When Habanos S.A. decided to crown its limited‑edition program with a dedicated collection, it chose a cigar that could speak to both heritage and exclusivity: the Cuaba Salomonés Colección Habanos. Released at the turn of the millennium, this release didn’t just add another numbered cigar to the market—it redefined what a collector’s piece could be. Its debut in 2001 marked the very first installment of the Habanos Collection Series, a lineage that would go on to become synonymous with rarity, craftsmanship, and the revival of historic Cuban formats.
The Birth of a Collector’s Dream
In the early 2000s, the Cuban cigar industry sought a way to spotlight the most storied vitolas while offering aficionados something truly singular. The answer was the Habanos Collection Series, a curated line of limited‑run releases designed to celebrate the island’s cigar-making legacy. The inaugural model selected for this honor was the Cuaba Salomonés, a figurado whose silhouette harks back to the golden era of Cuban smoke. By choosing a brand already renowned for its devotion to the figurado shape, the series ensured that every puff would be a testament to artisanal skill and historical reverence.
Vitola Specifications
- Cigar Name: Salomonés
- Factory Name: Salomon
- Dimensions: 184 mm (7¼ in) length × 57 ring gauge
- Weight: 16.97 g
- Construction: Handmade
- Band: Standard band A
Design and Construction: A Figurado Masterpiece
The Salomon vitola is instantly recognizable for its dramatic profile. It begins with a bulbous foot—a rounded tip that gradually narrows toward the head before a subtle flare at the cap. This silhouette is not merely aesthetic; it serves a functional purpose. As the cigar burns, the changing ring gauge alters airflow and combustion dynamics, allowing the smoker to experience a complex evolution of flavors from start to finish. Achieving this shape demands a high degree of dexterity from the torcedor (cigar roller), making each Salomonés a showcase of expert technique.
The Cuaba brand has always specialized in figurados, but the Salomonés pushed that focus further. By selecting a shape that had fallen out of common production, the brand not only preserved a historic vitola but also introduced it to a new generation of enthusiasts. The combination of a sizable 57‑ring gauge and a lengthy 184‑mm body ensures a prolonged smoking session, perfect for those who savor the progression of aroma and strength.
Packaging and Rarity
Presentation for the Salomonés was as deliberate as its construction. Each cigar was housed in a numbered book‑shaped boîte nature box, a style that evokes the elegance of a fine‑art portfolio. The box contained exactly ten cigars, and the entire production run was limited to a mere 300 numbered boxes worldwide. This staggeringly low supply instantly elevated the release to a coveted status among collectors, with secondary‑market prices reflecting its scarcity.
- Packaging: Elegant, numbered book‑shaped box
- Quantity per box: 10 cigars
- Total production: 300 boxes (≈3,000 cigars)
The numbered nature of each box not only guarantees authenticity but also adds a narrative element: each set tells a tiny part of the larger story of Cuban cigar heritage. Owning a box feels like holding a piece of the island’s tobacco history.
Legacy and Influence
The Cuaba Salomonés Colección Habanos did more than launch a series—it set the benchmark for future limited‑edition releases. By aligning the brand’s expertise in figurados with a platform designed to resurrect historic shapes, Habanos S.A. created a template that continues to inspire the development of new Colección editions. Today, the Salomonés remains a landmark reference point, often cited in discussions about the intersection of art, tradition, and exclusivity in the world of premium cigars.
For collectors and connoisseurs alike, the Salomonés represents a rare convergence of history, craftsmanship, and scarcity. Its debut in 2001 may be two decades past, but its influence endures, reminding us that in Cuban cigar culture, the past is always present, and each limited release is a bridge between the classic art of yesterday and the evolving tastes of today.
