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H. Upmann Half Corona, rolled in the Half Corona size
Half Corona
The Half Corona is a short, stout Cuban cigar format, classified within the factories as a vitola de galera of the same name. Commonly referred to by smokers as a Petit Corona, it measures exactly 90 mm (3 ½ inches) in length with a 44 ring gauge. This parejo shape was designed to offer a complete Habanos profile in a brief smoking window.
Understanding the factory size
In Cuban cigar manufacturing, the vitola de galera dictates the exact physical dimensions rolled on the factory floor, while the vitola de salida is the commercial name printed on the box. The Half Corona format is relatively modern in the current Habanos portfolio, standardising the dimensions of a short, thick smoke for contemporary habits.
The 44 ring gauge allows the torcedor to include a representative blend of seco, volado, and ligero leaves. This ensures that the cigar draws well and delivers the full character of its respective house without the harshness sometimes associated with very thin, short formats.
Notable Half Corona releases
Currently, two prominent houses utilise this exact factory size for regular production cigars. H. Upmann introduced their Half Corona in 2011, establishing the modern popularity of the size. Four years later, Montecristo adopted the dimensions for their Media Corona in 2015.
Both cigars are rolled to the 90 mm by 44 ring gauge specification, yet they express their respective brand identities clearly. The H. Upmann offers the light-to-medium, herbaceous profile expected of the marque, while the Montecristo delivers the signature medium-full, tangy notes of its larger siblings.
Smoking characteristics and comparison
Due to its short length, the Half Corona requires careful pacing. A rapid smoking cadence will overheat the cherry, muting the blend's complexity and introducing bitterness. When drawn slowly, it typically provides a smoking time of 20 to 30 minutes.
Compared to the Minutos factory size (110 mm by 42 ring gauge), the Half Corona is shorter but slightly thicker, allowing for a cooler draw. It provides a more concentrated experience than the standard Marevas (129 mm by 42 ring gauge), which is the benchmark size for a traditional Petit Corona.
Collecting and storage
When acquiring Half Coronas, verifying the factory date stamp on the bottom of the box is advised. You can read more about interpreting these stamps in our cigar box code guide. As with all Cuban cigars imported to the UK, look for the English Market Selection (EMS) label as an initial mark of provenance and quality control.
Short formats are often smoked young, but they benefit notably from resting in a controlled humidor. Storing these cigars at 62–65% relative humidity for three to five years allows the concentrated tobaccos to integrate. Ensure you consult our guide on how to spot fake Cuban cigars when purchasing aged stock on the secondary market.
Specifications
Vitola de Galera — Detail: Half Corona
Common Name — Detail: Petit Corona
Length (Metric) — Detail: 90 mm
Length (Imperial) — Detail: 3 ½ inches
Ring Gauge — Detail: 44
Shape — Detail: Parejo
Typical Smoking Time — Detail: 20–30 minutes
At MokaCigar
At MokaCigar, we cater to collectors seeking both modern short smokes and classic Corona formats. While the Half Corona factory size focuses on brief durations, our Bolivar portfolio currently holds stock of the Bolivar Royal Coronas for those desiring a wider ring gauge. We also maintain archival listings for related formats, including the Bolivar Petit Coronas and Bolivar Coronas Junior. For clients interested in rare or aged slender shapes, we periodically source limited stock such as the Cohiba Coronas Especiales 2015 and 2016 releases. Please contact us to discuss current availability and box dates for your collection.