The Montecristo Brillantes has been released in the UK and is available from shops that qualify as a Havana Cigar Specialist or a La Casa del Habano.
The Brillantes is part of the Habanos series that celebrates the Chinese New Year and has been commissioned to mark the Year of the Dragon.
The Brillantes is a unique size within the Habanos portfolio and measures 5” (128mm) x 53 ring gauge. Each cigar is dressed with a classic Montecristo band along with a special red foot-band bearing a dragon emblem and the legend “Year of the Dragon”.
Each box contains 18 of these commemorative cigars with total world production restricted to 18,888 boxes. The number 8 is a feature as it is considered a lucky number in Chinese culture and is associated with prosperity and success.
Furthermore, red is an auspicious colour in Chinese culture symbolising celebration and prosperity and is the colour of the beautiful lacquered box that house these highly prized cigars.
The Habanos commemoration of the Chinese New Year began in 2019 with the Romeo y Julieta Maravillas No.8. This annual release has since been followed by the Hoyo de Monterrey Primaveras (2020), H. Upmann Magnum 52 (2021) and Cohiba Siglo de Oro (2022).
The latest edition of this extremely rare series is sure to become a collector’s item. However, anyone smoking them now will enjoy a cigar rich with the spice and ‘tang’ that has made Montecristo’s medium to full-bodied blend the benchmark for many aficionados.
