Trinidad
Trinidad is a high-value Cuban cigar house known for its refined, medium-bodied portfolio and its signature pigtail caps. Founded in 1969 as a private brand reserved exclusively for diplomatic gifts, it transitioned to commercial availability in 1997. Today, it stands as one of the premium global marques under Habanos S.A., producing elegant formats that appeal to serious collectors.
Trinidad Cigars: Cabildos
The diplomatic origins
Trinidad originated as a state secret of sorts. Established in 1969, the house spent its first three decades entirely absent from the public market. The Cuban government utilised the brand solely as a diplomatic gift for foreign dignitaries and heads of state. This exclusive status meant that for nearly thirty years, acquiring a Trinidad required direct connections to the highest levels of the administration.
In 1997, the house was finally commercialised, making its public debut with a single vitola: the Fundadores. This elegant lonsdale immediately established Trinidad as a premium offering alongside Cohiba. The portfolio expanded significantly in 2004 with the introduction of the Reyes, the Coloniales, and the Robustos Extra, allowing the house to cater to a broader range of smoking preferences while maintaining its strict quality standards.
The core range and signature vitolas
The modern Trinidad portfolio is firmly positioned as a medium-strength marque. The blends are precise, avoiding overpowering nicotine in favour of a balanced, aromatic profile. A visual hallmark of the brand is the pigtail cap, a feature present on all regular production formats. This traditional finishing technique requires highly skilled rollers, known as *torcedores*, and serves as a subtle indicator of the craftsmanship involved in the brand's production.
The Fundadores remains the historic centrepiece of the house. Rolled in the Laguito Especial vitola de galera, it measures 192mm by a slender 40 ring gauge. For many years, this classic lonsdale format defined the Trinidad smoking experience.
Adapting to contemporary preferences, the house has successfully introduced thicker ring gauges over the past decade. The Vigia, a petit robusto introduced in 2014, proved highly successful. This was followed by a major portfolio expansion in 2019, which saw the permanent addition of the Esmeralda (a robusto extra), the Media Luna (a petit robusto), and the Topes (a heavy 56 ring gauge robusto).
Trinidad Cigars: Reyes
Key vitolas and specifications
Fundadores — Vitola de Galera: Laguito Especial — Dimensions: 192mm × 40 — Format: Lonsdale — Introduced: 1997
Reyes — Vitola de Galera: Secretos — Dimensions: 110mm × 40 — Format: Petit Corona — Introduced: 2004
Coloniales — Vitola de Galera: Coloniales — Dimensions: 132mm × 44 — Format: Corona — Introduced: 2004
Vigia — Vitola de Galera: Torres — Dimensions: 110mm × 54 — Format: Petit Robusto — Introduced: 2014
Topes — Vitola de Galera: Topes — Dimensions: 125mm × 56 — Format: Robusto — Introduced: 2019
Media Luna — Vitola de Galera: Conchas No.2 — Dimensions: 115mm × 50 — Format: Petit Robusto — Introduced: 2019
Esmeralda — Vitola de Galera: Dinoras — Dimensions: 145mm × 53 — Format: Robusto Extra — Introduced: 2019
Robustos Extra — Vitola de Galera: Dobles — Dimensions: 155mm × 50 — Format: Robusto Extra — Introduced: 2004
Limited, regional and exclusive releases
Beyond its core range, Trinidad is frequently selected by Habanos S.A. for special productions. The house has featured prominently in the Edición Limitada series, with notable releases including the Ingenios in 2007, the Short Robusto T in 2010, the Topes in 2016, and the recent Cabildos Premier Edition in 2024.
The brand also appears in the prestigious Colección Habanos book humidors, such as the Torre Iznaga in 2006 and the Casilda in 2019. Furthermore, La Casa del Habano (LCDH) exclusives, such as the La Trova, offer collectors access to unique formats rolled with specially selected leaf. These limited productions often deviate slightly from the standard core profile and are highly prized in the secondary market.
Collecting, authenticity and box codes
Trinidad cigars require careful handling and controlled storage. Their medium-bodied blends often benefit considerably from ageing. Serious collectors typically rest young boxes for three to five years, allowing the volatile compounds to dissipate and the blend to integrate. Maintaining stable humidity and temperature is critical during this period.
When acquiring these cigars, verifying the box code and factory stamp is essential. The date stamp not only confirms the vintage but also provides insight into the necessary ageing timeline. Given the brand's premium status, it is a frequent target for counterfeiters. We strongly advise collectors to familiarise themselves with how to spot fake Cuban cigars. Sourcing English Market Selection (EMS) stock provides a reliable guarantee of authenticity, as these boxes have been independently inspected and cleared for the UK market.
At MokaCigar
Trinidad holds a central place in our humidors. We maintain rigorous standards for all boxes, verifying box codes and ensuring optimal storage conditions prior to dispatch. Our current holding includes core range classics such as the Fundadores, Vigia, Esmeralda, Media Luna, Topes, and Reyes. For collectors seeking aged or rare examples, we currently hold the Fundadores from a 2017 vintage, the La Trova LCDH, and Limited Editions including the Ingenios 2007, Topes 2016, and the highly anticipated Cabildos 2024 Premier Edition. Explore the full portfolio on our Trinidad brand page. ```
In our cellar
In stock now:
Sold-out archive (8 releases, enquiries welcome): Colección Habanos Trinidad Casilda 2019 (Habanos Collection), Colección Habanos Trinidad Torre Iznaga 2006 (Habanos Collection), Trinidad Coloniales, Trinidad Corcel Year of the Horse, Trinidad Robusto Extra Gift Box, Trinidad Robustos Extra 55th Anniversary, Trinidad Robustos T 2010, Trinidad Short Robusto T Limited Edition 2010.