La Flor De Cano Selectos No.3 UK Regional Edition 2023

HISTORY

La Flor de Cano is a brand that was born in Havana during the first half of the 20th century. It all began in 1932 when Juan Cano Sainz and his wife Consuela decided to hire the services of a cigar roller to make cigars, literally, on their kitchen table.

With the help of close relatives, Juan and Consuela’s business grew into a sound family company and in 1936 they registered the brand in Spain, which went on to become their largest export market. In 1939 their young son, Ernesto, joined the business and, after he had obtained a degree from Havana University in 1947, he became an equal partner in the company, which was re-named J. Cano E Hijo. In the early 1950s, the company invested in machines to make many of their cigars and then in the 1960’s the family moved to the United States where Ernesto pursued a successful career in the cigar industry.

In Cuba, La Flor de Cano cigars continued in production and, aside from a brief period (1988-1992) when a small range of hand-made sizes were produced, the emphasis was on machine made sizes. More recently this also included short filler, handmade sizes. Today, although the brand has been selected on several occasions to produce a Regional Edition for various markets (including the UK), all La Flor de Cano are Tripa Corta. Totalmente a Mano – short filler, totally handmade – Havanas composed of Vuelta Abajo and Semi Vuelta leaf.

The name Selectos No.3 was chosen in recognition of the Flor de Cano’s brand development. The original Selectos was machine made. Later it became handmade but with short-filler tobacco before being discontinued at the turn of the millennium. So, the third Selectos No.3, handmade with long filler, was deemed a suitable designation. Serendipitously, it is also the third UK Regional Edition from the brand.

The cigars have all been rolled at El Caney factory of Santiago de Cuba, in the east of the island, under the supervision of La Corona factory (which has been the headquarters of the brand since 2010 and guarantees the consistency of the blend). 125,000 cigars have been produced and are presented in 5,000 cabinet boxes (SLBs) of 25. The boxes are all hot stamped with the instantly recognisable green ink and each cigar is dressed with a unique band printed with the size name.

The Selectos No.3 is a Cervantes size, often known as a Lonsdale. It is said that Rafael Gonzalez was commissioned to create the first ‘Lonsdale’ cigar by the fifth Earl of Lonsdale, Hugh Cecil Lowther (1857–1944). The famous English sporting Earl and cigar aficionado asked for a Corona cigar, but with a little extra length. The size became extremely popular and many other brands reproduced it, often even using the Lonsdale name.

Despite well over half the 27 Habanos brands having once made a Cervantes sized cigar, only one remains today, the medium to full bodied Montecristo No.1.

A pleasure to smoke now, they also exhibit many of the same characteristics that they will age with all the grace and refinement of their illustrious predecessors.

TASTING NOTES

This regional edition has a distinctive sweet floral note alongside a distinctive mineral earthiness with some subtle citrus zest that provides a refreshing lift.

This clean, grassy, and mild cigar pairs best with light and refreshing drinks, such as a Dry White Wine (Sauvignon Blanc), a Lager or Pilsner, or a classic Earl Grey Tea.

CIGAR INFORMATION

Country of Origin: Cuba

Flavour profile: Medium-bodied

Vitola: Cervantes

Size: 42 ring gauge, 6 1/2 inches

Smoking time: 60 minutes