When Habanos S.A. decides to resurrect a long-dormant vitola, cigar enthusiasts around the world take notice. The H. Upmann Noellas LCDH stands as a perfect example of this phenomenon, arriving as an exclusive offering tailored specifically for the prestigious La Casa del Habano retail network. This release goes beyond merely adding another option to the humidor—it represents a thoughtful nod to the brand's storied past while giving modern smokers access to a format that had vanished from standard production lines decades ago.
A Nod to Heritage: The Glass Jar Tradition
For collectors and historians of Cuban tobacco, the presentation of the Noellas carries immense significance. During the mid-twentieth century through the early 1980s, Cuba's cigar industry frequently marketed premium selections in distinctive glass vessels. These containers served a dual purpose: they preserved the cigars in optimal condition while simultaneously elevating the perceived value of the contents within. By the time the 1980s drew to a close, however, this packaging style had largely fallen out of favor, replaced by the now-ubiquitous wooden boxes and paper dress boxes that dominate store shelves today.
The Noellas brings this tradition roaring back to life. Presented in a substantial jar containing twenty-five units, this release demonstrates that Habanos has not forgotten its roots. The decision to revive this aesthetic serves as a reminder that luxury and practicality can coexist beautifully. For those who remember the golden age of Cuban exports, the visual alone sparks nostalgia; for younger aficionados, it offers a tangible connection to an era they never experienced firsthand.
Technical Specifications and Dimensions
Beneath the elegant presentation lies a cigar built on time-honored principles. The factory designation for this model is "Cosacos," a name that might be unfamiliar to casual smokers but holds weight among those who study vitola nomenclature. Measuring 135 millimeters—or approximately five and three-eighths inches—with a ring gauge of 42, the Noellas occupies a comfortable middle ground in terms of physical proportions. It is neither a massive display of tobacco nor a delicate miniature, instead offering a format that encourages a contemplative smoking session lasting roughly forty-five minutes to an hour.
Each unit carries an official weight of 8.84 grams, hand-rolled by skilled torcedores using traditional methods. The visual presentation includes the standard H. Upmann "band C" design accompanied by a secondary band denoting its La Casa del Habano exclusivity. This dual-banding approach immediately signals to knowledgeable buyers that they are holding something outside the ordinary production run.
Release Timeline and Availability
The journey from announcement to retail shelves proved longer than anticipated. Habanos officially declared the Noellas in 2009, setting a target release date of January 1 of that same year. Reality, however, had different plans. Enthusiasts would not actually see inventory appear in shops until late 2010, nearly two years after the initial proclamation. Such delays are hardly unusual in the world of premium Cuban cigars, where quality control and agricultural variables frequently disrupt even the most carefully laid schedules.
Initial communications suggested a production ceiling of five thousand units, leading many to believe this would be a genuine limited edition destined to disappear forever once stocks depleted. That restriction, it turned out, applied solely to the first batch. A second run materialized in 2013, and subsequent productions have emerged sporadically in the years since. What began as a potentially one-time offering has evolved into an ongoing, if irregular, part of the LCDH catalog.
Flavor Profile and Consumer Reception
With nearly eighty consumer reviews contributing to an impressive overall score of 4.59 out of 5, the Noellas has clearly resonated with its target audience. Smokers consistently award high marks across key categories: elegance, balance, strength, complexity, and aftertaste each earn an average of four out of five points. Such uniformity suggests a cigar that delivers on its promises without significant weak points.
The flavor architecture centers on baking spices and aromatic qualities that define the smoking experience from the first draw. Supporting roles fall to shortbread sweetness and rich coffee undertones, creating a foundation of comfort and warmth. Traditional Cuban characteristics emerge through leather and woody notes, providing the gravitas that seasoned palates expect from the island's exports. Beyond these core elements, reviewers have documented an astonishing breadth of additional nuances: citrus brightness, creamy textures, pepper warmth, almond nuttiness, cedar dryness, cinnamon warmth, and floral delicacy all make appearances. Some detect butter, chamomile, bitter chocolate, tamarind, tea, and toast lurking in the background, while that ineffable "Cuban twang" ties everything together into a cohesive whole.
For devotees of H. Upmann and collectors of LCDH exclusives, the Noellas represents something genuinely special—a chance to own a piece of resurrected history wrapped in traditional packaging and filled with complex, satisfying flavors.
