For the discerning aficionado, the allure of a discontinued Cuban cigar lies not just in the smoke itself, but in the tangible connection to a lost era of craftsmanship. The Don Cándido Short Coronas stands as a prime example of such a relic—a vitola that has not seen the light of production since the early 1980s. To encounter one of these cigars today is to handle a piece of history, representing a specific chapter in the island's tobacco narrative that has been permanently closed.
A Product of Post-Revolutionary Industry
The story of the Don Cándido Short Coronas begins in the late 1960s, a pivotal decade for Cuba's cigar infrastructure. Following the nationalization of private tobacco enterprises, the landscape of production underwent a radical transformation. It was during this period of industrial restructuring that the Don Cándido brand, already steeped in heritage, released the Short Coronas as a staple offering. Unlike the limited edition releases that characterize the modern market, this was a regular production cigar intended for widespread consumption, making its eventual disappearance all the more intriguing to historians.
Production of this specific format continued for more than a decade, serving smokers during years of significant change. However, the run concluded in 1982, when the cigar was officially discontinued. In the decades since, the brand has ceased to produce this specific size, leaving a void that has never been filled by a modern equivalent. This long absence has transformed what was once a standard shelf item into a sought-after artifact for those chasing the ghosts of Cuban tobacco past.
Technical Profile: The Marevas Format
At the heart of this cigar’s identity is its factory name: the Marevas. While marketed to consumers as the Short Coronas, the industry designation of "Marevas" links it to one of the most fundamental formats in the Cuban cigar lexicon. This classification represents the archetypal corona dimensions, a size that has historically served as the benchmark for blending balance and structural integrity.
- Factory Name: Marevas
- Dimensions: Measuring 129 mm (approximately 5⅛ inches) in length.
- Ring Gauge: A classic 42, a standard that predates the modern preference for thicker robustos.
- Official Weight: Listed at 8.46 g.
This combination of length and girth results in a smoking experience that is neither too brief nor overly demanding. The Marevas format is revered for allowing the tobacco’s complexity to unfold at a measured pace, providing enough development time for distinct flavor evolution while remaining approachable. It is a size that demands precision in the rolling process, ensuring the draw remains optimal throughout the session.
Presentation and Visual Identity
Visual consistency was a hallmark of the Don Cándido brand, and the Short Coronas was no exception. The cigars were adorned with the brand's standard "Band A" design, ensuring instant recognition among the brand's portfolio. This adherence to a specific aesthetic helped solidify the brand's identity during its production years.
The cigars were originally housed in semi boîte nature boxes, a presentation style utilizing sliding-lid wooden boxes with a natural finish. Each container held 25 cigars, a traditional count that has remained standard for decades. A crucial detail for modern preservationists is that each individual cigar was wrapped in cellophane. This protective layer has played a vital role in the survival of remaining stocks, shielding the delicate wrapper leaves from environmental damage and the ravages of time. For collectors finding these boxes today, the cellophane offers a barrier against the elements that naked cigars often lack.
The Collector's Prize
In the world of cigar collecting, rarity is often driven by scarcity, but true prestige comes from the complete absence of a product from the modern market. Because the Don Cándido Short Coronas has no current regular production replacement, it occupies a unique space. It is not merely an older version of a current cigar; it is a distinct entity that no longer exists in the standard catalog.
For those lucky enough to acquire a well-preserved example, the appeal is multifaceted. There is the historical significance of a smoke produced during the reorganization years of the late 60s and 70s. Furthermore, there is the opportunity to taste a blend of Cuban tobacco from a specific harvest era that can never be replicated. As the years pass, surviving boxes and singles become increasingly fragmented among private humidors, making the Don Cándido Short Coronas a genuine prize for those dedicated to preserving the legacy of Cuba's tobacco