After facing delays, the Quai d’Orsay Sélection Royale, a regional cigar edition, is set to be released next week. Created specifically for the Swiss market, this Cuban cigar was originally planned for release in 2020 and serves as a commemoration of Intertabak A.G.’s 25th anniversary, Switzerland’s official distributor of Cuban cigars.

The Sélection Royale is a 7 1/4 inch long cigar with a 50 ring gauge and a “109”-style head, similar to a belicoso but with a less pointed shape. It will be packaged in slide-lid cabinets of 50 with a decorative outer box featuring outlines of popular Swiss attractions such as the Matterhorn and Chapel Bridge in Lucerne. Only 1,600 boxes will be released, marking the first time a Quai d’Orsay Regional Edition has been produced for Switzerland and the third time the country has released a Regional in the 109 format.

Collectors and cigar enthusiasts eagerly await the release of these unique and limited-edition cigars, and the Quai d’Orsay Sélection Royale is expected to be a popular addition to their collections. The suggested retail price of a box is 1,500 Swiss Francs, equivalent to $1,623, or 30 Swiss Francs ($32.50) per cigar. The cigars will first be available on March 28 at La Casa del Habano shops before being released to the rest of the country on April 4.

Producing regional cigars offers a variety of benefits for both the cigar industry and consumers. For manufacturers, it provides an opportunity to showcase their skills by creating unique blends and designs specifically for a particular market. It also allows them to collaborate with local distributors and retailers to better understand the preferences and tastes of consumers in different regions.

For cigar enthusiasts and collectors, regional editions provide an opportunity to own a rare and limited edition cigar that is not widely available. These cigars are highly sought after by collectors who value their uniqueness and often become valuable items in their collections. The Quai d’Orsay Sélection Royale is just one example of the excitement and anticipation that regional editions can generate in the cigar world.