Habanos Releases Special-Edition Humidor

Gregory Mottola
Posted: January 9, 2008

Habanos S.A has released 50 special-edition Guayasamín Humidors, ornate packages that hold 90 Cohiba cigars.

The humidor is named after Ecuadoran artist Oswaldo Guayasamín, who produced 30 similar humidors 10 years ago to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Cohiba.

Guayasamín passed away in 1999. The new humidors were produced by artisans of the Guayasamín foundation in a style very similar to his, adhering closely to the artwork presented on the original series presented in 1997.

The humidors are made of cedar and are held together with wooden nails, instead of the traditional metal ones. The top lid is fashioned with an engraving of a woman very reminiscent of the first release, and is covered with a 24-karat gold-powder finish known as pan de oro.

The humidor contains 90 Cohibas: 15 Esplendidos (7 inches long by 47 ring), 15 Lanceros (7 1/2 long by 38), 15 Piramides (6 1/8 by 52), 15 Robustos (4 7/8 by 50), 15 Coronas Especiales (6 by 38) and 15 Siglo VI (5 7/8 by 52).

Each box is numbered (1 through 50) and contains a certificate signed by Fidel Castro in 2006 before he abdicated power. The signature has been authenticated by Habanos.

A certificate signed by Fidel Castro and authenticated by Habanos S.A.

The humidors shipped in late November to select retailers across the world. Prices for the humidor will vary from country to country depending on taxes and the local market. Christoph Wolters, owner of La Casa del Habano in Hamburg, Germany, says he will be charging 30,000 euros (currently $43,987).

"Our importer, 5th Ave. Products Trading, has very good connections to Habanos and was clever enough to place the order the day these humidors were released," said Wolters. "We've placed an order for a major allocation, but how many we finally receive is not predictable."

Wolters said that he already has orders for the humidors and doesn't think he'll have the merchandise for very long.

"I still regret that I did not buy one of the original releases made by Oswaldo himself," said Wolters. "In those days, nobody bought them, as they were priced at $9,000 -- big money back then. Now these Guayasamíns are truly priceless."

From the November 20 issue of Cigar Insider.