Among the vast and storied landscape of Havana's tobacco exports, few releases capture the imagination of the modern connoisseur quite like the Quai d'Orsay Coronas Claro Claro. This particular cigar is not merely a smoking instrument; it serves as a historical marker for a bygone era of Cuban production. While the brand itself is recognized for its French heritage and distinct flavor profiles, this specific vitola stands out due to its relatively short lifespan and the specific visual characteristics that define it. For the serious collector, finding a well-preserved example of this discontinued stick is akin to uncovering a rare piece of art history.
The Production Timeline and Eventual Demise
The Coronas Claro Claro first emerged on the global market in 1974. During its inception, it was positioned as a core component of the Quai d'Orsay regular production lineup, intended for widespread consumption rather than niche collecting. For the first decade and a half, the cigar enjoyed a standard production run, representing the craftsmanship expected from the island's factories during that epoch.
However, the latter years of its existence told a different story. Beginning in the late 1980s, the availability of this specific size became increasingly unpredictable. Production schedules became erratic, a shift that often signals a brand is preparing to sunset a particular format or that raw materials for specific blends are becoming scarce. By 1995, the decision was made to cease production entirely. This discontinuation has transformed what was once a standard shelf item into a rare commodity, highly prized by those looking to complete vertical collections of the brand.
Understanding the "Claro Claro" Wrapper
The nomenclature used for this cigar provides the first clue regarding its unique identity. The repetition of the word "Claro" is significant; in the lexicon of cigar terminology, this designates an exceptionally light-hued wrapper leaf. Often referred to in the industry as "Double Claro" or sometimes the older term "Candela," this leaf is harvested before the plant reaches full maturity and then dried quickly to retain its pale, greenish-yellow tint.
This aesthetic choice results in a smoking experience that differs markedly from the darker, oilier maduro or natural wrappers common today. The pale wrapper typically suggests a milder flavor profile, often characterized by grassy, vegetal, and slightly sweet notes. Within the Quai d'Orsay family, this specific release offered a stark visual contrast to its darker siblings, making it instantly recognizable in a humidor.
Vitola Specifications
Adhering to the traditional standards of the era, the cigar was constructed completely by hand. It adheres to the classic "Coronas" vitola, a format revered for its balance and proportion. The technical specifications for this release are as follows:
- Factory Name: Coronas
- Dimensions: 142 mm (5⅝ inches) in length with a 42 ring gauge
- Weight: 9.29 grams
- Presentation: Standard Band A
- Packaging: Semi boîte nature boxes containing 25 cigars
With a ring gauge of 42, this size offers a smoking duration that typically ranges between 30 and 45 minutes, allowing the smoker to appreciate the nuances of the vintage tobacco without committing to a marathon session.
Collecting the Quai d'Orsay: A Puzzle of Nomenclature
For those fortunate enough to encounter a box of these cigars on the secondary market, the packaging presents a fascinating historical quirk. There is a notable discrepancy between the labeling on the box and the stamping found on the base. The exterior of the box prominently displays the name "Coronas," yet the bottom of the container is often stamped with the term "Clarisimo."
This duality in naming conventions is not entirely uncommon in the history of Cuban cigars, which often saw different factories or export markets utilizing varying terminology for the same product. For the collector, these details are crucial authentication points. The presence of the Standard Band A—the classic Quai d'Orsay livery featuring the Parisian bridge motif—further anchors the cigar in its specific timeframe. As the years pass since its 1995 retirement, the Coronas Claro Claro remains a definitive example of the "vintage" category, serving as a tangible link to the production styles and tastes of late 20th-century Cuba.