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La Flor de Cano
La Flor de Cano: Elegidos
Founded in 1884, La Flor de Cano is one of the more historic Cuban cigar houses still active today. Currently managed by Habanos S.A., it operates as a smaller marque with a highly focused regular production that appeals to those who appreciate a medium-strength profile. Beyond its core catalogue, the house is highly regarded by collectors for its frequent appearances in regional and tactical releases across the global market.
History and Market Position
Established late in the nineteenth century, La Flor de Cano was originally a family-run enterprise that built its reputation on producing consistent, accessible cigars. Over the decades, the Cuban cigar industry has undergone significant rationalisation, and many historic marques have seen their portfolios reduced. Today, La Flor de Cano occupies a specific, specialised tier within the Habanos catalogue.
Rather than competing with the global powerhouses on volume or variety, it offers a small, carefully curated selection of vitolas. This scarcity of regular-production shapes makes the brand an interesting proposition, preserving a heritage name for smokers who prefer an approachable, medium-bodied Cuban tobacco blend.
The Core Range
The regular-production portfolio of La Flor de Cano currently rests on a very restricted number of lines, entirely classified as medium in strength. These cigars are considered excellent choices for daytime smoking or for those seeking an introduction to Cuban tobacco without the heavy concentration found in bolder marques.
The Elegidos was introduced to the regular-production catalogue in 2020. Rolled in the Lirios vitola de galera—measuring 127 mm (5.0 inches) in length by a 50 ring gauge—it provides a standard robusto format that has become the modern industry preference. It is presented in classic paper-lithographed dress boxes of 25 cigars, offering a steady, cool combustion over roughly forty-five minutes.
The Petit Coronas has been a continuous mainstay of the portfolio since 2002. This cigar is rolled in the Standard vitola de galera, which measures 123 mm (4.84 inches) by a 40 ring gauge. As a classic petit corona, it provides a shorter, more concentrated smoking experience. It is available in traditional dress boxes of 25, as well as in smaller cardboard packs of five cigars, which are highly convenient for travel or brief engagements.
La Flor de Cano: Selectos No 3
Regional and Tactical Releases
While the regular production is highly concentrated, La Flor de Cano has found a prominent second life through the Edición Regional programme. Because the standard portfolio is small, the brand is frequently selected by regional distributors who wish to commission unique sizes for their specific markets.
These tactical releases allow distributors to revive discontinued classic vitolas or to introduce heavy ring gauge formats under a historic name. For collectors, a regional La Flor de Cano is often highly sought after, as it provides a rare opportunity to experience the brand’s distinct medium-strength blend in formats that are otherwise entirely absent from the standard catalogue.
Provenance and the English Market Selection
When acquiring cigars from smaller production houses, verifying authenticity is critical. Every box of La Flor de Cano must bear the standard Habanos seals and the Cuban government warranty stamp. For buyers in the United Kingdom, boxes imported through the official distributor will feature the English Market Selection (EMS) stamp.
This mark confirms that the cigars have been physically inspected for quality upon arrival in the UK and that the correct domestic duties have been paid. Collectors value the EMS stamp as an additional guarantee of provenance and condition. For further guidance on identifying genuine products, readers may consult our advice on how to spot fake Cuban cigars.
Box Codes and Ageing Potential
Serious collectors always check the factory and date stamp printed on the underside of the box. This code indicates the specific facility where the cigars were rolled and the exact month and year of packaging. Understanding these stamps is crucial for those looking to age their cigars. For more detail on decoding these stamps, consult our cigar box code guide.
Like all premium handmade cigars, La Flor de Cano releases require careful storage in a climate-controlled humidor. We recommend maintaining a relative humidity of 65 to 68 per cent and a temperature of approximately 16 to 18 degrees Celsius.
The medium strength of the blend means that these cigars benefit greatly from three to five years of rest. Ageing allows the younger tobaccos to integrate, softening any initial sharpness and encouraging the more subtle, woody, and floral notes characteristic of the brand to come forward.
Key Vitolas Specifications
Elegidos — Vitola de Galera: Lirios — Length (mm): 127 — Length (inches): 5.0 — Ring Gauge: 50 — Shape: Parejo
Petit Coronas — Vitola de Galera: Standard — Length (mm): 123 — Length (inches): 4.84 — Ring Gauge: 40 — Shape: Parejo
At MokaCigar
We monitor the limited allocations of La Flor de Cano carefully to supply our clients. When available, we offer the regular-production Elegidos in standard dress boxes. Furthermore, we actively acquire sought-after regional releases as they enter the market, such as the La Flor de Cano Selectos No.3 UK Regional Edition 2023. To view our current holdings, secure a specific box, and explore the house further, please visit our La Flor de Cano page.
In our cellar
In stock now:
Sold-out archive (5 releases, enquiries welcome): Flor De Cano Grandiosos Asia Pacific Regional Edition 2013, Flor de Cano Diademas 1991, Flor de Cano Gran Cano UK Regional 2013, Flor de Cano Short Robusto UK Regional 2010, La Flor de Cano Elegidos.