A revived name, a new vitola, and a grand debut at Cannes, the Partagás Royales marks 180 years of heritage in true cinematic style.
Hello, dear reader,
This article arrives fashionably late, as all grand entrances should. Some things simply deserve a pause before applause. Last week may have been the breaking news, but today we take the time to savor it properly, appreciate the work and inspiration behind one of the most elegant new releases of the year: the Partagás Royales.
When Habanos S.A. chooses to unveil a cigar, it does so with the same gravitas as a film premiere, and fittingly, this one took place in Cannes, the French Riviera city synonymous with luxury, celebrity, and timeless glamour. But instead of red carpets and flashbulbs, the stars of the evening were …welll… cigars, as Partagás celebrated 180 years of excellence with a new Travel Humidor and a revived name: the Royales.
It takes a special stage to launch a cigar presented in such a stunning format. During the Tax Free World Association Exhibition & Conference, amidst the rarefied air of luxury travel retail, Habanos S.A. introduced the Partagás Royales, a cigar meant to travel the world while paying homage to the factory that has anchored Havana’s heart since 1845. Habanos has made these launches something we look forward to even if very few aficionados actually attend the event. Cohiba Vistos was presented in the same manner.
This Travel Humidor houses 20 cigars in the Dichosos vitola 48x150mm, a size that feels both contemporary and classic. Classified as fuerte, they promise that unmistakable Partagás depth: a cigar built on strength, structure, and the earthy resonance of Vuelta Abajo tobacco.
But these aren’t cigars you’ll find in your local humidor. Why would they be? Who wants to bring back the days? The Royales are reserved for duty-free boutiques across the globe, airports, lounges, and exclusive travel hubs…to translate this for Cuban cigar aficionados… you should know someone. In a romantic way they are cigars for the traveler, for those who cross borders with passports in one hand and lighters in the other (we wish) a perfect embodiment of the global allure of Cuban cigars.
Once you are back to reality, let’s talk about collecting these fine cigars. For collectors, the Royales name evokes a bit of nostalgia. Once upon a time, in the 1960s, there existed a Partagás Royales petit corona 40x127…if I’m not mistaken, modest in size as most cigars were in that day. It lived a brief life before being discontinued in the 1980s, slipping into memory.
Now, decades later, the name returns, reinterpreted, expanded, and modernized. The new Royales carries a renewed aesthetic, with an anniversary band designed exclusively for the brand’s 180th year. The format is larger, more opulent, a fitting evolution since today's aficionado prefers a wider format.
Then there’s the humidor itself, a piece designed for travelers and connoisseurs alike. Sleek, elegant, and modern, it reflects the sophistication of today’s cigar culture while honoring the craftsmanship of that once was. As much as I love these new boxes, I do enjoy the sights of a normal slide lid cabinet that can be easily stored and can be easily thrown away or repurposed after the cigars are gone.
With 20 Royales nestled inside, this Travel Humidor is commemorative of the 180 years of mastery, and a reminder that Partagás remains a survivor of history.
No pricing has been announced, giving the sellers the opportunity to deliver bad news but exclusivity is a language all its own and it comes with a price. Collectors familiar with the Cohiba Vistosos, Trinidad Robusto Extra, or Quai d’Orsay Imperiales will recognize the pattern: these releases don’t just mark anniversaries, they represent statements and they should be enjoyed with the utmost honor and pleasure.
The House of Partagás: 180 Years of Strength
To speak of Partagás is to speak of heritage. Born in 1845, the brand is woven into Havana’s fabric. Its cigars are rich, full-bodied, assertive. Their flavor commands attention, and their craftsmanship has always been of high quality.
The Partagás factory, one of Havana’s most iconic landmarks, has been home to generations of torcedores, whose hands shape tobacco into legacy. Cigars like the Lusitania, Serie D No. 4, and Serie P No. 2 were born there, all bearing that signature earthy depth, the “fuerte” that defines the brand’s soul.
The Royales stands as a continuation of this lineage, an anniversary cigar not defined by novelty, but by respect and since I am big fan of the history of cigars, I applaud Habanos for intentionally naming this cigar the Royales.
As with all duty-free exclusives, the thrill lies not just in the smoke, but in the pursuit. Somewhere between Cannes and Dubai, Paris and Singapore, these humidors will appear, a glimpse of Havana in transit. They will wait behind glass, illuminated by boutique lighting, beckoning travelers to pause their journeys and begin another, one made of cedar, spice, and slow-burning pleasure.
For collectors, the chase is part of the romance. The Royales, with its limited access and celebratory significance, feels destined for that quiet class of cigars we recall years from now, saying: “I found one once — and it was glorious.”
This release crowns what has been a remarkable time for the brand. From the Línea Maestra to special events across Havana and beyond, the last couple of years feel like a renaissance for Partagás. Looking at all these new releases, their quality and amazing taste profiles, I can honestly say that Partagas is not adapting, it’s leading by example.
The Royales might be just another fancy release but it also is a confirmation of the brand's past and a way to propagate its culture into the future. I cannot wait to see how these cigars evolvea and age.
Wishing you rich flavors and good company, until we meet again.