Exceptional in every Way.
Trinidad was established back in 1969 (there was a pre-Revolutionary Trinidad y Hermanos but it was unrelated to today’s superstar – nor it is in any way related to a non-Cuban brand of the same name), but only made commercially available in 1997, leading many to think it was brought in to be the next Cohiba.
Hardly surprising as it was also used for diplomatic gifts, though not by Fidel Castro. Basically, back then, if a diplomat was given a box of Trinidad and not Cohiba, it meant they liked them a lot but not that much! It is named after the famous, world-heritage-listed city of the same name.
These days, Trinidad is very much seen as its own brand. Originally, it was only rolled in one size: the long, slim Laguito. Now there are numerous sizes, though two of the more popular, Robusto T and Robusto Extra, were discontinued in 2012.
The superb Fundadores is the benchmark for Trinidad, but the recent release of a new cigar, La Trova, is challenging that. Yet, in typical fashion, it is shrouded in confusion.
Intended as a 2017 release, few saw any before 2018. Is it a one-off or will it be a regular production cigar? Depends who one speaks to, but at the moment, they are not easy to find. So if you do come across a box, grab it.
Who knows if or when you’ll get another chance. Otherwise, speak to the finest retailers (originally, the release was limited to eight of the very top establishments in the Asia-Pacific region, but apparently this was expanded to more than 145 stores around the globe) you can find and implore them to open their vaults.
Price? Not cheap, but with cigars so dependent on national taxes and on supply, there is little point in suggesting a specific amount. It will vary wildly. They come in boxes of 12.
La Trova was released as part of the La Casa del Habano program, and so were originally limited to specifically-designated retailers. The technical details are that the cigar has a 52 mm ring gauge and a length of 166 mm. Handmade, of course, La Trova cigars are described as “Totalmente a Mano con Tripa Larga” (“totally handmade with long filler”).
The tobacco comes from the famous Vuelta Abajo region in Pinar del Río, considered the finest tobacco-growing district on the planet. These are cigars that ideally fit the current demand for large format and especially large ring gauges. They are known as double robusto (Cañonazo Especial) and are rolled at the Francisco Donatién Factory in Pinar del Río.
The Cañonazo Especial vitola has only previously been used for the famous 2011 Limited Edition, Cohiba 1966, now a legendary cigar. Trinidad has gone heavy on the large ring gauges with both the Vigía (54 ring gauge) and Topes Edición Limitada 2016 (56 ring gauge), although the famous Fundadores is anything but.
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