Cuaba profile, selected by vitola, provenance and storage condition.
Cuaba Salomon Box of 10s: Cuban cigar from Cuaba, showing cedar, cream, espresso, cocoa.
The Cuaba Salomón is the marque's grand statement — a 178mm by 53 ring gauge figurado that ranks among the most ambitious shapes still rolled by Cuban hands. Presented in boxes of ten, this Medium-Full cigar demands the fullest commitment of time and attention from the smoker. The Salomón is a historic vitola that had largely disappeared from commercial production before Cuaba's 1996 revival brought it back from the edge of extinction. To smoke one is to participate in a tradition that reaches back to the golden age of Havana cigar making.
From the first light, the Salomón announces its scale. The wide, flared foot ignites with a rush of cedar smoke, carrying initial notes of sweet hay, vanilla pod, and a gentle baking spice. Because the cigar's diameter varies dramatically along its length — narrowing at the head, bulging through the centre — the smoker experiences shifting ratios of wrapper, binder, and filler as the burn progresses, creating a dynamic, evolving profile that no parejo can replicate. The early thirds favour cream, toasted almond, and a honeyed sweetness that coats the palate.
As the burn narrows toward the head, the flavour concentrates markedly. Dark chocolate and espresso move to the fore, backed by roasted walnut and a building black pepper that pricks the retrohale. The final third is intense and compact, delivering concentrated shots of charred oak, leather, and cocoa nib. The finish lingers extraordinarily long, reverberating with toasted nut and sweet spice. A well-constructed Salomón provides one of the most complete experiences in all of Cuban cigar craft — a two-hour journey through a spectrum few other vitolas can sustain.
The Salomón is widely regarded as one of the most challenging shapes a torcedor can roll. The bulbous centre must be firmly packed while the tapered head and foot require precise tension management to prevent draw issues. Cuaba's rollers, trained specifically in figurado technique, use select Vuelta Abajo leaf with the elasticity needed to navigate the dramatic curves. The result, when executed properly, is a cool, even burn with a draw that opens progressively as the cigar widens.
Given the Salomón's length and depth, pair with a spirit of equal stamina: an aged single malt from the Highlands offers heather honey and oak that track the cigar's evolution. A vintage port sipped slowly alongside the final third complements the concentrated chocolate and spice.
The box of ten presentation suits collectors who appreciate the Salomón's ceremonial nature. As one of the few regularly produced grand figurados in the Habanos portfolio, it holds enduring appeal for those who value the craftsmanship of historic vitolas.
Founded in 1996, Cuaba single-handedly revived the Salomón and other forgotten figurado shapes. Named after a native Cuban wood used to light cigars, the brand remains a guardian of pre-Revolution rolling traditions. Visit Wikipedia and Habanos S.A. for more.
Store the box at 65–70% humidity. The Salomón's large diameter means it responds slowly to humidity changes; allow ample stabilisation time after transport. Keep the box elevated in the humidor to ensure air circulation around the figurados.
How long does the Cuaba Salomón take to smoke?
Expect a leisurely 90 to 120 minutes. The Salomón is designed for extended contemplation and should never be rushed, as smoking too quickly will overheat the blend and mute its complexity.
Why is the Salomón considered difficult to roll?
The shape requires the torcedor to manage dramatically varying diameters along the cigar's length, maintaining consistent fill density and draw while negotiating two tapered sections and a bulbous middle. Only experienced figurado rollers are assigned this vitola.
Every cigar we ship is a genuine Cuban Habano — hand-rolled in Havana, warranty-sealed by Habanos S.A., and chosen for its balance, aroma and character.
Each cigar is rolled by skilled artisans with generations of craftsmanship.
Grown in Cuba's most prestigious region, renowned for exceptional quality.
Carefully aged to enhance flavor, aroma, and smoothness.
Cuban government warranty seal on every single box.
