breakdown
Okay, so let me walk you through what actually happens when you light one of these up. I smoked one just last Thursday evening on my back porch – had maybe thirty minutes before dinner, perfect timing.
Cold Draw and Initial Light: Before you even toast the foot, take a good cold draw. You’ll get this immediate cedar note – and I mean that classic Cuban cedar, not the harsh pencil shavings you sometimes get from inferior cigars. There’s a subtle sweetness underneath, almost like dried fruit. Maybe I’m imagining things, but I swear there’s a hint of vanilla bean in there too. The draw resistance is exactly where it should be – not too tight, not loose. Once you light it up, that first puff gives you creamy smoke, almost buttery. The wrapper has this oily sheen that tells you it’s been aged properly, and that translates directly to the smoothness on your palate.
First Third: Here’s where the Reyes shows its breeding. The smoke is cool – and that’s important in a smaller ring gauge because thin cigars can sometimes smoke hot and harsh. Not this one. You’re getting cedar front and center, but there’s this creamy coffee note developing. Not espresso, more like a latte with real cream. The retrohale – and you should absolutely retrohale this cigar – brings out some white pepper spice. It’s not aggressive, just enough to keep things interesting. The burn line stays razor sharp without any corrections needed, and the ash builds up in this light gray color that holds for a solid inch before I tap it off.
Second Third: Wait, let me back up – I should mention that around the halfway point, this is where the Reyes really separates itself from pedestrian petit coronas. The strength picks up slightly, moving from medium into that medium-full territory. The coffee notes get richer, more pronounced. Now you’re tasting cocoa – think dark chocolate, maybe 70% cacao, with just a touch of bitterness that works perfectly with the natural tobacco sweetness. There’s this earthy component that reminds me of walking through tobacco fields after a light rain. Between you and me, this middle section is why I keep coming back to this vitola. Some people think the leather notes here, and yeah, I can see that – but to me it’s more like seasoned wood. Cedar chest, maybe mahogany. The aroma is fantastic during this stage. My wife, who doesn’t smoke, actually commented that it smelled like “expensive wood and coffee beans.”
Final Third: Here’s the thing about the last third – this is where construction quality really shows itself, and the Reyes doesn’t disappoint. No bitterness, no overheating. The strength builds to a solid medium-full but never crosses into full territory. You’re getting all those flavors from earlier – the cedar, coffee, cocoa – but now there’s this spicy finish developing. I pick up cinnamon, maybe nutmeg. The creamy texture stays consistent right to the nub. Real talk: I smoke this cigar down until I can’t hold it anymore. That’s rare for me. The retrohale in this final stage brings out some toasted almonds – I know that sounds overly specific, but I’m telling you what I taste.
Construction-wise, I’ve never had a plugged Reyes. Never had one canoe on me. The ash stays relatively compact, and while it’s not quite as sturdy as, say, a Cohiba‘s ash, it holds its own. The wrapper never cracks or unravels, even if you’re smoking in less-than-ideal humidity conditions.
How Does It Compare?
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinidad Reyes | Medium to Medium-Full | 35-45 minutes | Sophisticated quick smoke, refined palate |
| Montecristo No. 4 | Medium | 45-55 minutes | Classic Cuban experience, more time available |
| Partagás Serie D No. 5 | Medium-Full | 30-40 minutes | Bolder flavors, earthier profile |
The comparison to Montecristo No. 4 comes up constantly, and I get why – they’re both premier petit coronas from legendary Cuban brands. But here’s my take: the Monte No. 4 is more straightforward, more “in your face” with its hay and grass notes. The Reyes is more refined, more nuanced. If the No. 4 is wearing a nice polo shirt, the Reyes showed up in a tailored suit. Both are great, just different occasions.
The Partagás Serie D No. 5 is stronger and earthier – think tobacco fields and leather, versus the Reyes’ cedar and coffee shop vibe. I reach for the Partagás when I want something robust. I reach for the Reyes when I want sophistication.
Perfect Pairings and When to Smoke One
Okay, so here’s what works. Coffee – and I mean this seriously – might be the perfect pairing for a Trinidad Reyes. I’m talking about a proper espresso, maybe a cortado if you want some milk to complement that creamy smoke. There’s something about the coffee notes in the cigar playing off actual coffee that just works. I’ve paired it with everything from Cuban coffee to a nice Ethiopian single-origin, and it never disappoints.
For spirits? A light rum – think Flor de Caña 7 or Havana Club Añejo Blanco – complements without overpowering. If you’re a whisky person, go with something smooth and not too peaty. A Highland scotch works, or honestly, a good bourbon like Woodford Reserve. I’ve also had success with aged cognac – the VSOP range, nothing too heavy. Hear me out: a dry sherry, like an Amontillado, is absolutely phenomenal with this cigar. That nutty character in the sherry echoes the cocoa and coffee notes beautifully.
Time of day? Late morning or early evening. This isn’t a breakfast cigar – too complex. It’s not a late-night smoke either – you’ll want something stronger for that. Think mid-morning with your second cup of coffee, or that golden hour before dinner. I love these after a round of golf or following a business lunch when I’ve got forty minutes before my next commitment.
Common Questions About Trinidad Reyes
What strength level is the Trinidad Reyes, really?
I’d place it firmly in the medium to medium-full range. It starts medium in the first third and builds gradually. If you’re comfortable with Montecristo No. 2 or Romeo y Julieta Churchill, you’ll handle the Reyes just fine. It’s not going to knock you over like a Partagás Lusitania, but it’s got enough oomph that complete beginners might find it a bit much. The strength is balanced though – never overwhelming, never weak.
How should I store Trinidad Reyes to maintain optimal flavor?
Keep them at 65-68% relative humidity and around 65-68°F if you can maintain that temperature. Thing is, Trinidad cigars have this reputation for being a bit temperamental about humidity – too high and they can get soft and lose complexity, too low and that beautiful wrapper cracks. I keep mine in a separate section of my humidor with Boveda 65% packs, and they smoke perfectly. Also, these benefit tremendously from aging. Six months minimum before you smoke them, a year is better, and honestly, if you can wait two years, you’ll be rewarded with even more complexity.
Is the Trinidad Reyes a limited edition or regular production?
It’s regular production, which is great news because it means consistent availability – though “consistent” with Cuban cigars is relative, you know? The Reyes has been part of the permanent Trinidad lineup since 2007. Now, Trinidad does release limited editions periodically, but the Reyes isn’t one of them. That said, availability can vary depending on your market and what Habanos SA decides to allocate where. I’ve never had trouble finding them, but I’ve heard some regions see sporadic supplies.
What’s the best way to cut a Trinidad Reyes given its smaller size?
I use a straight cut with a sharp guillotine cutter, taking off just enough to expose the filler – maybe 1/16 of an inch. The triple cap on these is beautifully constructed, so you don’t need to take much off. Some people like a punch cut on smaller ring gauges, but I find that restricts the draw too much on a 40 ring gauge. V-cuts can work too, but honestly, a clean straight cut is all you need. Just make sure your cutter is sharp – a dull blade will crush that cap and ruin the whole experience.
How does the Reyes compare to other vitolas in the Trinidad line?
The Reyes is the smallest regular production vitola in the Trinidad lineup, and I’ll be honest with you – it might be my favorite. The Fundadores is the flagship and it’s spectacular, but you need 90 minutes for that smoke. The Vigia is excellent too, similar size to a Lonsdale. But here’s what gets me about the Reyes: the flavor concentration in that smaller format is just incredible. You get all the classic Trinidad characteristics – that refined, elegant profile with cedar and coffee – but in a more accessible format. It’s like they took everything good about Trinidad and condensed it perfectly. Some people prefer the Coloniales for a longer smoke, and I get that, but for pure flavor-per-minute efficiency, the Reyes wins.
What’s the difference between current Reyes and boxes from a few years ago?
Okay, so this is interesting – and maybe a bit controversial – but I think the quality has actually improved slightly in recent years. I know some old-timers will fight me on this, but boxes from 2019 onward have been remarkably consistent in my experience. The earlier releases, right after 2007, were sometimes a bit uneven. These days, the wrapper quality seems more uniform, the construction is tighter, and the flavor profile is more reliable box-to-box. That said, if you find boxes from 2015-2017 that have been properly aged, those are absolute gems. The tobacco from that era has developed this incredible depth. But don’t sleep on current production – they’re smoking beautifully, especially with six months to a year of rest in your humidor.
Can beginners enjoy Trinidad Reyes or is it too advanced?
Look, I’m not going to gatekeep cigars – if you want to try a Reyes as a beginner, go for it. But here’s the reality: you probably won’t appreciate everything this cigar offers without some experience under your belt. It’s not about strength – a beginner can handle the nicotine level just fine. It’s about palate development. The subtlety and nuance of the flavor profile, those transitions between thirds, the way the cedar and coffee and cocoa all play together – you need reference points to really get it. My recommendation? Smoke your way through some Romeo y Julieta, Montecristo, maybe some H. Upmann first. Build your palate. Then come back to the Reyes and it’ll blow your mind. That said, if you’re already experienced with premium non-Cuban cigars and you understand complexity, you’ll probably appreciate the Reyes right away.
Final Thoughts on This Exceptional Vitola
The Trinidad Reyes represents something special in the world of Cuban cigars – it’s proof that size doesn’t determine quality. This little petit corona delivers a smoking experience that rivals cigars twice its size, and it does so in under an hour. The flavor profile walks that perfect line between accessible and complex, the construction is consistently excellent, and it fits into your life without demanding a huge time commitment.
I genuinely believe the Reyes is underrated in the broader cigar community. Everyone talks about the Fundadores, and yeah, that’s a legendary cigar. But the Reyes? It’s the one I actually reach for most often. That tells you something right there. Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado looking for your next regular smoke or someone ready to step up from the entry-level Cuban offerings, the Trinidad Reyes deserves a spot in your rotation.
Real talk: add a box to your humidor, let them rest for at least six months if you can manage the patience, and then smoke one on a quiet evening with a good cup of coffee or a glass of rum. You’ll understand exactly what I’ve been talking about. This is what Trinidad does best – refined, elegant, sophisticated Cuban tobacco at its finest, just in a smaller package. And honestly? Sometimes the best things really do come in small packages.
