February 2023
The territory of Portugal was blessed recently as Habanos dedicated a new regional cigar exclusively for the market. The “Coronas de Lonsdales” by Rafael González.
EMPOR, Importacao e Exportacao S.A., exclusive distributor of Habanos, S.A. for Portugal, presented the new cigar. The launch was held at an in-person event where gastronomy and music provided the setting for a magical gala full of surprises. During the event, 110 lucky people were able to become acquainted with and taste first-hand the new product of the Rafael González brand. Guests also received another Portuguese regional edition, the El Rey del Mundo Templarios.
Ernesto González, the Operational Marketing Director, and Rodrigo González, Director of Strategic Marketing of Habanos, S.A., were quoted saying “Rafael Gonzalez Coronas de Lonsdales arrives on the market with a renewed Habano band and the exquisite aroma and excellent flavor characteristic of the brand to surprise the most demanding aficionados”. Rafael Gonzalez Coronas de Lonsdales is presented in a semi boite nature box containing 10 Habanos “totally handmade with long filler”.
THE CIGAR
BRAND: Rafael Gonzalez
NAME: Coronas De Lonsdales
SIZE: 48 X 5 inches (127 MM)
FACTORY NAME: Hermosos No. 4
It should be noted that the cigar band is different than the usual Rafael González band. The brown color used is lighter in shade and features embossed highlights, where as the older bands were darker and were very simple with only white writing and no embossing. Personally, I love those old bands along with the Sancho Panza bands that are very similar.
There are several cigars with this exact size in the regular production Cuban portfolio, as a matter of fact, many of us confuse them with a Robust size. It is only slightly skinnier, and slightly longer than a Robusto sized cigar. The more popular “Hermosos No. 4” include the Saint Luis Rey “Region”, El Rey Del Mundo “Choix Supreme” and the Vegas Robaina “Famosos” to name a few.
As for regional Editions, Here is a complete list of Portugal exclusive editions:
2008 – Vegas Robaina – Petit Robusto
2010 – Ramón Allones – Lusitanos
2011 – Punch – Descobridores
2014 – Juan Lopez – Chiado 1864
2017 – Bolivar – Lusiadas
2020 – San Cristobal de la Habana – Saudade
2021 – El Rey Del Mundo – Templarios
2022 – Rafael Gonzalez – Coronas de Lonsdales
Seems like Portugal lucks out with all these very interesting Regional cigars just for their market!
