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Diplomáticos
Diplomáticos: Brand History, Core Range and Regional Releases: Diplomaticos No 2
Diplomáticos is a Cuban cigar house established in 1966 by Habanos S.A., initially conceived as a more accessible counterpart to the Montecristo portfolio. Today, it stands as a compact, medium-to-full strength brand highly regarded by serious collectors for its distinctive blending and limited production. The marque is celebrated both for its constrained core range and its frequent selection for large-format regional editions.
History and evolution
The brand was established in 1966, distinguishing it as one of the earliest post-revolutionary marques created by Habanos S.A. Initially, it was conceived to serve the French market as a counterpart to the formidable Montecristo line. To achieve this, the initial portfolio directly mirrored Montecristo's numerical naming convention and sizes, offering the Diplomáticos No. 1 through No. 5. The presentation was distinctive, featuring a classic yellow box adorned with a diplomatic carriage, an image that remains unchanged today.
Over the decades, shifting global preferences and a corporate strategy of portfolio rationalisation led to a gradual reduction of the core line. The smaller numerical sizes were phased out entirely by the early 2000s. This reduction transformed the marque from a broad, accessible alternative into a focused, niche house intended for serious collectors.
The core range
Today, the regular production line is heavily constrained but highly respected. For many years, the portfolio was anchored solely by the Diplomáticos No. 2. Introduced in 1966, this is a classic pirámides measuring 156 mm (6.14") with a 52 ring gauge. While it shares the exact dimensions of the Montecristo No. 2, it delivers a distinct medium-to-full profile. Collectors often note it possesses a slightly more direct spice and less tannic astringency in its youth compared to its sibling.
In 2025, Habanos S.A. expanded the regular production for the first time in decades with the introduction of the Cancilleres. This release is a robusto in the centro fino format, measuring 130 mm (5.12") by a 50 ring gauge. Presented as a parejo, it caters to the modern preference for shorter, thicker cigars while maintaining the house's traditional blend characteristics. Both the No. 2 and the Cancilleres are exclusively packaged in 25-count dress boxes, adhering strictly to the brand's historical aesthetic.
Regional and special releases
While the standard catalogue is small, the house is disproportionately represented in the Edición Regional programme. Distributors worldwide frequently select Diplomáticos for their regional exclusives, capitalising on the brand's excellent blending potential in larger formats. This frequent selection has cemented the brand's reputation among global collectors.
Notable regional releases include the highly sought-after Bushido (Edición Regional Asia Pacifico 2015), which utilised the rare 109 vitola with its signature tapered drop head. The Middle Eastern market has seen substantial releases, such as the Ammunition (Phoenicia 2018) and the Genios (Phoenicia 2023). Cuba itself has embraced the brand for local exclusives, notably the Excelencia in 2015 and the Leal in 2021, which was ultimately released in 2024.
The brand also occasionally features in prestigious aged collections. A prime example is the Hunters & Frankau House Reserve, which recently offered deeply aged stocks of the discontinued No. 1 from 2003, re-released in 2019 for the UK market.
Procurement and ageing
Procuring Diplomáticos requires attention to provenance, particularly given the rarity of its regional editions and the high demand for the No. 2. Buyers must always verify the cigar box codes and carefully inspect the standard Cuban warranty seals. Because older, discontinued stock such as the No. 4 and No. 6 frequently circulates in the secondary market, knowing how to spot fake Cuban cigars is essential.
For collectors in the UK, sourcing boxes with the English Market Selection (EMS) stamp provides a significant advantage. The EMS designation ensures the boxes have been opened, inspected for quality, and subjected to a rigorous freezing process by Hunters & Frankau to eliminate tobacco beetles before distribution.
The medium-to-full blend of this house provides an excellent structure for long-term maturation. The thick wrapper leaf and robust filler tobaccos require time to integrate. The No. 2 typically requires five to seven years in a stable, temperature-controlled humidor to shed its youthful sharpness. Over a decade, these cigars often develop a refined, rounded character, replacing overt spice with complex, deep tobacco flavours.
Key specifications
Diplomáticos No. 2 — Vitola de Galera: Pirámides — Length: 156 mm (6.14") — Ring Gauge: 52 — Status: Regular Production
Cancilleres — Vitola de Galera: Centro Fino — Length: 130 mm (5.12") — Ring Gauge: 50 — Status: Regular Production
Diplomáticos No. 1 — Vitola de Galera: Cervantes — Length: 165 mm (6.50") — Ring Gauge: 42 — Status: Discontinued
Diplomáticos No. 4 — Vitola de Galera: Marevas — Length: 129 mm (5.08") — Ring Gauge: 42 — Status: Discontinued
Genios (RE Phoenicia) — Vitola de Galera: Genios — Length: 150 mm (5.91") — Ring Gauge: 52 — Status: Regional Edition
Bushido (RE Asia Pacifico) — Vitola de Galera: 109 — Length: 184 mm (7.24") — Ring Gauge: 50 — Status: Regional Edition
Leal (RE Cuba) — Vitola de Galera: Duke — Length: 140 mm (5.51") — Ring Gauge: 54 — Status: Regional Edition
At MokaCigar
We maintain a closely inspected selection of Diplomáticos, focusing on rare regional editions and aged boxes where provenance is absolute. Our current holdings include the Genios Edición Regional Phoenicia 2023, the Leal Edición Regional Cuba 2021, and the El Emisario Edición Regional Suiza 2021. For our current inventory of both standard production and vintage releases, browse the Diplomáticos collection.
In our cellar
In stock now:
Sold-out archive (9 releases, enquiries welcome): Diplomaticos Ammunition RE Phoenicia 2018, Diplomaticos Bushido Edición Regional Asia Pacifico 2015, Diplomaticos Excelencia RE Cuba 2015, Diplomaticos Grandes ER Alemania 2021 (Germany), Diplomaticos No.1 Hunters & Frankau House Reserve 2003/2019, Diplomaticos No.2, Diplomaticos No.2 2000 - Singles, Diplomaticos No.4 2007, Diplomaticos No.6 1970s.