The tiny principality of Monaco is about to get its first-ever exclusive Cuban cigar release, and it's coming with serious pedigree attached to it.
Coprova S.A.S., the French distributor that handles Cuban cigars for France and supplies Monaco's market, has joined forces with Monaco's Régie des Tabacs de Monaco to launch something special. They're calling it the Ramón Allones Casino Edición Regional Monaco, and the name alone tells you what they're honoring - the famous Monte Carlo Casino that's been drawing high rollers and tourists for generations.
The cigar itself measures 5 1/8 inches (130mm) with a 55 ring gauge. In the Cuban cigar world, they call this size a "montesco," the same dimensions you'll find in the Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchills. It's a substantial smoke, the kind that demands your attention and time.
These won't come cheap. According to Monaco's Journal de Monaco price list, each stick will set you back €65.90, which translates to about $77.15. That's premium territory, but then again, this is Monaco we're talking about - a place where "affordable" isn't really part of the vocabulary.
Production numbers are deliberately limited. Only 6,000 numbered boxes are being made, with 10 cigars per box. That works out to 60,000 total cigars, which might sound like a lot until you consider the global demand for exclusive Cuban releases. These will likely disappear faster than chips at a roulette table.
Antoine Bathie and Damarys Maldonado, who serve as co-CEOs of Coprova, seemed pretty excited about the whole thing. "This first Regional Edition dedicated to Monaco recognizes the enthusiasm and expertise of Monegasque aficionados for Habanos," they said in their announcement. They went on to call it "an emblematic project" that celebrates both the Ramón Allones brand's legacy and what they termed "the excellence of the Monegasque market."
Philippe Gatti, who runs Monaco's tobacco authority, echoed that sentiment. He talked about presenting this release "in the coming weeks" and described it as paying tribute to Monaco's "historic connection with Cuban cigars." He also mentioned it highlights Monaco's "unique position within the world of Habanos."
While nobody's putting an exact release date on the calendar just yet, all signs point to these hitting Monaco shelves soon.
The whole thing operates under what Habanos S.A. calls its Edición Regional program. Here's how it works: Habanos S.A. is the Cuban company that controls all Cuban cigar distribution worldwide, and they offer their various distributors around the globe the chance to commission special releases for their specific regions. Each year, distributors can typically pick one cigar to have made exclusively for their market, though there have been times when some distributors got to select more than one.
There are rules, though. The cigar has to come from a brand that wasn't part of what Habanos used to call its "Global Brands" lineup. And the size has to be something that particular brand doesn't already offer in its regular production. This keeps things interesting and prevents the market from getting flooded with the same old sizes in different wrappers.
These regional releases are easy to spot because they come with a distinctive secondary band - usually red and silver - that reads "Edición Regional" followed by the region's name. Monaco's version does things a bit differently. Instead of the standard "Edición Regional Monaco" text, their band says "Exclusivo Monaco." It's a subtle distinction but shows they wanted to put their own stamp on it.
One interesting detail for cigar nerds: this isn't the first time someone's commissioned a Ramón Allones in this montesco size as a regional exclusive. Back in 2016, the Middle East got the Phoenicio 35 in the same dimensions. A year later, Asia received the Ramón Allones Silver Jubilee, also in montesco. So Monaco is actually the third region to go this route with this particular combination of brand and size.
The timing of these releases can be unpredictable. Even though distributors select their cigars for a specific year, the actual arrival in stores often doesn't happen during that same year. Sometimes it takes multiple years for the cigars to actually show up. Production delays, aging requirements, and the general complexities of Cuban cigar manufacturing all play a role in these timeline stretches.
Monaco's relationship with luxury tobacco products runs deep. The principality has long been a destination for wealthy cigar enthusiasts, and its shops stock some of the finest Cuban cigars money can buy. Having an exclusive release makes perfect sense for a place that's built its entire identity around exclusivity and high-end experiences.
The choice of the Ramón Allones brand carries its own significance. Ramón Allones is one of Cuba's oldest and most respected cigar brands, with a history stretching back to 1837. The brand has a reputation for full-bodied, complex smokes that appeal to experienced cigar lovers rather than casual smokers. It's not the kind of cigar you pick up on a whim - it's the kind you seek out when you know what you want.
Connecting this particular brand to Monaco's casino scene creates an interesting pairing. Both represent a certain kind of indulgence, a willingness to take risks and enjoy the finer things in life. Whether you're placing bets at the tables or lighting up a premium Cuban, you're participating in rituals that have remained essentially unchanged for generations.
For collectors, these numbered boxes will likely become sought-after items. Limited regional releases have a way of appreciating in value, especially when they come from respected brands in desirable sizes. Anyone who manages to score a few boxes might find themselves sitting on a nice investment down the road, assuming they can resist the temptation to actually smoke them.
The announcement suggests Monaco's cigar market has reached a level of maturity and sophistication that warranted this kind of recognition from Habanos S.A. Not every region gets the opportunity to commission these exclusive releases, and getting approval for one signals that your market has demonstrated consistent demand and appreciation for premium Cuban cigars.
As the release date approaches, expect Monaco's cigar shops to generate some buzz around this launch. For visitors planning trips to the principality, timing your visit to coincide with the arrival of these cigars might be worth considering. Then again, given the limited production numbers, there's a good chance they'll sell out quickly to local regulars and international collectors who have connections in Monaco's tobacco retail scene.
Whether this becomes an annual tradition or remains a one-time celebration remains to be seen. If the Casino proves successful, don't be surprised if Monaco starts commissioning regular exclusive releases. But for now, this first Edición Regional for the principality stands as a unique tribute to both Monaco's casino culture and its appreciation for fine Cuban tobacco.
