New Juan López Regional — Bésame Mucho, Mexico

A new Mexico-exclusive Cuban cigar is preparing to enter the market later this month, as the Juan López Bésame Mucho officially launches in Mexico on April 24 before arriving at retailers nationwide the following day.

The release joins the prestigious Edición Regional program from Habanos S.A. and was created exclusively for the Mexican market through distributor IEPT, the official importer of Cuban cigars in Mexico. The cigar is produced under the historic Juan López marque, a brand known among collectors for its rich, balanced profile and relatively limited production compared to Cuba’s larger global brands.

The Juan López Bésame Mucho is offered in the Sublimes vitola, measuring 164mm (6 1/2 inches) with a 54-ring gauge. The double robusto format has become a favorite choice for limited-edition Cuban releases over the past decade, particularly within the Edición Regional and Limited Edition programs due to its ability to deliver a fuller, more complex smoking experience while maintaining excellent draw and combustion characteristics.

The name “Bésame Mucho,” which translates to “kiss me a lot,” carries deep cultural significance in Mexico and throughout Latin America. The phrase became internationally famous through the legendary bolero song written by Mexican composer Consuelo Velázquez in 1932. First released in the 1940s, the song eventually became one of the most recognized Spanish-language compositions in history and remains one of the most recorded Latin songs ever produced across jazz, pop, and traditional music genres.

Within Cuba’s factory naming system, the Sublimes vitola has appeared only sparingly under the Juan López name. This marks just the second time the format has been selected for a Juan López Edición Regional release. The first came in 2016 with the Juan López Eminentes, a Swiss-market exclusive that became highly sought after among collectors due to its limited production and aging potential.

According to early retail information, the Juan López Bésame Mucho is expected to retail for approximately MXN$1,066 per cigar, or roughly $60 USD, though pricing may vary slightly between retailers and regions. Production quantities have not yet been officially disclosed by IEPT, adding further intrigue to the release among collectors and enthusiasts tracking modern Edición Regional cigars.

The official debut event will take place during Grand Cigar, a cigar and culinary event being hosted in Val’Quirico, a luxury destination located east of Mexico City near Puebla. The event is expected to attract cigar enthusiasts, retailers, and international collectors eager to experience the release before it reaches broader retail distribution.

The Edición Regional program itself continues to play a major role in the collectible Cuban cigar market. Under the initiative, regional distributors are permitted to commission exclusive cigars using vitolas not currently available within that brand’s regular production lineup. These releases are typically marked with the signature red-and-silver “Edición Regional” secondary band and are often produced in highly limited quantities, contributing to strong demand among collectors worldwide.