Launched in 2003 by Guillermo Rico, the Gran Habano brand has grown to include a nice portfolio of cigars under its umbrella. Today’s profile will discuss the various lines under the Gran Habano name to give you a better feel as to what the company has to offer.

Cigar Lines

Azteca

The Azteca is a 2010 release from Gran Habano. The whole idea behind the line was to create a cigar to dispel the notion that just because a cigar is smooth, it must also lack flavor. The father-son tandem of Don Guillermo and George Rico wanted the Azteca to exhibit full flavor, and it seems as if they have succeeded in doing so. In fact, the line carries the slogan of “Rediscovery of Full Flavor.”

Beyond its full flavor theme, the Azteca is significant because it is the first Maduro release from Gran Habano. As for the name, the cigar contains Mexican core ingredients from Mexico, which is where the ancient Aztec tribes lived. The cigar’s filler features a mix of tobaccos from Nicaragua and Panama. Its binder and wrapper are both comprised of Mexican San Andres Maduro tobacco. In other words, the Azteca is a double Maduro cigar.

As for its strength, the Azteca is listed as falling into the medium to full-bodied category. Gran Habano describes the line as offering smoothness, depth, and complexity. Chocolate, coffee, spice, and leather are among the flavors to expect. Gran Habano produces the Azteca in three sizes that are named after animals associated with the Aztecs: the 5 ½ x 52 Aguila (eagle), 6 x 54 Jaguar, and the 6 x 60 Puma. Singles sell for around $6 to $7 each.

Gran Reserva #3

Gran Habano released the Gran Reserva #3 line in November of 2010. Medium to full-bodied in strength, the Gran Reserva #3 is characterized by its two-step staging process that helps to create a smooth and complex smoking experience.

The Gran Reserva #3’s filler is a blend of seven year old Nicaraguan La Santa Cruz and eight year old Colombian La Joya del Valle tobaccos. The binder is also of the seven year old La Santa Cruz variety. Completing the composition is an eight year old Nicaraguan wrapper. Rolled in 2008, the cigars were aged an additional two years, essentially making the Gran Reserva #3 over ten years old including its components.

The extensive aging of the Gran Reserva #3 has made it a limited production cigar. It comes in three sizes: the 6 x 54 Gran Robusto, 6 1/8 x 54 Pyramid, and the 7 x 50 Churchill. Pricing is set at around $7 per single.