When the Cuban cigar world reflects on the decades that shaped its modern identity, the period from 1989 to 1999 stands out as a time of both tradition and transition. Among the offerings that populated the market during those years was the La Corona Coronas—a machine‑made vitola that carved out its own niche within a storied portfolio. Though its production run was relatively brief, the Coronas left a lasting impression on collectors and smokers who appreciate the subtleties of automated construction paired with classic Cuban flavor profiles.
The Birth of a Classic: 1989
In the opening months of 1989, La Corona introduced the Coronas as a regular production item, signaling a deliberate expansion of its core lineup. The launch was timed to coincide with a renewed focus on consistency across the brand’s portfolio. By placing this new vitola on store shelves, the company aimed to give enthusiasts a dependable option that could be enjoyed without the variability sometimes associated with hand‑rolled counterparts. The year 1989 thus marks the official debut of a cigar that would remain a steady presence for the next ten years.
Construction and Presentation
As a machine‑made cigar, the La Corona Coronas relied on automated manufacturing processes to achieve uniform dimensions and flavor delivery. This approach allowed for high-volume output while preserving the essential characteristics that define the La Corona taste. Each stick was fitted with the brand’s standard band A, a design that instantly communicates the cigar’s heritage to anyone familiar with Cuban cigars. The cigars were individually sleeved in cellophane to safeguard their integrity, and they were arranged in dress boxes holding 25 units—mirroring the packaging conventions favored by the island’s historic producers. The visual presentation was deliberately classic, emphasizing heritage over flamboyance.
Market Trajectory and Collectibility
For a decade, the Coronas maintained a spot in La Corona’s regular catalog, offering smokers a reliable smoke that balanced medium body with subtle complexity. The cigar’s presence on the market coincided with a period when Cuban factories were experimenting with both hand‑rolled and machine‑made formats to meet growing international demand. By 1999, however, shifts in consumer preferences and production strategies prompted La Corona to retire the Coronas from its lineup. Its discontinuation signaled the end of a particular chapter for the brand, and today the cigar is sought after by collectors who value its historical context and its embodiment of late‑20th‑century Cuban manufacturing.
Vitola Profile: The “Cremas” Corona
Inside the factory, the Coronas were identified under the vitola name Cremas. This designation brings together a set of precise measurements that define the cigar’s smoking experience. Below is a concise breakdown of the key specifications:
- Length: 140 mm (approximately 5½ inches)
- Ring Gauge: 40
- Official Weight: 8.11 g
- Construction: Machine‑made
- Band: Standard band A
- Packaging: Dress box of 25 cigars, each wrapped in cellophane
- Release Year: 1989
- Discontinuation: 1999
The dimensions place the Cremas firmly in the corona category, offering a smoking duration that allows the tobacco’s flavor nuances to develop gradually. The 40‑ring gauge provides a comfortable draw, while the 140‑mm length ensures a balanced session that is neither overly brief nor excessively long. At 8.11 g, the cigar strikes a harmonious weight that reflects its machine‑made construction without feeling under‑filled.
In summary, the La Corona Coronas (Cremas) encapsulates a distinct era of Cuban cigar production. From its debut in 1989 to its farewell in 1999, it delivered consistent quality, classic branding, and a straightforward smoking experience. Though no longer produced, it endures as a collector’s piece—a reminder of how machine‑made cigars once complemented the hand‑rolled masterpieces that continue to dominate the world’s imagination.