Habanos S.A. has announced two new Partagas cigars for 2011, the Serie E No. 2 and the Serie D No. 5. The Serie E No. 2 measures 5.5 inches with a 54 ring gauge; the Serie D No. 5 is a petit robusto measuring only 4 3/8 inches with a 50 ring gauge. According to Habanos S.A. Marketing Director Ana Lopez, the reason for the small size of the Serie D No. 5 is that it provides a shorter duration smoke, making it possible to distribute it to customers in countries which have severe restrictions on cigar smoking. The Serie E No. 2 on the other hand is the first Partagas cigar available in Duke size.

Previously, the Partagas Serie D No. 5 was included in Edición Limitada in 2008. Only now has it become available over the long term as part of standard production.

Another cigar being introduced into S.A. Habanos’ distribution line is the 3.5 inch 44 ring gauge H. Upmann Half Corona. This very small cigar is being marketed toward novice smokers.

Collectors and those with deep pockets might be interested in acquiring one of the 5,000 boxes of yet another released cigar, the Montecristo No. 2 Gran Reserva.

Some lucky guests as the Habanos Festival were able to preview some of the new releases over the past several days. The rest of us will have to be patient.