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Edición Limitadas
by Anonymous, Cigar Enthusiast uring the year 2000, Cuba introduced a new line of cigars named Edición Limitadas, commonly known to cigar enthusiasts as "Limited Editions." In addition to the standard Habanos sleeve, each box of cigars is packaged with an additional slip of paper noting the wrappers are specially selected from the top of the tobacco plants and aged for two years. Due to the darker shade of these cigars, they are also referred to "Limited Edition Maduros", which is a first for Cuban cigars. Although the wrapper is specially selected and aged for these cigars, the binders and fillers are the same as the regular production model for each brand. To date each line of Edición Limitadas has been created in a new size of an existing brand of Habanos, i.e. a size not released as a regular production cigar. The first release in 2000 included the following: Hoyo de Monterrey Particulare ("A" size), Montecristo Robusto, Partagas Pirámide and Romeo y Julieta Exhibición #2 (Double Corona). I was fortunate enough to sample the Romeo y Julieta shortly after its initial release. Being a Double Corona (or Prominente), this cigar was just shy of eight inches long with a heavy, rosado Maduro wrapper and dark chocolate, manure-like aroma, familiar to many strong Habanos. Although a bit damp and tightly box-pressed, the draw was surprisingly open, producing thick clouds of smoke and a strong tobacco flavor with hints of cocoa and espresso.
	Strengthening through the length of the cigar, the flavors became somewhat harsh after about two-thirds of this enormous smoke. I attributed this bitterness to its youth and suspect that now (after almost five years of age) these cigars have gained an incredibly rich flavor and are much more enjoyable for a prolonged, after dinner delight. The next series of Edición Limitadas was released in 2001. This year's production included a re-release of the Hoyo de Monterrey Particulare and four new additions: Cohiba Pirámide, Montecristo Double Corona, Partagas Series D3 (Corona Gorda) and Romeo y Julieta Robusto. It is unknown to the author why Habanos S. A. chose not to officially release Edición Limitadas during 2002, although I have seen a number of 2001 release boxes with 2002 date codes. Perhaps the demand for these new "Maduro Cubans" was so high, it caused production to continue through the following year preventing a next "annual" release? (continued...)
	Box of Romeo y Julieta Robustos dated September 2002