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Cohiba Panetelas, rolled in the Laguito No.3 size
Laguito No.3
The Laguito No.3 is a slender Cuban cigar format, classified in factories as a vitola de galera but commonly known to smokers as a Small Panetela. Measuring just 115 mm by a 26 ring gauge, it is one of the narrowest parejo shapes in the Habanos portfolio. Designed for a brief smoke, it delivers a concentrated wrapper profile in a delicate format.
Dimensions and Smoking Profile
The vitola de galera dictates the precise factory dimensions, whereas the vitola de salida refers to the commercial name printed on the box. At 115 mm (4 ½ inches) in length with a 26 ring gauge, the Laguito No.3 is exceptionally slim. This parejo (straight-sided) shape creates a specific smoking dynamic where the ratio of wrapper leaf to filler is high, meaning the characteristics of the outer leaf heavily influence the palate.
The draw requires a gentle approach from the smoker. Smoking too rapidly will overheat the cherry and turn the blend bitter, while pulling too hard may expose a tight draw—a natural risk when a torcedor works with such a narrow diameter. When paced correctly, the Laguito No.3 provides 20 to 30 minutes of direct, focused flavour.
Production and Houses
The format is closely associated with the El Laguito factory, which originated the slender sizes in the 1960s to showcase the finest wrapper leaves from Pinar del Río. Today, it remains active in regular production for two iconic houses. Cohiba uses this size for the Cohiba Panetelas, introduced in 1967 as part of the brand's original commercial launch. Montecristo adopted the shape shortly after in 1969 for the Montecristo Joyitas.
When comparing it to other sizes, the Laguito No.3 sits beneath its famous siblings, the Laguito No. 1 and Laguito No. 2. Both of those larger formats feature a thicker 38 ring gauge and a signature pigtail cap. The No.3 relies on a standard round cap and remains the slimmest of the trio, as well as one of the slimmest cigars still rolled by hand in Cuba.
Buying and Ageing Notes
Securing genuine boxes of these small vitolas requires attention to provenance. Always inspect the box codes to confirm the factory and year of production. For the UK market, the presence of an English Market Selection (EMS) stamp provides further reassurance against counterfeit Cuban cigars.
Storing these delicate cigars requires stable conditions. A strict 65% relative humidity prevents the narrow filler from swelling and obstructing the draw. With five or more years of rest, the Cohiba Panetelas and Montecristo Joyitas shed any youthful sharpness, leaving a refined and highly aromatic profile that appeals to serious collectors.
Specifications
Galera Name — Detail: Laguito No.3
Common Name — Detail: Small Panetela
Ring Gauge — Detail: 26
Length (mm) — Detail: 115 mm
Length (in) — Detail: 4 ½ inches
Shape — Detail: Parejo
Typical Smoking Time — Detail: 20–30 minutes
At MokaCigar
Our humidor periodically holds excellent examples of this format for collectors. We carry current and vintage production, including the classic Cohiba Panetelas. Our archive also occasionally features aged stock such as the Cohiba Panetelas 1997. You will find other Panetela-named cigars in our inventory, such as the Quintero Panetelas and the vintage Romeo y Julieta Panetelas - Box from 1991, though these utilise slightly different factory dimensions.