El Rey Del Mundo Libano Regional W.I.H. 20 Cigar Review

El Rey Del Mundo isn’t the first name that comes to mind when you think of Cuban cigars, but in the annals of cigar history, it was once the most expensive and prestigious cigar name to come out of Cuba. Thought to have been founded in 1848, the name literally means “King of the World” in Spanish and is reflected in the imagery of the brand.  A native Cuban man sits upon a wheeled throne being pulled by and horse, elephant, camel, mule and ram.  The logo is also emblazoned with six gold medals, a tribute to the awards won by the brand.  A slightly muddied version of the brand’s history sees it falling under control of Antonio Allones around 1882.  Under Allones, the brand reached new heights of its worldwide prestige.  In 1905 the company was bought by Diaz Hermanos Y Cia and soon renamed their company El Rey Del Mundo Company to reflect its most famous asset.  The company also became famous producing Rafael Gonzalez and Sancho Panza cigars.

The brand maintained its post revolutionary popularity though the 1960s and 70s, but started losing steam as smokers soon after.  Despite the brand churning out mild yet complex cigars, smokers were looking for a stronger, more flavorful cigar.  Unfortunately, the El Rey Del Mundo banner has only 2 current production cigars; the Choix Supreme 48X5 (127mm) which has now become its flagship cigar, and the Demi Tasse 30X3-7/8(100) but has more than made up for it by being very busy in producing the regional editions listed here.

Lebanon’s 2017 Regional Edition was nearly 2 years late and was supposed to be released to commemorate the 20^thanniversary of Lebanon’s duty-free shop in the Beirut-Rafic Hariri international Airport.  The shop was opened in 1997 with the world’s first and only walk-in humidor ever in a duty-free shop.  The name WIH20 is a nod to the walk-in humidor and the aforementioned 20^th anniversary. The cigar itself is a beautiful double robusto (factory name Geniales) and measures 54X 5-7/8 (150 mm).  This size has become the favorite of cigars smokers everywhere who crave that big luxurious smoke. Don’t believe me?  Just check out Danilo Bulatovic’s review of the Diplomatico Ammunition!  This Lebanese regional also take on a “pot and the end of the rainbow” mystique and only 8000 cigars were produced (320 boxes of 25 count cigars).

Here is a listing of other El Rey Del Mundo regional edition releases.

2004 – 120 Anniversary humidor (25 Piramides and 25 Tainos)

2007 – Edicion Regional Balticos Vikingos

2008 – Edicion Regional Italia Torpedos

2009 – Edicion Regional Baltico Balthasar

2009 – Edicion Regional Francia Petit Campania

2009 – Edicion Regional  Reino Unidos Choix de l’Epoque

2010 – Edicion Regional Suiza Elegantes #2

2011 – Edicion Regional Paises Bajo NL #1

2012 – Edicion Regional Asia Pacifico Aniversario

2013 – Edicion Regional Cuba Infantes

2015 – Edicion Regional Espana Petit Robusto

2016 – Edicion Regional Belux Choix du Roi (released May 2017)

2017 – Edicion Regional Libano W.I.H 20 (release early 2019)

2017 – Edicion Regional Los Andes Kon Tiki 1973 (released mid 2019)

2018 – Edicion Regional Andorra Petit Cayo (Released early 2019)

2018 – Edicion Regional Grand Bretana La Reina (Released mid 2019)

2018 – Edicion Regional Formosa Tainos (Released mid 2019)

Although Dubai and Tel Aviv may be today’s party capital of the middle east, Lebanon, and in particular Beirut have been the best kept secret to the party scene. Whether it’s glamorous roof top dance clubs, down to earth dive bars, restaurants, and of course, cigar lounges, Beirutis and visitors love to have a good time. Lebanon also has the third highest cigarette consumption per capita and smoking is a prevalent social norm. This is not only limited to cigarettes, but Shisha pipes and cigars. One can only come to the conclusion that that is why there are so many regional editions for Lebanon.

A list of the Habanos Regional Edition cigars for Lebanon.

2008 – Ramon Allones Phoenicio

2009 – Ramon Allones Beritus

2010 – Ramon Allones Phoenicio 32

2012 – Ramon Allones Eshmoun

2013 – Ramon Allones Sidon

2014 – Ramon Allones Sur

2015 – Ramon Allones Phoenicio 35

2016 – Bolivar Byblos

2017 – Rey del Mundo W.I.H. 20 years

2018 – Quai D’Orsay Baalbeck

Time to light up and find out what this cigar is all about.

On the first third, the cold draw has cedar notes and believe it or not, strong sweet cinnamon notes. There’s also a light cinnamon scent on the cigar.  Upon lighting, the first couple of puffs are strong but not overwhelming and well balanced.  As the strength from the first puffs die down, notes of red wine tannins are noted.  Subtle, fruity notes that are well received on the palate.  The strength aspect of this cigar comes and goes in waves, and makes way to unsweetened tea like notes.  The faint scent and taste of cinnamon is always present.

The second third settles down nicely with a creamy, oak-like flavor.  The smoke takes on a campfire like smell and the cinnamon note starts to be noticed in the plumes of smoke around me.  This all adds to the dimensions of the cigar.

Starting the last third, woody notes intensify and the strength of the cigar that was noted earlier comes back, almost Bolivar like in strength which is surprising as an El Rel Del Mundo is usually mild to medium in strength.  And as I come to the end of the cigar, those toasty, floral notes that you usually get from a Cohiba Esplendido make a quick appearance before I leave the cigar in its ashes to die a dignified death.

A perfect pairing to this cigar would be a lightly peated scotch like Talisker Storm or Glenfiddich Fire and Cane.