BOASTING ONE OF THE MOST ENTHRALLING AND INTERESTING STORIES AMONG ALL HABANOS’ BRANDS, TRINIDAD OFFERS HARMONIZING PAIRINGS CAPABLE OF REIGNING IN THE VERY DEMANDING WORLD OF PREMIUM CIGARS

The first Habano brand bearing the name of one of the seven founding towns of Cuba appeared in 1969. From then on, it has had a privileged spot among those who bet on products of the highest standards.
Created under the umbrella of Cohiba, Trinidad served in its early days as diplomatic gift by the Cuban revolutionary government. In 1997, the brand was released to the international market with the vitola Fundadores, with factory name Laguito especial No.1 (ring gauge 40 / length: 192mm).
The market launching in 2004 of factory vitolas Coloniales, Reyes, and Robusto extra — the latter discontinued afterwards— allowed to expand Habanos’ vitola portfolio. Its temptations bloomed due to its unique vitolas, which showed exoticism and great aroma richness; as well as a demanding quality control that guaranteed a remarkable commercial success.
Trinidad was originally made at El Laguito. But the whole production was later moved to the cigar factory Ventura Donatien, in Pinar del Rio. Even with a small vitola portfolio, each of its vitolas are remarkable and different. This is a mild-tasting Habano with the Lancero distinctive tapered tip.
From a total of 60 vitolas in Limited Editions, only three from the Trinidad vitola portfolio hold this category. The first was Ingenios in 2007 (Factory name Cervantes, ring gauge 42, length: 165mm). Robusto Short T appeared three years later (Factory name Short del Valle, ring gauge 50, length: 102mm); and afterwards, in 2016, the successful Topes, with the same factory name, ring gauge 56, length: 125mm.

The tasting notes of Trinidad’s standard vitola portfolio and their matching relations make up a gamut of alternatives capable of reigning among those faithful fans of Habanos, which only the most authentic and never-failing matching can achieve:

Trinidad Fundadores
Sizes: Ring Gauge  40 x 192  mm long
It is one of the classic Habanos vitola. It starts with a mild flavor having an impressive aromatic richness. Woody aroma, soft floral notes; roasted notes resembling nuts, and honeyed notes —all of them well-balanced— are among the aromas we can enjoy. Bitter aromas are moderate, elegant, and the aftertaste looks long and harmonious with a strong capacity to eventually improve.
It is a Habano for experienced connoisseurs. It needs technique to smoke a cigar; due to its diameter, the puff cannot be quick as it may be overheated, affecting the flavor. Take your time to puff on this exceptional Habano. This Habano should be paired with aging rums:
Highly recommended:  Havana Club San Cristobal 480 Aniversario and Havana Club 15 years old rum.
These are aged rums structured with a lingering aftertaste consistent with the end of this classic Habano.
Recommended: Glenlivet 18 years old Single Malt. Highland. This is one of the Single Malts I appreciate the most. Paired with this silky, structured Habano, it provides a longstanding aftertaste.
I enjoy Fundadores with a Taittinger Comtes champagne, an imposing blanc de blancs with a lot of richness of taste, which perfectly matches with that vitola.

Reyes
Sizes: Ring Gauge 40 x 110 mm long
Impeccable made, with slight earthy and balsamic notes. This modest cigar is top with its intense roasted aroma and cocoa notes. Its aromatic richness is remarkable. Very pleasant smoke with a profound and long finish. I rather match it with modern, aged rum made in central Cuba.
Highly recommended: Cubay 10 years old
Soft, balanced, velvety rum with a long, but elegant aftertaste. A matching to remember.
Recommended: Cardhu Single Malt. Speyside
This single malt is quite demanding for the proposal made by Reyes. Both achieve a very good relationship.

Coloniales
Sizes: Ring Gauge 44  x 110 mm long
The first puffs are structured with an interesting aromatic richness, earthy profile with woody notes and permanent roasted notes. It is complex in the tasting phase, highlighting the musk and mushroom. It has one of the most intense long aftertaste aromas. A Habano that conveys power and virility with a finish to remember.
Highly recommended: Havana Club 15 years old
From the Havana Club iconic collection, it gathers power and longevity. It seems particularly suitable for this intense Trinidad.
Glefiddich 15 years old Single Malt. Speyside, a single malt of remarkable complexity and great taste richness, long and silky mouthfeel.

Vigía
Sizes: Ring Gauge 54 x 110 mm long
Singular vitola with notes of orange peel, wood, rich with earthy tips, soft, well-structured, with strong aromatic power highlighting balsamic, eucalyptus, and permeated with woody flavor triggering a delicious bitter finish common in Cuba’s dark tobacco. It is complemented with the Whisky Vintage reserve and the aged rum in a suggestible finish. Both suggestible beverages are pairing collections.
Highly recommended: Cuba Remedio rum 500 Aniversario
The combination of both is certainly irresistible. This aged rum, complex in its aromas and flavors: round, velvety with a seducing aftertaste, compensates for the elegant puff of such small but respectable Habano. At the same level of the Single malt.

Glenrothes Vintage Reserve. De Speyside.
The ultimate expression of Glenrothes style. This multi-award-winning single malt collects 10 vintages; 1992, 1991, and 2001 among others. It is delicious, rich mouthfeel with malty notes very well embedded, seductive and multifaceted in aromas, pretty close to the Kings’ powers.

Tasting and Matching of Trinidad Limited Edition
Trinidad Topes Limited Edition 2016 has had marked success in the international specialized media. Its filler or blend is known due to its mild character, well balance and long, elegant puff. It is also known by its brilliant, oily dark wrapper.
At first, Topes is dense and rich in aromas with floral and spicy notes. Complex in the aftertaste with a lingering and balanced mouthfeel, it stands out for its creaminess as well as the joy of its tasting richness.
It is a Trinidad, different in its structure, velvety with an interesting potential to eventually improve.
Highly recommended: Ron Santiago 20 years old
Rich in the aromatic profile with oak and roasted notes; nuances of cocoa and nuts such as walnuts; vanilled. I love it paired with the Topes as both have similar profiles.
Recommended: Single malt Glenmorangie Nectar d’Or Sauternes cask.
A single malt with a rare finesse, delicate, pioneer in the use of barrel finish. The Sauternes’ cask provides caramel and a lovely toasted brioche note. Elegant mouthfeel with this Trinidad.