Trinidad Reyes

Description

In 1992, a box of Trinidad cigars sold for $11,400 at the “Dinner of the Century” in Paris—and the brand wasn’t even available to the public. For decades, Trinidad existed as Cuba’s most exclusive secret, produced only as diplomatic gifts. The Reyes, released in 2003 when the brand finally went commercial, distills that rarefied heritage into forty minutes of smoking. Perhaps the most elegant small-format Cuban ever made, it wears Trinidad’s signature pigtail cap like a crown.

The Smoking Experience

First Third: The Reyes announces its pedigree immediately. Hazelnut and espresso dominate the opening—rich, roasted, sophisticated. A surprising coconut sweetness weaves through, tropical and unexpected. The smoke is impossibly creamy from the first draw, coating the palate with silk. Woody notes establish the foundation while a pleasant spice awakens the senses without aggression. Cedar appears, clean and aromatic. The retrohale is remarkably smooth for a 40 ring gauge, delivering complexity without punishment. This is not a cigar that needs warming up; it arrives fully formed.

Mid-Section: The heart of the Reyes reveals why collectors chase this marca. Medium-roast coffee develops alongside vanilla—not sweet vanilla extract but the real bean, warm and nuanced. Oak notes strengthen, aged wood with depth. Tea biscuits appear on the palate, that specific buttery sweetness of English baking. The retrohale shows latte foam and salted caramel, flavors that seem impossible in tobacco but undeniably present. Floral white tea notes add elegance. The nutty character intensifies while spice comes and goes in waves. Every draw offers something slightly different.

Final Third: The conclusion takes a dramatic turn. Dark, robust oak dominates as the profile deepens considerably. What began creamy and light becomes complex and contemplative. Espresso returns with more intensity. Spice strengthens—cinnamon through the nose, pepper across the tongue. The thin ring gauge means some heat risk in the final inch, but patient smoking rewards with a remarkably refined finish. The transformation from opening elegance to closing depth justifies every peso of the price premium.

Flavor Profile

The Trinidad Legend

Trinidad was born in 1969, created exclusively for Fidel Castro to give as diplomatic gifts. For over two decades, the only way to obtain one was to know someone who knew someone who had received one from the Cuban government. Production happened at El Laguito—the same legendary factory that makes Cohiba—under maximum secrecy. When Habanos S.A. finally released Trinidad commercially in 1998, they started with only the Fundadores. The Reyes arrived in 2003, bringing the mystique into an accessible format. The signature pigtail cap, a hallmark of El Laguito craftsmanship, marks every Trinidad as something special before you even light it.

Perfect Pairings

• Espresso: The obvious choice—the cigar’s coffee notes find their mirror in the cup. A proper Cuban cortadito creates perfect harmony.
• Rum: Ron Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico Reserva—the caramel notes in both rum and cigar amplify each other beautifully.
• Whisky: Speyside single malt like Balvenie 12 DoubleWood—honey and vanilla complementing the cigar’s sweeter moments.
• Port: Tawny port, especially 10-year, matching the nutty complexity with similar caramelized richness.

Ideal For

The Trinidad Reyes suits smokers who demand excellence in compact formats. This is the lunch cigar for executives, the after-dinner smoke when time is short but standards aren’t. Its medium body and creamy profile make it approachable, yet the complexity rewards experienced palates seeking nuance over power. Give a fresh box two weeks minimum in your humidor—these need acclimation to truly shine. At its price point, you’re competing with some legendary vitolas, but the Trinidad delivers something none of them can: the mystique of Cuba’s most exclusive marca, distilled into forty extraordinary minutes.

Collector’s Note: The pigtail cap isn’t just aesthetic—it’s your quality seal. Every Trinidad Reyes rolled at El Laguito wears this signature, connecting your cigar to the hands that shaped Cohiba’s reputation.