Juan López
Founded in 1870, Juan López is a historic Cuban cigar brand known today for its highly focused portfolio of medium-to-full strength Habanos. Currently owned by Habanos S.A., the house maintains a smaller profile compared to the major global names, producing just two regular-production vitolas that are prized by serious collectors. It remains a definitive example of traditional Cuban blending, offering a robust and structured smoke for those who seek out classic formats.
Juan López: Juan Lopez Seleccion No 1
A Historic Niche House
Despite its origins dating back to the late nineteenth century, Juan López has historically maintained a discreet presence in the cigar world. The brand does not rely on extensive marketing or a sprawling catalogue of formats. Instead, it operates as a specialist house, quietly sustaining a dedicated following among smokers who prefer depth and consistency over variety.
This restrained approach allows the factory to maintain strict quality control over its limited output. The cigars are crafted entirely by hand using long filler leaves sourced directly from the Vuelta Abajo region. This commitment to traditional methods ensures that the core blend remains faithful to its historical roots, providing a reliable and unbroken lineage to Cuban cigar making of the past century.
The Core Range
The contemporary regular-production lines of Juan López are intentionally compact. At the centre of the portfolio is the Selección No. 1, a classic Coronas Gordas. Measuring 143 millimetres in length with a 46 ring gauge, this format provides a steady, measured draw that allows the medium-to-full blend to develop gradually. It is a vitola that rewards careful smoking, often cited by collectors as a benchmark for the format.
Alongside it sits the Selección No. 2, a robusto introduced to capture the modern preference for thicker ring gauges. At 124 millimetres long and carrying a 50 ring gauge, the No. 2 delivers a more immediate concentration of flavour. Both cigars have been consistent fixtures since the 1990s and are typically presented in traditional twenty-five-count dress boxes. The profile is characterised by an earthy core, supported by notes of wood and a controlled spice that never turns harsh.
Juan López: Juan Lopez Seleccion No 2
Regional and Limited Releases
While the standard catalogue is minimal, Juan López is frequently chosen as the foundation for Edición Regional releases. Regional distributors often select the brand when they wish to commission a vitola that falls outside the standard Cuban sizes. This practice has generated some of the most sought-after boxes on the secondary market.
In the United Kingdom, the Selección Suprema from 2009 and the Selección Superba from 2016 remain highly regarded among collectors. France received the Dom Juan 1622 in 2022, while the Adon was released as a regional exclusive for Lebanon in 2021. Furthermore, the house commemorated a significant milestone with the Selección Especial, created exclusively for La Casa del Habano (LCDH) franchises to mark the 150th anniversary of the brand. These rare releases demonstrate the versatility of the Juan López blend when applied to larger or unconventional formats.
Sourcing, Authentication and Maturation
Procuring Juan López cigars requires attention to detail, as production volumes are lower than those of the major global brands. Collectors should always check the box code to understand the exact factory and month of production. Because the brand is occasionally targeted by counterfeiters, familiarising oneself with how to spot fake Cuban cigars is essential, particularly when acquiring older regional editions.
In the UK, securing boxes that carry the English Market Selection (EMS) mark provides an important guarantee of quality and correct transit storage. Once sourced, both the Selección No. 1 and No. 2 are prime candidates for long-term resting. The medium-to-full blend can be quite direct in its youth. Laying down a cabinet in a well-maintained humidor for five to eight years allows the sharper edges to recede, yielding a highly integrated, sophisticated smoke.
Key Vitolas
Selección No. 1 — Format Type: Coronas Gordas — Length (mm): 143 — Ring Gauge: 46 — Market Status: Regular Production
Selección No. 2 — Format Type: Robustos — Length (mm): 124 — Ring Gauge: 50 — Market Status: Regular Production
Selección Suprema — Format Type: UK Regional 2009 — Length (mm): - — Ring Gauge: - — Market Status: Limited Edition
Selección Superba — Format Type: UK Regional 2016 — Length (mm): - — Ring Gauge: - — Market Status: Limited Edition
Dom Juan 1622 — Format Type: France Regional 2022 — Length (mm): - — Ring Gauge: - — Market Status: Limited Edition
Adon — Format Type: Lebanon Regional 2021 — Length (mm): - — Ring Gauge: - — Market Status: Limited Edition
Selección Especial — Format Type: LCDH 150 Aniversario — Length (mm): - — Ring Gauge: - — Market Status: Limited Edition
At MokaCigar
We routinely inspect and source boxes of Juan López for our humidors, carefully checking the box codes and ensuring correct storage before making them available. Our current inventory holds the classic Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 2 from the regular production line, alongside rare specialist boxes such as the Juan Lopez Seleccion Especial Cigar LCDH 150 Aniversario. When the market allows, we also secure rested stock of out-of-production regional editions, including the UK Regional Selección Suprema and the Adon for Lebanon, which are offered to our clients once fully verified. To view our active holdings and secure boxes for your own collection, visit the Juan López brand page.
In our cellar
In stock now:
Sold-out archive (8 releases, enquiries welcome): Juan Lopez Adon Regional Edition Libano 2021, Juan Lopez Dom Juan 1622 ER Francia 2022, Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 1, Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 2 Wooden Gift Box, Juan Lopez Seleccion Superba UK Regional 2016, Juan Lopez Seleccion Suprema UK Regional 2009, Juan Lopez Seleccion Suprema UK Regional 2009 Hunters & Frankau House Reserve 2010/2021, Juan Lopez Seleccion Suprema UK Regional 2009 Hunters & Frankau House Reserve 2010/2021.