What Are Cuban Regional Edition Cigars? A Collector's Guide
If you've spent any time browsing Cuban cigars, you've probably come across a box marked with a second, brightly coloured band reading something like "Exclusivo Gran Bretana." These are Cuban Regional Edition cigars - some of the rarest, most collectible Habanos in the world, and a favourite among serious aficionados looking for something beyond the standard portfolio.
In this guide, we'll explain exactly what Regional Editions are, how the programme works, why they matter to collectors, and what to look for before you add one to your humidor.
The Origins of the Regional Edition Programme
Habanos S.A., the state-run company that oversees all Cuban cigar production and export, launched the Edicion Regional programme in 2005, giving its worldwide distributors an annual opportunity to commission special, exclusive cigars for their own region. Rather than drawing from Cuba's biggest global names like Cohiba or Montecristo, the programme originally restricted these releases to Habanos' smaller "niche" brands - houses with rich heritage but a lower international profile, such as Ramon Allones, Por Larranaga, Bolivar, El Rey del Mundo and San Cristobal de la Habana.
The idea was simple but effective: give each market a cigar it could genuinely call its own, made in a size that brand had never produced before.
How a Regional Edition Is Made
Every Regional Edition follows a strict set of rules set by Habanos S.A.:
- A new size for the brand. The cigars must use a standard, current-production factory size that isn't already available under that particular brand - so a Regional Edition is never just a repackaged existing cigar.
- No repeats. Since 2016, a region cannot use the same brand two years running, keeping the programme fresh and preventing any one house from dominating a market's releases.
- Genuine scarcity. Distributors submit a single proposal a year, and demand for the privilege is high - Habanos reportedly receives 30 to 35 requests for Regional Edition cigars annually, but only a small number are approved for release.
- Numbered, limited production. Boxes are individually numbered, and once a run sells out, it is never reproduced - a large part of what drives long-term collector value.
The UK's Own Regional Editions
Britain has one of the longest and most respected Regional Edition histories of any market. Since 2005, Hunters & Frankau - the official UK distributor of Habanos - has been invited to bid for the chance to develop its own exclusive cigars in select non-global brands, and was among the pioneers of the entire project with the Ramon Allones Belicoso Fino, one of the very first Regional Edition releases anywhere in the world.
Since their debut, UK Regional Editions have built a loyal following, with standout releases from brands including Por Larranaga, Ramon Allones and Bolivar. Every genuine UK release carries a distinctive red and white "Exclusivo Gran Bretana" secondary band, sits in a numbered box, and is rolled by some of Cuba's most experienced torcedores, using the same tobacco and quality standards as any other Habano.
Some of the most talked-about UK releases include:
- Por Larranaga Sobresalientes (2014) - a 6-inch, 53 ring gauge cigar and one of the only Regional Editions to reach the market that year, praised for its herbal, caramel and cocoa notes.
- Juan Lopez Seleccion Superba (2016) - a Geniales format (5 7/8 x 54) that marked the second time Juan Lopez had been chosen for a UK Regional Edition, following the Seleccion Suprema of 2009; produced in a run of just 6,000 numbered boxes and recreated an old Juan Lopez band design found in a vintage cigar band album.
- Ramon Allones Private Stock 230 (2020/2022) - created to mark Hunters & Frankau's 230-year history as the UK's Habanos distributor, produced in a strictly limited run of 3,600 numbered boxes.
Why Collectors Chase Regional Editions
For serious Habanos collectors, Regional Editions offer something the standard range simply can't: a genuinely finite production run tied to a specific place and moment.
Once a box sells out, that's it - there's no reissue, no second run, no "back in stock" email.
That scarcity, combined with the storytelling behind each release (an anniversary, a distributor's heritage, a nod to a historic band or vitola), is what turns a Regional Edition into more than just a cigar - it becomes a piece of Habanos history. It's also why prices for older, sold-out boxes can climb well above their original retail price on the secondary market.
If you're building a collection, three things are worth checking before you buy:
- Provenance. Buy only from an authorised Habanos retailer to guarantee authenticity and correct EMS/box coding.
- Condition and storage. Ask how the boxes have been stored - humidity control matters enormously for a cigar you may be holding for years.
- The story behind the release. Understanding why a particular Regional Edition was made often tells you as much about its long-term desirability as its rarity does.
Explore Regional Editions at MK Cigars
Regional Editions capture something the wider Habanos range can't: a genuinely limited, numbered piece of Cuban cigar history made for one market and one moment.
Whether you're adding to an established collection or looking for a standout gift, they reward a little research before you buy.
Browse our current selection of Cuban cigars, or get in touch with our team if you're looking for a specific Regional Edition for your collection.