Juan López Releases a New Cuban Regional — Selección Cubana

Earlier this year, Cuban cigar enthusiasts in Havana were introduced to a new regional-exclusive release: the Juan López Selección Cubana, an Edición Regional cigar produced exclusively for the Cuban market. The release marks the first time the Juan López brand has received a Cuba-exclusive Regional Edition, further expanding the long-running Edición Regional program from Habanos S.A..

The cigar is produced in the popular Edmundo vitola, measuring 135mm (5 3/8 inches) with a 52-ring gauge. The format has become increasingly popular among modern Cuban cigar smokers due to its balance of richness, smoke output, and approachable smoking time. According to Cuban Cigar Website, the Selección Cubana is packaged in numbered semi boîte nature boxes of 10 cigars and was originally designated as a 2023 release before finally reaching retailers in early 2026.

An official presentation for the cigar was held in January at Havana’s Gran Muthu Hotel, where invited guests participated in a pairing experience featuring Isla Grande rum alongside the new release. The cigar officially arrived on sale in Cuba on March 1, timing that many believe was intended to align with the postponed Festival del Habano XXVI, which traditionally attracts cigar collectors and enthusiasts from around the world.

While official pricing has not yet been broadly confirmed, the release has already generated significant interest among collectors due to both its Cuba-only availability and the strong reputation of the Juan López marca. Founded in the 1870s by Spanish businessman Juan López Díaz, the brand remains one of Cuba’s more understated yet highly respected labels. According to Habanos S.A., the brand has developed a loyal following among experienced smokers, particularly for the well-known Selección No. 1 and Selección No. 2 cigars.

The Edición Regional program itself has become one of the most collectible segments within the Cuban cigar world. Under the program, distributors representing specific countries or regions may commission exclusive cigars using vitolas not currently found within that brand’s standard production portfolio. These releases are traditionally identified by a secondary red-and-silver “Edición Regional” band, though newer releases increasingly feature alternate regional markings such as “Exclusivo Cuba.”

Although this is the first Cuba-exclusive Regional Edition for Juan López, the brand has a long history within the Edición Regional series. Previous regional releases have included the Juan López Supreme for Canada, Selección Suprema for the United Kingdom, Don Juan 1622 for France, Gran Patagón for the Cono Sur region, Valkyria for the Nordic countries, and the recent Cincuenta y Cuatro for Spain.

The new Selección Cubana continues that tradition while reinforcing the growing popularity of Juan López among collectors seeking medium-to-full-bodied Cuban cigars with strong aging potential. Many aficionados consider the brand one of Cuba’s hidden gems, known for producing rich, woody, and balanced flavor profiles that tend to evolve exceptionally well over time.