A limited edition of 8,888 boxes, each containing 18 cigars.

For years, Oettinger Davidoff has been releasing cigars linked to the Chinese zodiac calendar. The success of the annual release attracted other cigar manufacturers to follow suit. The number of “Year of the” cigars is growing every year.

In 2019, the Spanish Habanos distributor joined onto the Chinese New Year bandwagon. They brought 3000 boxes of Cohiba Robusto to the market. The cigars, wrapped with a Year of the Pig foot band, sold out quickly.

That success was reason enough to join the Zodiac craze with the Romeo y Julieta Maravillas 8 for the Year of the Rat in 2020.

Following that success, the cigar with which Habanos S.A. is celebrating the Year of the Ox is the Hoyo de Moterrey Primaveras.

It made its debut on January 13 via a virtual event hosted in Hong Kong by Pacific Cigar Co, the distributor of Habanos S.A. products in the Asia-Pacific region.

The launch featured Leopoldo Cintra Gonzalez, Habanos S.A.’s commercial vice-president, and Jose Maria Lopez Inchaurbe, development vice-president.

About 200 guests attended the exclusive launch live, while over 60 individual and cigar lounges logged in to learn more about the cigar.

The limited edition for the Year of the Ox hit retail stores in the area on January 14, with other parts of the world receiving it in the near future, although Habanos S.A. has yet to announce when that will happen.

The Primaveras is a grand corona that measures 6.6 inches (167 mm) long and has a 48 ring gauge, a parejo vitola known as the Hermosos No. 1. It is the same size as the San Cristobal Mercaderes, a La Casa del Habano exclusive release, as well as the Romeo y Julieta Hermosos No. 1 Edición Limitada 2003 and the Montecristo Dantés Edición Limitada 2016.

The band that is used is the classic of the Hoyo de Monterrey brand, and the foot is protected by an additional band bearing the red and gold effigy of an Ox.

A total of 8,888 boxes of 18 cigars are being released, with the numbers a nod to the number 8, which is an auspicious number in Chinese culture. Each box boasts a red and gold colour scheme, which is not only the colours of Hoyo de Monterrey but also meaningful colours in Chinese culture, as red symbolises good fortune and joy, while yellow or gold symbolises wealth.

Pricing has not yet been announced, but an unconfirmed report by Cigar Aficionado indicates it will sell for USD88.35 per cigar, which would mean a full box would be priced at just under USD1,600. As with all Habanos S.A. releases, pricing can vary widely based on the region in which the cigar is sold.

Hoyo de Monterrey is one of the most prestigious brands of Habanos. One of the brand’s most distinguishing features is its mild strength. It will be a good option for the most expert smokers of what is considered the world’s best tobacco.

Vitola:  Hermosos No.1

Ring Gauge: 48

Cigar Lenght: 167 mm / 6.6″

Body: Medium

Aroma: Earth

Duration: 60-90 minutes