Añejados
Añejados (Spanish for "aged") denotes a specific Habanos S.A. programme introduced in 2015, in which selected Cuban cigars are aged in their original boxes in Cuba for a minimum of five years before release. This extended resting period allows the tobacco blend to integrate fully over time. The resulting cigars offer a more refined, settled smoking profile compared to standard current-production releases.
What it means
The Añejados programme represents an official approach to vintage cigars by Habanos S.A. Rather than leaving the ageing process entirely to the consumer or the merchant, these cigars are kept in strictly climate-controlled conditions in Havana. Because they are aged in their cedar boxes, the cigars slowly exchange characteristics with the wood and with each other.
When they are deemed ready for market, the boxes are carefully opened and checked by quality control personnel. The approved cigars are then dressed with a secondary band bearing the word "Añejados" before being repacked for global distribution.
Programme Launch — Detail: 2015
Minimum Ageing — Detail: 5 years
Location of Ageing — Detail: Cuba
Banding — Detail: Standard brand band + secondary Añejados band
Box Markings — Detail: Original date stamp + "Revisado" stamp
Why it matters when buying
When acquiring vintage Cuban cigars, provenance and verification are paramount. The Añejados programme provides a guaranteed minimum age directly from the manufacturer. For collectors in the UK, purchasing an EMS (English Market Selection) Añejados release ensures the cigars have been imported through official channels and subjected to rigorous checks.
To verify an Añejados box, collectors should inspect the bottom of the cabinet or dress box. It must feature the original box code showing the year of production, which will be at least five years prior to the release date. Crucially, there must also be a "Revisado" (revised or checked) stamp, indicating that the box was opened, the cigars individually inspected, and the secondary bands applied. If any of these stamps are missing, illegible, or inconsistent, it raises concerns covered in our guide on how to spot fake Cuban cigars.
Related terms
Ageing
Box code
At MokaCigar
Every Añejados box we acquire undergoes strict verification, checking the original date codes, the Revisado stamps, and the condition of the wrappers. We store all vintage stock in our climate-controlled humidors in London to ensure optimal preservation before sale. You can view our verified vintage and aged stock directly in the MokaCigar shop.