Diplomáticos

In the shadow of Montecristo and yet...

Diplomáticos is a relatively recent brand, created after the Cuban Revolution, the same year as Cohiba, in 1966.

Because of its recent creation, the history of Diplomáticos is relatively short. However, the brand is closely linked to the one inspired by Alexandre Dumas' famous novel: Montecristo.

Indeed, Diplomáticos was originally intended to be a more affordable version of the popular Montecristo brand, targeting mainly the French market. In fact, Diplomáticos cigars are rolled in the José Martí factory, as are some Montecristos.

Moreover, the vitolas and the numerical nomenclature used by Diplomáticos to identify its regular production vitolas are similar to that of Montecristo. Thus we find Diplomáticos No.1, a Cervantes (42 × 165 mm); Diplomáticos No.2, a Piramides (52 × 156 mm); Diplomáticos No.3, a Coronas (42 × 142 mm); Diplomáticos No.4, a Marevas (42 × 129 mm); Diplomáticos No.5, a Perlas (40 × 102 mm); Diplomáticos No.6, a Laguito No.1 (38 × 192 mm) and finally Diplomáticos No.7, a Laguito No.2 (38 × 152 mm).

The first five of these, introduced at the creation of the brand in 1966 and successively discontinued between 2006 and 2010, with the exception of the Diplomáticos No.2, thus correspond in nomenclature and size exactly to Montecristo No.1 to No.5.

Only the last two vitolas differ from their Montecristo namesakes, the Diplomáticos No.6 and Diplomáticos No.7, both introduced in 1976 and discontinued in the early 1980s. Indeed, the Montecristo No.6 and Montecristo No.7, two very rare cigars by the way, are respectively a Seoane (33 × 126 mm) and a Panetelas Largas (28 × 175 mm), also discontinued in 1998.

Since 2010, the regular production catalogue of the brand offers, with the abandonment of the Diplomáticos No.4 and No.5, only one cigar: the Diplomáticos No.2. The Diplomáticos No.1 and No.3 were discontinued in 2006.

In addition, the brand started to introduce special productions in 2012 with the regional editions, but we will come back to this later.

In terms of packaging, Diplomáticos cigars were originally packaged in "Semi Box Nature Boxes" (SBN). "Dress Boxes" (CB) were introduced by the brand in the mid-1970s.

Like many other Habanos brands, Diplomáticos has recently benefited from an update of its band. The latter, introduced in 2018, is however exclusive to regional editions. The Diplomáticos No.2 remains dressed in the original band! This new band has exactly the same logo as the old one, but the red coach is embossed and benefits from a gold filling, as do the lines around the edge. The result is a beautiful effect!

Diplomáticos cigars have always been rolled "Totalmente a Mano con Tripa Larga" with tobacco leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region, thus offering a particularly well-balanced taste. The brand's characteristic creamy, toasted, nutty flavours will appeal to the most demanding palates.

The Diplomáticos blend is similar to Montecristo, but tends to be milder. The latter seems perfectly adapted to the French market. Indeed, the French cigar culture traditionally prefers milder cigars, like the Quai d'Orsay brand, which is known for producing lighter-bodied cigars with a taste profile designed to match French products such as champagne and foie gras.

Although Diplomáticos cigars are produced on a much smaller scale than Montecristo cigars, the brand is now enjoying worldwide popularity, not least thanks to its introduction into the Edición Regional programme in 2012.

Ironically, Diplomáticos cigars are now more coveted than Montecristo cigars by discerning aficionados, due to this more confidential distribution of the brand.

The first region of the world to enjoy an exclusive cigar from the brand was Spain with the 2012 release of the Colección Privada in Edición Regional España, a Petit Robustos (50 × 102 mm) produced in only 5,000 boxes of 10 cigars. Then came one of the most coveted regional editions, the 2014 Bushido, a 109 (50 × 184 mm) in Edición Regional Asia Pacifico, produced in only 2,000 boxes of 25 cigars.

In 2015, the Netherlands welcomed an Edmundo (52 × 135 mm): El Ambajador. The same year, the brand gave birth to the Excelencia, a Robustos (50 × 124 mm) produced exclusively for Cuba.

It was not until 2018 that the brand returned with three new regional editions, introducing the brand's new band: El Diputado in Edición Regional Belux, a Montesco (55 × 130 mm); the Norteños in Edición Regional Canadá, a Robustos (50 × 124 mm) and the Ammunition in Edición Regional Phoenicia, a Geniales (54 × 150 mm).

Then, after another year without special production, the brand launched two new regional editions: the Colección Privada II (Edmundo - 52 × 135 mm) and the Reserva Exclusiva (Geniales - 54 × 150 mm), both from 2020, produced in Edición Regional España and Edición Regional Caribe respectively.

Finally, the Líderes, a Sublimes (54 × 164 mm), originally planned for 2021, is waiting to be sent to China.

Through all these regional editions, the Diplomáticos brand, which was originally born in the shadow of Montecristo, is spreading throughout the world and is constantly strengthening its popularity among discerning aficionados.

To learn more about Diplomáticos cigars, we would be delighted to welcoming you to our walk-in humidor, where you will find exclusive pieces representing so beautifully the brand’s history, special productions, but also cigars from regular production.

Login to your online account to reserve your item
or contact us at +41 22 552 2799