Originales

The Originales is a contemporary Cuban cigar format that first appeared in the Habanos portfolio in 2021. Commonly grouped under the Robusto category, this vitola measures 125 mm (4 ⅞ inches) with a heavy 54 ring gauge. This short, thick parejo provides the modern smoker with a cool draw and a high volume of smoke over a 45-minute sitting.

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.3, rolled in the Originales size

The Vitola de Galera

In Cuban cigar manufacturing, the vitola de galera refers to the exact factory dimensions and shape rolled by the torcedor, whereas the vitola de salida is the commercial name printed on the box. The Originales is a straight-sided parejo. While the factory classifies it as an Originales, retailers and smokers generally refer to it as a heavy Robusto.

Its 54 ring gauge allows the master blenders to include a substantial proportion of filler leaves (tripa). This construction naturally cools the smoke as it travels through the barrel, preventing the blend from overheating even when drawn with frequency. The 125 mm length ensures the progression of flavour is immediate, skipping the slow build-up associated with longer formats.

Houses and Marcas

The Originales is a recent addition to the Habanos repertoire, created to satisfy the preference for heavy ring gauge cigars. It is currently found in two major regular production lines.

Montecristo introduced the Originales to the market in 2021 as the Wide Edmundo. This cigar expands on the brand's successful Edmundo line, offering the signature medium-to-full Montecristo profile in a wider format.

The following year, Hoyo de Monterrey adopted the Originales for its Epicure No.3, released in 2022. This addition to the Epicure series maintains the light, aromatic characteristics of the house while delivering a denser smoke output than the classic Epicure No.2.

Buying and Ageing Notes

As with all large ring gauge Habanos, cigars in the Originales format require careful attention to storage. A 54 ring gauge contains considerable moisture upon leaving the factory, meaning they often benefit from three to five years of ageing to reach their initial peak. We recommend resting them in a stable humidor environment at 65% relative humidity to ensure a reliable burn.

When sourcing these cigars, collectors should inspect the factory box codes to verify the production date. Boxes imported into the UK should also carry the EMS (English Market Selection) stamp, guaranteeing they have passed quality control and duty protocols.

Specifications

At MokaCigar

Our London humidor frequently holds the Originales format for immediate dispatch or collection. We currently stock the Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure No.3, while the Montecristo Wide Edmundo remains a highly sought-after alternative when allocations arrive. All stock is carefully inspected, EMS-stamped, and stored in our climate-controlled environment. You can explore these and other formats on our Hoyo de Monterrey and Montecristo shop pages.

Questions collectors ask

+ What is the smoking time of an Originales cigar?

+ Is the Originales a regular production size?

+ How does the Originales compare to a standard Robusto?