Diplomaticos

About

Diplomaticos Cigars The traditional ceremonial carriage seen on the Diplomaticos cigars band and box may give the impression that this is one of the ancient and well-established Cuban cigar brands. Things are not always as they seem, however, and in fact Diplomaticos have only been around since 1966. What is today one of Havana’s smallest brands – with only one Regular Production cigar, much like La Gloria Cubana – came into being fewer than 60 years ago, making it a relative newcomer to the market; in fact, Diplomaticos were the first new brand to be released to the public following the Revolution. This novelty does not equate to a lack of expertise, however, and aficionados around the world have quickly come to adore the Diplomaticos style. The sepia tone of the band, the yellow-and-red livery on the boxes, and that quaint old carriage are designed to give an impression of age. Given the history of Cohiba and Trinidad cigars (both formed after the Revolution, but neither made publicly available until long after Diplomaticos) both being given as diplomatic gifts to official visitors to Castro’s government, one would be forgiven for the assumption that Diplomaticos cigars were intended for the same purpose many years before. The reality is quite different. The original release was with the intention to offer a more accessibly-priced alternative to Montecristo , who had rapidly risen to the status of high luxury just 30 short years after being founded. The blend is medium-to-full strength, like the classic Montecristo line. The initial size offerings copied Montecristo exactly – numbered 1 through 5 – and each cigar was, and is, hand-rolled with Tripa Larga (long-filler tobacco) from the Vuelta Abajo. The manufacture was even done in the same factory. Having borrowed style, size and strength from one sister brand, Diplomaticos then began a strategy it would eventually lend to another. The first cigars to be released had noticeably lighter wrappers than many other Cub