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Cigar Journal 2017 Cigar of the Year: Saint Luis Rey Regios received this honor -- this award made Saint Luis Rey go overnight from a "forgotten British brand" to a "star pursued by enthusiasts worldwide". Inventories were cleared out, and prices rose sharply.

Saint Luis Rey was first registered in 1940 by Zamora y Guerra Co. (a Havana company) - later acquired by two British tobacco importers, Nathan Silverstone and Michael de Keyser, and distributed through their N.R. Silverstone Cigar Limited. It is one of the few Cuban brands in the cigar industry tailor-made for a single national market (the UK).

Saint Luis Rey Pacificos RE Asia Pacifico 2009 (Pirámides 52 × 156mm) -- the first Edición Regional in the brand's history, with 亞太區 being the first selected region. It has special significance for 台灣, 香港, and 馬來西亞 enthusiasts -- a "home" RE. Today, aged versions are rare.

Saint Luis Rey is one of the cigar industry's most distinctive single-market brand cases -- for a full 53 years from 1940 to 1993, Saint Luis Rey was sold exclusively in the UK market through N.R. Silverstone Cigar Ltd (owned by De Keyser and Silverstone).

In 1993, Habanos S.A. finally opened global distribution — ending 53 years of UK exclusivity. From 1993, Hunters & Frankau took over UK distribution (Saint Luis Rey did not formally enter the H&F catalogue until 2003). In 1994, Pacific Cigar Company was the first company to import Saint Luis Rey to Asia (Hong Kong).

This exclusive agreement survived the 1953 Cuban Revolution — it was even renewed in 1960. From 1960 to 1992, for a full 32 years, Saint Luis Rey was sold only in the UK market. This was the longest single-market exclusivity in cigar-industry history — other brands had long since moved to global distribution.

Saint Luis Rey Regios (5" × 48, vitola: Hermosos No.4) - the brand's soul cigar - and also today's only regular production model. It was retained for brand continuity due to copyright factors. Flavor: intense, deep, spicy earth, cocoa, chili-pepper finish. It is the "insider's Cuban Robusto Extra".

Saint Luis Rey Regios (5" × 48, vitola: Hermoso No.4) -- the brand's flagship Robusto, today the only regular-production model that continues to be made (in the early 21st century, the regular series was reduced to just this one model). Reissued as an updated version in 2018. 2017 Cigar Journal Cigar of the Year -- one of the brand's highest honors.

Saint Luis Rey Lonsdale (6.5" × 42, vitola: Cervantes) -- Frank Sinatra's favorite size. It is one of the iconic cigars in the brand's history. The Voice's signature cigar between performances in Las Vegas -- it has special meaning for enthusiasts who love cigar and jazz culture.

Frank Sinatra (The Voice) was an avid lover of Saint Luis Rey Lonsdale — one of the Cuban cigars most often smoked by "blue-eyed Sinatra". For those who appreciate Sinatra culture, Saint Luis Rey is a key cigar.

Saint Luis Rey was first registered in Havana in 1940 by Zamora y Guerra Co. (located at Calle Maximo Gómez 180 or 810). In the same year, two British tobacco importers, Nathan Silverstone and Michael De Keyser, re-registered the "Saint Luis Rey" name.

Saint Luis Rey Regios (5" × 48, vitola: Hermosos No.4) -- the brand's only surviving regular-production vitola today. A full-strength experience of about 40-60 minutes, with flavors of honey, wood, spice, and earth. The cigar band has an attractive red-and-gold color scheme. Cigar Journal 2017 Cigar of the Year -- the biggest award in Saint Luis Rey history.

In 1993, Cubatabaco ended N.R. Silverstone's exclusive UK distribution of Saint Luis Rey -- the brand began global distribution. Only from this moment was Saint Luis Rey truly opened to the world market. It was the only Cuban brand not distributed by Hunters & Frankau -- until Hunters & Frankau took it over in 1993.

The longest exclusive distribution agreement in the cigar industry: in the 1940s, Cubatabaco signed with British importer N.R. Silverstone Cigar Limited (owned by Michael de Keyser and Nathan Silverstone) — Saint Luis Rey was exclusively distributed in the UK by NR Silverstone and sold only in the UK market.

Cubatabaco and N.R. Silverstone signed an exclusive distribution agreement -- Saint Luis Rey was limited to the UK market only. It was one of the longest single-country exclusive distribution agreements in cigar-industry history -- lasting 53 years (1940-1993).

Saint Luis Rey was formally registered in 1940 (Habanos S.A. recognizes it as founded by Zamora y Guerra Co. at the factory at Calle Maximo Gómez 180 in Havana). In the same year, it was re-registered by two British tobacco importers, Michael De Keyser and Nathan Silverstone.

Saint Luis Rey Double Coronas (7⅝" × 49, vitola: Prominentes) -- released in 2001 to replace a version planned in the late 1980s but never realized. Finally discontinued in 2013 -- causing the brand to lose one of its largest flagship sizes. Reason: Habanos reorganized the Prominentes size for more important brands (Hoyo de Monterrey, Partagás, Punch, Ramón Allones).

Saint Luis Rey flavor positioning: full strength -- intense, complex, and deep. Flavor description: spice, earth, cedar, leather, dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, honey finish, light pepper -- one of the strongest brands in the Habanos range.

On September 15, 1960, the factory was nationalized by the Cuban government, with all assets taken into state ownership. But the exclusive UK distribution agreement actually continued, and was even renewed in 1960 -- one of the most incredible cases of contract continuity in the cigar industry.

Saint Luis Rey flavor: medium-strong (medium-strong/medium-full) to full strength -- one of the stronger factions among Cuban cigars. Characteristic flavors: spice, earth, powerful, deep, leather, roasted meat, light coffee finish. Stronger than Hoyo de Monterrey, slightly softer than Bolívar.

When Castro nationalized the cigar industry in 1960, only 25 brands were retained from among thousands - Saint Luis Rey was one of them. This survivor status reflects the brand's importance before the Revolution.

There are three theories about the origin of the brand name: (1) the San Luis town in Vuelta Abajo (the most mainstream theory -- the area is a premium tobacco-growing region), (2) Thornton Wilder's 1927 novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey (winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1928 and adapted into films), (3) Louis IX, the 13th-century king of France (Saint Louis). "Rey" means "king" in Spanish -- so "Saint Luis Rey" = "Saint Louis King".

In 1994, Pacific Cigar Company began importing Saint Luis Rey to Hong Kong -- the first region through which the brand entered the Asian market. This made Saint Luis Rey a brand familiar to Asian aficionados as early as 1994.

In 1993, Cubatabaco terminated the exclusive contract, and Saint Luis Rey began global sales. Hunters & Frankau took over UK distribution, but it was not formally included in the Hunters catalogue until 2003 -- the point when the brand truly became global.

Saint Luis Rey flavor: full strength - "intense, deep, spicy earth". Flavor notes: strong coffee, dark chocolate, spice, leather, earth, cedar, chili pepper. It is one of the representatives of Cuban full-bodied cigars.

Saint Luis Rey Pura Vida RE Costa Rica 2020 (Magnum 54, 60,000 cigars) - Exclusive to the Costa Rica market, only 60,000 cigars in total -- extremely rare. It is the brand's latest RE to date.

Saint Luis Rey is different from San Luis Rey -- the latter is machine-made cigarillos by Villiger Söhne in Germany. Taiwanese and Chinese-speaking enthusiasts often confuse them -- the Cuban Saint Luis Rey is the brand under Habanos.

Saint Luis Rey was the only British cigar brand not imported by Hunters & Frankau — all other Cuban brands in the UK were imported exclusively by H&F, but Saint Luis Rey was exclusive to NR Silverstone. This unique status lasted 53 years (1940-1993).

In 2017, Cuban Saint Luis Rey was named "Cigar of the Year" by Cigar Journal - the greatest honor in the brand's history.

Saint Luis Rey won the 2017 Cigar Journal Cigar of the Year award -- the highest honor in the brand's history. The Regios size's full strength, deep flavor, and Robusto size happened to match the preferences of modern cigar evaluation.

Saint Luis Rey Inca RE Perú 2014 (Petit Robustos 50 × 102mm, 1,000×50) -- exclusive to the Peru market, only 1,000 sets -- the brand's rarest RE. Released in early 2015.

There are two competing theories about the brand name: Theory 1: it commemorates American writer Thornton Wilder's 1927 novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey — winner of the 1928 Pulitzer Prize, and adapted into films three times in 1928, 1944, and 2004. Theory 2 (more likely): it commemorates the small town of San Luis in Cuba's Vuelta Abajo region (a tobacco town producing top-grade wrappers). "Rey" means "king" — "King of San Luis".

Frank Sinatra was a regular of Saint Luis Rey Lonsdale -- the legendary singer's choice of this brand reflected its status among British and American celebrities in the mid-20th century.

Even the Revolution did not change this exclusive contract -- after the 1959 Revolution, Cubatabaco was nationalized, but the contract was still renewed in 1960. Saint Luis Rey was the only Cuban brand in the post-Revolution UK market not distributed by Hunters & Frankau.

There are two theories about the brand name: (1) it comes from American writer Thornton Wilder's 1927 novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey (1928 Pulitzer Prize, adapted into a film in 1944); (2) more likely -- it commemorates the San Luis town in Cuba's Vuelta Abajo region -- 'Rey' (Spanish for 'king') plus 'San Luis' means 'King of San Luis'.

Saint Luis Rey Pacíficos RE Asia Pacífico 2009 (Pirámides 52 × 156mm, 4,000×25) -- the first Saint Luis Rey Edición Regional, exclusive to the Asia-Pacific market. It represents the brand's entry into the RE era.

N.R. Silverstone 53-year monopoly over Saint Luis Rey sales in 英國 - this exclusive contract was one of the longest-lived single-brand distribution agreements in the cigar industry. Silverstone made a decisive contribution to establishing Saint Luis Rey's reputation in 英國.

Saint Luis Rey Pacificos RE Asia Pacífico 2009 (Pirámides 156mm × 52) - the brand's first Edición Regional, exclusive to the Asia-Pacific market. From then on, Saint Luis Rey entered the RE program.

Saint Luis Rey is known among enthusiasts as 'an old smoker's cigar' -- strong, deep, and not suitable for beginners. 'For experienced cigar lovers, Saint Luis Rey enjoys prestige' -- the official description from House of Grauer.

Today Saint Luis Rey is produced at the Briones Montoto Factory (the Romeo y Julieta factory) in Havana -- the same factory as Romeo y Julieta and Rafael González. All Vuelta Abajo + Semi Vuelta tobacco leaves -- Semi Vuelta is relatively uncommon and is a brand characteristic.

All Cuban versions are "totalmente a mano con tripa larga" (totally handmade long filler), with tobacco from a blend of the Vuelta Abajo and Semi Vuelta growing regions -- this two-region blend is key to the brand's distinctive flavor.

Saint Luis Rey is produced at Briones Montoto Factory (i.e. the Romeo y Julieta factory) -- this production relationship has continued from before the Revolution to the present day.

Saint Luis Rey Double Coronas (vitola: Prominentes, 49 × 194mm) -- the Prominente format was reintroduced in 2001 -- at the time, the Prominente format was reserved only for the most important brands (Hoyo de Monterrey, Partagás, Punch, Ramón Allones). Discontinued in 2013, it was the brand's "brief brilliance".

After the Revolution, Saint Luis Rey was one of only 25 surviving Cuban brands -- at a time when thousands of brands were forced to cease production. Its survival reflected the brand's importance in the UK market.

For Chinese enthusiasts: Saint Luis Rey entered the Hong Kong market as early as 1994 (imported by Pacific Cigar Company) -- an "old friend" brand familiar to Asian enthusiasts. Pacíficos RE 2009 is a representative Asia-Pacific collectible.

Aged old Saint Luis Rey Lonsdale and Double Corona are rare collectibles in the eyes of cigar collectors -- the "Frank Sinatra favorite format" plus discontinuation means prices continue to rise in the auction market.

Saint Luis Rey Herfing RE Medio Oriente 2017 (Duke 54 × 5½", 7,500×10) - Exclusive to the Middle East market, the Duke format became popular because of Partagás Serie E No.2. Released in early 2019.

Saint Luis Rey is produced at the legendary Briones Montoto Factory (i.e. the Romeo y Julieta factory) - the same factory as Romeo y Julieta, Rafael González, and Sancho Panza.

Saint Luis Rey Lonsdales (Cervantes size) - Frank Sinatra's favorite. Discontinued; older versions are prized collectibles.

From 8+ regular vitolas before the Revolution, it has been trimmed down to only 1 today (Regios) -- SLR is one of the most drastically streamlined brands in the Habanos portfolio. But the single surviving Regios won Cigar Journal's Cigar of the Year award.

All Cuban versions of Saint Luis Rey are "totalmente a mano con tripa larga" (entirely handmade long filler), with tobacco from the two regions Vuelta Abajo + Semi Vuelta. The wrappers are maduro (dark brown) or oscuro (very dark brown).

The aged version of Saint Luis Rey Regios (aged 5-10 years) has depth far beyond its price in collecting circles -- it ranks alongside Bolívar Royal Coronas and Partagás Serie D No.4 as one of the "three major benchmarks for value-for-price among full-strength aged cigars".

Saint Luis Rey Inca RE Perú (Petit Robustos 50 × 102, limited to 1,000 cabinets of 50 cigars) - one of the brand's rarest REs. Exclusive to the Perú market and extremely hard to find.

'Slow smoking' is the brand's official recommended smoking method -- especially for thicker models such as Regios (Robusto 48), Double Corona (49), and Serie A (Coronas Gordas 46). Only slow smoking can release the brand's deep flavors.

On September 15, 1960, the revolutionary government nationalized the Saint Luis Rey factory — all assets became state-owned. But the exclusive UK distribution agreement remained unchanged.

Saint Luis Rey Marquéz RE Cuba 2016 (Geniales size, 7,500×10) -- a Cuba local-market RE -- one of the rare "Cuba-exclusive" REs in the cigar industry. Released in November 2016.

Saint Luis Rey Double Coronas (vitola: Prominentes, 7⅝" × 49) -- returned in 2001 -- had been planned for addition to the regular series as early as the late 1980s, but was delayed because of the Cuban cigar industry crisis during the Cold War. Discontinued again in 2013. Aged versions are truly rare collectibles.

All Cuban Saint Luis Rey are 'totalmente a mano con tripa larga' (totally handmade long filler). Wrapper characteristics: maduro (dark coffee) to very dark maduro coffee -- smooth color with a slight sheen. It is one of the darker wrapper colors among Cuban wrappers.

Notable aficionados: Frank Sinatra is said to have regularly enjoyed Saint Luis Rey Lonsdale. James Coburn (The Magnificent Seven) was also a brand aficionado. It is a rare "American entertainment circle Cuban cigar" connection in the cigar industry.

Saint Luis Rey Inca RE Peru (Petit Robustos 50 × 102mm, 1,000 cabinets × 50) -- only 1,000 50-count cabinets -- one of the rarest RE in the brand's history. 'Inca' commemorates Peru's Inca culture. Extremely rare.

The Cuban version of Saint Luis Rey is regarded as the "king of value for full-strength Cuban cigars" -- usually 20-35% cheaper than Cohiba, Bolívar, and brands of similar strength, but with equally intense flavor and depth.

For Cuban full-bodied players, Saint Luis Rey Regios is a choice that is "more direct and wilder than Bolívar Royal Coronas" - the same Robusto size, but with a more ferocious flavor.

The Honduras version of Saint Luis Rey has repeatedly received 90+ point ratings from Cigar Aficionado. Cigar Aficionado named Saint Luis Rey a 2015 "Best Buy".

Today, the regular Saint Luis Rey series has only Regios remaining - making it one of the most streamlined Habanos brands. However, the RE series remains active.

Actor James Coburn was also a Saint Luis Rey enthusiast -- the Hollywood tough-guy star's choice of this strong brand fully matched his screen image.

Saint Luis Rey Serie A (vitola: Coronas Gordas, 46) -- a classic Corona Gorda format. Discontinued in 2014, it was one of the last few surviving regular-production vitolas during the brand's streamlining period.

Cigar band design: red-and-gold color scheme, central "Saint Luis Rey" lettering, royal coat-of-arms style -- one of the most ornate British-style cigar bands in the cigar industry. It reflects the brand's origins in the "British aristocratic market".

The Honduran version of Saint Luis Rey has received 90+ ratings from Cigar Aficionado many times, and won "Best Buy of 2015" in 2015. But collectors generally agree that the Cuban version is the true Saint Luis Rey.

Thornton Wilder's 1927 The Bridge of San Luis Rey — an investigation into the tragedy of a bridge collapse in Peru that killed five people. Winner of the 1928 Pulitzer Prize. It is an odd choice as a brand name (because of the tragic theme), so the theory of the "Vuelta Abajo town San Luis" is more widely accepted. But the two theories still coexist today.

Saint Luis Rey Pura Vida RE Costa Rica 2020 -- a Costa Rica RE released in 2020. 'Pura Vida' is Costa Rica's national greeting (pure life). It is the brand's newest RE.

Saint Luis Rey is a relatively niche brand in the Habanos system -- production has always been low, and in the early 21st century the regular series was reduced to only Regios. But the RE program supplemented the brand's presence -- since 2009, there have been a total of 6 RE.

Hunters & Frankau did not add Saint Luis Rey to the UK catalogue until 2003 -- 10 years after exclusive distribution ended in 1993. During that period, there was a gap in SLR supply in the UK.

Aged old Saint Luis Rey Lonsdales (the one Frank Sinatra smoked) are truly rare collectibles -- this spec has been discontinued for many years, and with the endorsement of a celebrity enthusiast, aged versions have extremely great future value.

Cigar wrapper: maduro (dark brown) or maduro extra (very dark brown) -- smooth and slightly glossy in color. The dark wrapper is one of the brand's visual identifiers, and also echoes its strong flavor.

Saint Luis Rey and Quai d'Orsay are rare examples in the cigar industry of single-country market exclusive brands - Saint Luis Rey was for the UK, and Quai d'Orsay was for France. Both brands only had their geographic restrictions lifted after the 1990s.

Saint Luis Rey and Hoyo de Monterrey are both 'British gentleman-style Cuban cigars' -- but their styles are opposite: Hoyo follows an elegant floral route, while Saint Luis Rey follows a powerful and deep route. In British gentlemen's clubs, these two are the 'daytime vs nighttime' choices.

United States/Honduras version of Saint Luis Rey: The trademark was registered in the United States in 1980. Today it is produced by Altadis USA at the Flor de Copan factory in Honduras (the same factory as Romeo y Julieta). Reserva Especial is the original non-Cuban blend: Honduras + Nicaragua + Peru long fillers + Nicaragua binder.

In 1980, the Saint Luis Rey trademark was registered in the United States by Altadis USA -- the U.S. embargo led Altadis to launch the Honduran version of Saint Luis Rey (produced at Santa Rosa Factory, in the same factory as Romeo y Julieta). Today, the pattern of "two Saint Luis Rey" continues.

Saint Luis Rey Serie A (5⅔" × 46, vitola: Coronas Gordas) -- Coronas Gordas size, once one of the important sizes in the brand's history. It is now discontinued.

In the Habanos system, Saint Luis Rey is classified as "Other" (previously Local) - production is extremely small, making it a truly niche boutique brand. Its reputation is extremely high in the UK market, and global prices continue to rise.

Saint Luis Rey Tesoros RE España 2016 (15,000×10) -- exclusive to the Spain market, released in February 2017.

Saint Luis Rey is suited to slow smoking - "slow smoking" is the consensus among brand enthusiasts. Regios, Double Corona, Serie A all require 60+ minutes of careful savoring, making them "cigars with a sense of ritual".

Saint Luis Rey Pura Vida RE Costa Rica 2020 - a Costa Rica market exclusive RE. "Pura Vida" is Costa Rica's national motto (pure life).

Saint Luis Rey Herfing RE Medio Oriente 2019 (Vintage 10-count) -- a Middle East market RE. It represents the brand's entry into the Middle East market.

U.S. market: the Saint Luis Rey trademark is registered in the U.S. by Altadis. In 2008, Altadis was acquired by Imperial Tobacco -- including the Saint Luis Rey U.S. trademark. But the Cuban version remains under Habanos S.A. and is globally distributed by Hunters & Frankau.

Saint Luis Rey Serie A (vitola: Corona Gorda, ring gauge 46) - the classic Cuban Corona Gorda size from Saint Luis Rey.

James Coburn (actor, star of The Saint) was also a famous Saint Luis Rey enthusiast — one of the representatives of cigar culture from Hollywood's Golden Age.

Saint Luis Rey Carenas (Honduras version) -- named after the original name of the Havana port, "Puerto de Carenas" (the main port for Cuban cigar exports). Aged Honduran core + Nicaraguan wrapper, medium strength.

Saint Luis Rey Herfing RE Medio Oriente 2019 Vintage - the Vintage version of the Medio Oriente market exclusive RE, with 10 cigars per box.

Do not confuse it with San Luis Rey - this is a machine-made cigarillo produced by the German company Villiger Söhne and has absolutely no relation to Cuban Saint Luis Rey.

Cigar band versions: Standard band A (pre-1960 to present, variable embossed design) + Standard band B (used for special releases from 2009 onward, with modified design and fine embossing).

Saint Luis Rey cigar band characteristics: gold and red color scheme, with a large and striking cigar band in the center -- one of the Cuban cigar brands with high visual recognizability.