El Rey del Mundo
Founded in 1882, El Rey del Mundo is a historic Habanos brand known for lighter, elegant cigars and a very small current-production portfolio. Once positioned as the absolute pinnacle of Havana cigar manufacturing, the house—whose name translates to "The King of the World"—has maintained a dedicated following among collectors who prefer nuance and refinement over raw strength. Produced in Cuba under the ownership of Habanos S.A., the marque remains active today, balancing a minimal regular-production catalogue with a strong presence in the Edición Regional programme.
El Rey del Mundo: Choix Supreme
History and House Profile
The origins of El Rey del Mundo date back to the late nineteenth century, a period of rapid expansion for the Cuban cigar industry. At the height of its early prominence, the brand commanded exceptional prestige, known for securing the finest tobacco from the Vuelta Abajo region.
Over the decades, the portfolio evolved, eventually settling into the light-strength category under modern Habanos classifications. This lighter profile avoids the heavy earth and intense pepper associated with stronger marques, focusing instead on delicate floral notes, sweet cedar, and honeyed characteristics. Such an approach demands high-quality construction and careful blending, as lighter tobaccos leave little room to hide harshness or inconsistencies. Consequently, the house appeals to serious smokers seeking an elegant, unhurried morning or early afternoon cigar.
The Regular Production Core Range
The contemporary El Rey del Mundo regular-production core range is highly focused, consisting of just two active vitolas. This streamlining reflects a broader industry trend toward larger ring gauges and stronger blends, leaving this historic house as a specialised option for traditionalists.
The flagship of the permanent portfolio is the Choix Suprême. Classified as a Hermosos No.4, this corona extra measures 127 mm (5.0 inches) with a 48 ring gauge. It is presented in traditional 25-count dress boxes. The Choix Suprême consistently delivers the quintessential house style: approachably light, meticulously balanced, and capable of significant evolution with age.
Accompanying the Choix Suprême is the Demi Tasse. This Entreactos vitola, a small panetela measuring 100 mm (3.94 inches) by a 30 ring gauge, provides a concentrated expression of the El Rey del Mundo blend. It is designed for shorter smoking windows without compromising the elegance expected from the brand. Historically offered in both 25-count dress boxes and smaller 5-count cardboard packs, the Demi Tasse remains a reference point for small-format Cuban cigars.
El Rey del Mundo: Demi Tasse
Regional Editions and Specialist Releases
While the core range is small, El Rey del Mundo frequently appears in the Edición Regional and La Casa del Habano (LCDH) specialist programmes. Distributors globally select the brand to create exclusive, limited-production cigars, often reviving classic formats or introducing elegant new shapes.
The UK market, overseen by Hunters & Frankau, has seen several notable releases bearing the EMS mark. These include the Choix de L'Epoque (2009) and the highly regarded La Reina (2018), a slender Laguito No.1 that perfectly complements the light house blend.
Other distributors have been equally active. Notable regional editions include the Infantes (Cuba, 2013), the Petit Cayo (Andorra, 2018), the W.I.H (Lebanon, 2018), the L'Epoque (France, 2020), and the Templarios (Portugal, 2021). The brand has also been used for large, imposing formats, such as the Kon Tiki 109 produced for the Los Andes region. For the global LCDH network, Habanos S.A. released the Royal Series, offering the marque in a modern, heavy ring gauge format while attempting to retain its characteristic lightness.
Vintage examples further demonstrate the historical breadth of the brand. Cigars such as the Perfectos Tejedores from the 1950s, Cabinet Selection Elegantes from the mid-1960s, and the Tainos (a classic Julieta No.2 discontinued in the early 2000s) remain highly prized at auction and within private collections.
Sourcing, Authentication, and Ageing
When acquiring El Rey del Mundo, whether current production or vintage, verifying authenticity is critical. Collectors must carefully check the cigar box code and the factory date stamp on the base of the box. These codes provide essential provenance and guide the ageing process.
Due to their light profile, these cigars benefit immensely from careful, long-term maturation. While a Choix Suprême can be enjoyed young, allowing the cigars to rest for five to eight years in a stable, temperature-controlled environment will yield a far more integrated and complex smoking experience. The delicate floral and sweet notes deepen, while any youthful edge in the tobacco softens entirely.
For buyers in the UK, sourcing boxes with the official English Market Selection stamp ensures the cigars have passed stringent import checks. However, when purchasing regional editions from other territories or acquiring discontinued stock on the secondary market, it is essential to understand how to spot fake Cuban cigars to protect your investment.
Key Vitolas
Choix Suprême — Vitola de Galera: Hermosos No.4 — Length: 127 mm (5.0") — Ring Gauge: 48 — Shape: Parejo
Demi Tasse — Vitola de Galera: Entreactos — Length: 100 mm (3.94") — Ring Gauge: 30 — Shape: Parejo
La Reina (UK Regional 2018) — Vitola de Galera: Laguito No.1 — Length: 192 mm (7.5") — Ring Gauge: 38 — Shape: Parejo
Tainos — Vitola de Galera: Julieta No.2 — Length: 178 mm (7.0") — Ring Gauge: 47 — Shape: Parejo
Royal Series (LCDH) — Vitola de Galera: Dobles — Length: 155 mm (6.1") — Ring Gauge: 50 — Shape: Parejo
Choix de L'Epoque (UK Reg. 2009) — Vitola de Galera: Petit Edmundo — Length: 110 mm (4.3") — Ring Gauge: 52 — Shape: Parejo
At MokaCigar
Our approach to El Rey del Mundo involves careful sourcing and verification of both the current core range and rare, discontinued releases. We inspect all box codes and ensure strict condition and storage standards before any cigar is offered to our clients. At present, our inventory holds the highly regarded El Rey Del Mundo La Reina UK Regional 2018. To view our current stock, verify availability, or acquire these cigars for your collection, visit the El Rey del Mundo shop page.
In our cellar
In stock now:
Sold-out archive (13 releases, enquiries welcome): El Rey Del Mundo Cabinet Selection Elegantes Mid 1960s, El Rey Del Mundo Choix Supreme, El Rey Del Mundo Choix de L'Epoque UK Regional 2009 - EMS, El Rey Del Mundo Demi Tasse, El Rey Del Mundo Infantes Cuba Regional Edition 2013, El Rey Del Mundo Kon Tiki 109 ER Los Andes, El Rey Del Mundo L'Epoque RE Francia 2020, El Rey Del Mundo Perfectos Tejedores 1950s, El Rey Del Mundo Petit Cayo Andorra Regional Edition 2018, El Rey Del Mundo Tainos 2001, El Rey Del Mundo Templarios ER Portugal 2021, El Rey Del Mundo W.I.H Lebanon (Libano) Regional Edition 2018, and more.