Cremas
The Cremas is a classic Cuban cigar size, measuring 140 mm by a 40 ring gauge, and is commonly known as a Corona in factory parlance. In the Habanos system, the vitola de galera denotes the exact factory dimensions, whereas the vitola de salida is the commercial name printed on the box. This slender, straight-sided format provides a direct and focused expression of a blender's chosen leaves.
H. Upmann Majestic, rolled in the Cremas size
Dimensions and Construction
A parejo with a flat head, the Cremas is slightly slimmer than a standard Corona, which typically holds a 42 ring gauge. The 40 ring gauge restricts the amount of filler leaf the roller can insert, requiring precise construction to avoid a tight draw. When rolled correctly, this slender gauge concentrates the heat near the wrapper and binder, resulting in a smoke that emphasises the distinctive flavour profile of the wrapper leaf.
Notable Marcas and Current Production
Several historic houses utilise the Cremas vitola for their regular production lines. It is a staple within the H. Upmann portfolio, presented as the Majestic, and in the Hoyo de Monterrey range as the Palmas Extra. Partagás employs the format for both the Partagás de Luxe and the Super Partagás. Romeo y Julieta uses the size for its Romeo No.1, and the format is also found in the Quintero Brevas.
Smoking Profile and Comparisons
A Cremas generally offers a smoking time of 40 to 50 minutes. The draw should be clean but with slight resistance, standard for a ring gauge under 42. In comparison to a Mareva (42 x 129 mm), the Cremas offers a longer smoking duration and a slightly cooler burn towards the final third due to the extra length. Against a traditional Corona (42 x 142 mm), the Cremas is noticeably slimmer in hand, yielding a slightly sharper, more wrapper-dominant profile.
Buying and Ageing Notes
Due to the thinner ring gauge, Cremas cigars respond well to long-term ageing. The tightly packed tobaccos marry slowly, often requiring three to five years to shed their initial tannins and reach optimal balance. When purchasing boxes, inspect the box code to ascertain the date and factory of production. As always with Cuban cigars, look for the English Market Selection (EMS) stamp when buying in the UK, which guarantees the cigars have passed quality control. Proper storage at 65% relative humidity is essential to prevent the wrapper from splitting over time.
Specifications
Galera Name — Detail: Cremas
Common Name — Detail: Corona
Ring Gauge — Detail: 40
Length (mm) — Detail: 140 mm
Length (inches) — Detail: 5 ½ inches
Shape — Detail: Parejo
Typical Smoking Time — Detail: 40–50 minutes
At MokaCigar
We regularly source Cremas vitolas from official UK distributors, bearing the EMS stamp for quality assurance. You can browse our current inventory, including the H.Upmann Majestic, on the H. Upmann brand page and across our wider collection.