A Coterie of Aged Cuban Cigars From U.K. Distributor Hunters & Frankau

[JohnS]

A Coterie of Aged Cuban Cigars From U.K. Distributor Hunters & Frankau

Oct 20, 2025 - By Gregory Mottola

Photos/Hunters & Frankau 

Have you ever smoked a Cuban Montecristo with a decade of age? In celebration of Montecristo’s 90th anniversary this year, British Cuban cigar distributor Hunters & Frankau is releasing a series of Montecristos that have been aging in its warehouses for 10 years. Hunters is also offering a collection of every Regional Edition Por Larrañaga cigar ever produced for the United Kingdom. 

The matured assemblage of Montecristos are officially called House Reserve Aged & Rare—Montecristo 90th Anniversary Special Release, and it’s made up of four of the brand’s original sizes: No.2 through No. 5. Only 135 numbered boxes of each size are being launched. Naturally, with extra age comes some extra cost. Every 10-count box will retail as follows: No. 2 (£589.95 or around $792); No. 3 (£413.25, or $555); No. 4 (£336.45, or $452); and No. 5 (£251.70 or $338). A foot band denotes the aged statement of every cigar. 

This wouldn’t be the first time that Hunters has released aged cigars to the market. In 2021, the distributor offered a wide variety of brands with some cigars as old as two decades. 

Hunters & Frankau is also releasing 100 boxes of the Montecristo 520 Edición Limitada from 2012. These are packaged 10 per box as well. 

If you prefer the Por Larrañaga brand, and you missed any of the United Kingdom’s Por Larrañaga Regional Edition cigars, Hunters has put them all in a humidor and included a lighter and cutter from French accessories company S.T. Dupont. The humidor was produced by Italian company DeART S.r.l. Each humidor contains the following:

•     10 Por Larrañaga Magnificos (2007)
•     10 Por Larrañaga Regalias de Londres (2010)
•     10 Por Larrañaga Sobresalientes (2014)
•     20 Por Larrañaga Larrañaga 47 (2021)
•     One S.T. Dupont cigar cutter (engraved with “Collection No. 3”)
•     One S.T. Dupont Ligne 2 lighter (engraved with “Collection No. 3”)

In 2022, Hunters presented a similar retrospective package containing its portfolio of Regional Edition Ramon Allones cigars. 

Hunters & Frankau has yet to disclose the retail price for this Por Larrañaga collection, but one can safely assume it will not be cheap. 

Source: https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/a-coterie-of-aged-cuban-cigars-from-u-k-distributor-hunters-frankau

[ha_banos]

I'm curious to see if these 'fly off the shelf.' Other than that, I won't be partaking I guess.

 

[gormag38]

I feel like I've heard some 'old timers' talk about how good the Monte 520s were. I'd love to try one but I'm sure they won't be cheap! 

[MrBirdman]

I wouldn’t buy any of those aged Montecristos over fresh versions even at the same price - I like my Monte with less than 10 years of age, and only the Double Edmundo and skinnies even have legs left at that point, at least to my palate. 

Good luck to HF though, if they’re priced right they should still move. 

[ha_banos]

1 hour ago, MrBirdman said:

I wouldn’t buy any of those aged Montecristos over fresh versions even at the same price - I like my Monte with less than 10 years of age, and only the Double Edmundo and skinnies even have legs left at that point, at least to my palate. 

Good luck the HF though, if they’re priced right they should still move. 

Looks like 180£ a stick.

Monte 5 2015 27£ each

Monte 2 2015 59£ each

Lol didn't look too bad from UK current pricing ridiculously! 

Still no. I'll stick to Banos House reserve 10+ years aged 😎

[Cestis4]

Recently smoked a Monte 80th anniversary in London. Incredible stick. Still paying for it.  

[JohnS]

Hunters & Frankau Unveil New House Reserve Release

 October 26, 2025 - Press Release 

Since the late 20th century, Hunters & Frankau has carefully set aside noteworthy Havana cigars to age in perfect conditions for their House Reserve collection. Starting in 2019, small quantities have been released in Britain, presented either under the House Reserve Aged & Rare label or in specially commissioned humidors as part of the House Reserve Series 1790.

On 15 October 2025, Hunters & Frankau welcomed leading members of the UK cigar trade to Coq d’Argent in London for the unveiling of their latest House Reserve releases.

To commemorate the 90th Anniversary of Montecristo, Hunters & Frankau introduced a special Aged & Rare House Reserve selection — a fitting tribute to the world’s most iconic cigar brand. The release comprises 135 numbered boxes of each size, representing four of the five original vitolas that launched Montecristo in 1935: No.2, No.3, No.4 and No.5 — a total of 540 boxes, each aged for ten years within Hunters & Frankau’s reserve. In addition, 100 numbered boxes of the highly regarded 2012 Habanos Limited Edition Montecristo 520 have also been made available, each cigar carrying the distinctive Aged & Rare foot band and housed within boxes wrapped in a commemorative band created especially for the occasion.

Alongside this, Hunters & Frankau revealed the House Reserve Series 1790: Collection No.3, honouring Por Larrañaga — the oldest Cuban cigar brand still in production. Just fifty numbered humidors have been commissioned from Italian humidor specialists DeART S.r.l., each containing fifty cigars representing the four Por Larrañaga vitolas previously selected as UK Habanos Regional Editions: Magníficos (2007), Regalias de Londres (2010), Sobresalientes (2014), and the Larrañaga 47 (2023).

To complement the release, Hunters & Frankau partnered with Parisian luxury house S.T. Dupont to create a bespoke cigar cutter and Ligne 2 lighter set. Each piece is engraved with the Series 1790 emblem and individually numbered to correspond with its humidor — the cutter ingeniously folding into a cigar rest, and the lighter featuring the brand’s signature “cling” and double flame designed for cigars of generous ring gauge.

Speaking at the event, Jemma Freeman, Executive Chairman of Hunters & Frankau, said:
“The House Reserve is a testament to our commitment to preserving the finest Havana cigars and presenting them at their peak maturity. With the Montecristo 90th Anniversary release and the Series 1790 Collection No.3, we are proud to offer aficionados something truly exceptional and unique to the UK market.”

Copyright © 2025 Hunters & Frankau

Source: https://www.cigarjournal.com/hunters-frankau-unveil-new-house-reserve-release/

[Fuzz AI]

On 10/23/2025 at 11:49 PM, gormag38 said:

I feel like I've heard some 'old timers' talk about how good the Monte 520s were. I'd love to try one but I'm sure they won't be cheap! 

I preferred the Monte Grand Edmundo LE 2010 over the 520.

[gormag38]

4 hours ago, Fuzz AI said:

I preferred the Monte Grand Edmundo LE 2010 over the 520.

That's an LE that I haven't heard a whole lot about. Looking on CCW the size of the Grand Edmundo would seem to better suit me. I never realized the ring gauge on the 520s were a whopping 55! 

[JohnS]

The House Reserve Series 1790: Collection No.3

 October 29, 2025 - Press Release 

Hunters & Frankau is pleased to announce the release of the third instalment from our House Reserve Series 1790, the Por Larrañaga Collection No.3.

For more than twenty years, Hunters & Frankau has carefully selected a small number of exceptional Havana cigars to rest within its House Reserve. These cigars have been stored under perfect conditions of temperature and humidity, allowing them to mature slowly and develop greater depth and refinement. Since 2019, small quantities from this reserve have been released for sale in the UK, either in their original boxes under the Aged & Rare banner or as part of the House Reserve Series 1790 in specially commissioned humidors.

The latest addition to the House Reserve Series 1790 collection honours Por Larrañaga — the oldest Cuban cigar brand still in production. Just fifty numbered humidors have been commissioned from Italian humidor makers DeART S.r.l., each one containing fifty cigars representing the four Por Larrañaga vitolas that have been previously selected as UK Habanos Regional Editions: Magníficos (2007), Regalias de Londres (2010), Sobresalientes (2014) and the Larrañaga 47 (2023).

Each cigar is totally handmade, long-filler, and produced in Havana under the authority of Habanos S.A. using tobacco from the Vuelta Abajo region of Pinar del Río. Every one carries a dedicated foot band to identify it as part of Hunters & Frankau’s House Reserve Series 1790 Collection humidor.

To accompany this release, Hunters & Frankau has partnered with Parisian luxury goods company S.T. Dupont to create a bespoke cigar cutter and Ligne 2 lighter set. Each set is engraved with the Series 1790 emblem and individually numbered to match its corresponding humidor. The cutter folds open to form a cigar rest, while the lighter features the signature Dupont “cling” and a double flame ideal for cigars of generous ring gauge.

As with the Collection No.1 and Collection No.2, availability is extremely limited. The House Reserve Series 1790: Collection No.3 stands as a testament to Por Larrañaga’s enduring legacy and to Hunters & Frankau’s continued dedication to preserving the very best of Havana craftsmanship.

Copyright © 2025 Hunters & Frankau

Source: https://www.cigarjournal.com/the-house-reserve-series-1790-collection-no-3/