For the discerning aficionado, the allure of a discontinued Cuban cigar holds a distinct fascination, blending nostalgia with the appreciation of a bygone era of craftsmanship. Among these lost treasures is the Por Larrañaga Small Coronas, a cigar that once served as a cornerstone of one of Havana's most venerable brands. Known within the factory walls by the evocative name "Franciscanos," this vitola offered a smoking experience rooted in tradition. Though it has long since vanished from standard production lines, its legacy endures, representing a time when slender gauges and elegant dimensions were the benchmarks of Cuban cigar making.
The Dimensions of a Bygone Era
The Franciscanos was a study in classical proportions, adhering to a size that is increasingly rare in the modern marketplace. It was a fully handmade creation, a fact that distinguished it from the machine-made or hand-finished variants that often populate the smaller end of the size spectrum. The construction spoke to a dedication to quality that Por Larrañaga has maintained for nearly two centuries.
While contemporary trends often favor thick ring gauges, this cigar looked backward to a more refined standard. The technical specifications outline a format designed for balance and combustion rather than brute smoke volume:
- Vitola Name: Small Coronas (Factory name: Franciscanos)
- Dimensions: Length of 116 mm (4⅝ inches) with a Ring Gauge of 40
- Weight: Approximately 6.72 grams per unit
- Construction: Entirely handmade
The 40 ring gauge places this cigar firmly in the "corona" family, offering a higher ratio of wrapper leaf to filler. This ratio is often prized by enthusiasts for allowing the nuances of the tobacco blend to shine through with greater clarity, providing a flavor profile that can differ significantly from the heavier, darker smokes popular today.
Presentation and Packaging Variety
During its production lifespan, the brand offered the Small Coronas in several distinct formats, catering to a variety of purchasing habits. This flexibility in packaging suggests that the cigar was once a popular seller, intended for both casual enjoyment and longer-term aging. Collectors hunting for vintage boxes today might encounter three primary presentation styles.
The most utilitarian option was the cardboard pack, containing a modest selection of five cigars. This format was ideal for the smoker wishing to sample the vitola without committing to a full box. For the more dedicated connoisseur, the brand offered a standard dress box of 25 cigars, adorned with the iconic Por Larrañaga branding. Perhaps the most desirable for the tactile collector, however, is the slide lid box (SLB) of 25 cigars. This traditional form of packaging, with its distinctive sliding top, remains a favorite for those who appreciate the romanticism of classic Cuban presentation.
A Production History Spanning Decades
The history of the Small Coronas is inextricably linked to the pre-1960 golden age of Cuban tobacco. This was a vitola that survived the transition of the revolution, maintaining its place in the catalog through decades of social and economic change. Its origins trace back to a time when brand portfolios were vast and diverse, offering smokers a multitude of subtle variations on core themes.
However, the march of time eventually caught up with the Franciscanos. During the 1980s, the decision was made to discontinue the line. This era saw a contraction in the number of available sizes across the Cuban industry, as Habanos began to streamline its offerings to meet new global market demands. The discontinuation of the Small Coronas marked the end of the road for this specific configuration under the Por Larrañaga banner, turning existing stocks into instant collector's items.
The Millennium Revival
While the standard production of the Small Coronas ceased in the eighties, the vitola was granted a momentary reprieve at the turn of the millennium. Astute collectors should be aware of the Por Larrañaga Small Coronas Siglo XXI Millennium Humidor. This special edition release was created to celebrate the year 2000, serving as a tribute to the classic format.
This limited presentation was not merely a reprint of the old cigar but a curated homage to the brand's history. It allowed a new generation of smokers to experience the dimensions and character of the Franciscanos, albeit in a premium, limited format. Today, finding an original Small Coronas from the 1970s or the Millennium Humidor release is a challenge that requires patience and diligence. For those who manage to locate one, the smoke offers a window into the elegant, refined past of the Por Larrañaga marque.
