San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes Casa del Habano

What Most People Get Wrong About San Cristóbal de la Habana Mercaderes

Here’s the thing everyone screws up when they first encounter the San Cristóbal de la Habana Mercaderes – they expect it to be some kind of powerhouse Cuban that’ll knock their socks off. I’ve watched countless guys at various la casa del habano locations over the years pick this stick up thinking it’s gonna be the next Cohiba Behike or something equally earth-shattering.

Wrong. Dead wrong.

The Mercaderes is subtle. It’s refined in a way that’ll make you work for its secrets, and honestly? That’s exactly what makes it brilliant. I’ve been smoking Cubans for over two decades now, and I can tell you this particular vitola has taught me more about patience than my ex-wife ever did (and that’s saying something).

Look, I get it. When you’re dropping decent money on a Cuban cigar, especially if you’re picking one up at one of those fancy Casa del Habano shops in Havana or wherever, you want fireworks. You want drama. The Mercaderes Casa del Habano exclusive doesn’t give you that – at least not in the way you’d expect.

My First Dance with the Mercaderes

I’ll never forget my first Mercaderes. This was back in 2018, and I was at the Casa del Habano in the Hotel Nacional in Havana (if you’ve never been, put it on your list – the humidor there is something else). The guy behind the counter, Carlos I think his name was, recommended it when I asked for something “different but not experimental.”

Honestly? I was skeptical. The San Cristóbal marca has always been a bit of an odd duck in the Cuban lineup. It’s not as prestigious as Cohiba, doesn’t have the working-class charm of Partagás, and lacks the historical weight of Romeo y Julieta. But Carlos insisted, and when a Cuban tobacco guy insists, you listen.

The first thing that struck me was the construction. Perfect. Not a single soft spot, beautiful wrapper with just enough tooth to let you know it means business. The pre-light draw had this interesting vegetal quality – not grassy exactly, but like walking through a garden after morning rain. Promising.

Then I lit it up on the hotel’s terrace overlooking the Malecón, and… nothing earth-shattering happened. Which was perfect.

The Flavor Journey (But Not How You’d Expect)

Forget everything you’ve read about “first third, second third, final third” nonsense. The Mercaderes doesn’t work that way. It’s more like getting to know someone interesting at a party – the conversation starts light, gets deeper as you both relax, and by the end you’re sharing stories you don’t tell just anyone.

Right off the bat, you’re getting cedar and cream. Nothing shocking there – it’s Cuban tobacco doing what Cuban tobacco does. But stick with it. Around the halfway point (and I’m talking about maybe 30-40 minutes in if you’re smoking it right), something interesting happens. The cream starts to take on this almost floral quality, and there’s a hint of white pepper that wasn’t there before.

Now, I’ve heard some reviewers talk about “barnyard” notes in San Cristóbal cigars, and honestly? I think they’re full of it. What they’re picking up on is earthiness – good, clean earth. Not funky, not off-putting. It’s like the difference between a freshly tilled garden and… well, an actual barnyard.

The final act is where this cigar really shows its class. Most Cubans either peter out or get harsh toward the nub. The Mercaderes gets sweeter. There’s this honey note that creeps in, balanced perfectly by a coffee undertone that never gets bitter. I’ve smoked these down to less than an inch without any of that acrid nastiness that ruins so many otherwise good cigars.

What I Pair It With (And What You Shouldn’t)

Okay, here’s where I might ruffle some feathers. Everyone wants to pair their Cuban cigars with rum or cognac, and look – I get the romance of it. But the Mercaderes works better with coffee. Specifically, I’ve had incredible experiences pairing it with Cuban coffee (obviously) but also with a good Colombian single-origin.

I had one memorable session with a Mercaderes and a cup of Jamaican Blue Mountain at a Casa del Habano in Mexico City (great location, by the way – their selection is phenomenal). The coffee’s brightness played beautifully against the cigar’s earthiness.

If you’re dead set on alcohol, try it with a good aged rum, but go for something elegant like Zacapa 23 or even better, if you can find it, Havana Club Máximo Extra Añejo. The sweet complexity matches what the cigar’s doing without overpowering it.

What doesn’t work? Whiskey. Sorry, I know that’s sacrilege to some of you, but whiskey (even a good single malt) just steamrolls over everything subtle this cigar is trying to tell you. Save the Macallan for your Partagás.

Who Should Smoke This (And Who Definitely Shouldn’t)

This isn’t a beginner’s cigar, and I don’t care what anyone says about it being “medium-bodied.” It’s not about strength – it’s about sophistication. If you’re new to cigars, start with something more straightforward like a Montecristo No. 4 or a Romeo y Julieta Churchill. Come back to the Mercaderes when you’ve developed your palate enough to appreciate subtlety.

It’s perfect for experienced smokers who want something contemplative. I’ve shared these with friends during long conversations about life, philosophy, that sort of thing. It’s not a “celebration” cigar – it’s a “thinking” cigar.

Skip it entirely if you’re the type who needs bold, in-your-face flavors. If your go-to Cuban is a Partagás Serie D No. 4 or anything from the Cohiba Maduro line, the Mercaderes will probably bore you to tears.

Storage and Handling Tips

Here’s something most people don’t realize about Casa del Habano exclusives – they often come with slightly higher moisture content than regular production cigars. I learned this the hard way after storing some Mercaderes with my regular collection and having them get too humid.

Keep them at 65% humidity, maybe even 63% if you can manage it. They’ll smoke better, and you’ll avoid any burn issues. These cigars want to be dry-ish when you light them up.

Also, and this is crucial – let them rest. I don’t care if you bought them at the most prestigious la casa del habano locations in the world, they need at least a month in your humidor before they’re ready to smoke. I’ve noticed the best ones I’ve had were aged at least six months after purchase.

The Controversial Take Nobody Wants to Hear

Alright, here’s my unpopular opinion: I think the Mercaderes is better than most Cohiba cigars. There, I said it.

I’m not talking about the ultra-premium Cohiba lines – the Behike series and such. But your standard Cohiba Robusto or Esplendido? The Mercaderes has more character, more complexity, and frankly, better value.

Cohiba has become the victim of its own hype. People buy them for the band, not the tobacco. The Mercaderes, being a Casa del Habano exclusive, flies under the radar. It’s made with the same quality tobacco, often rolled by the same torcedores, but without the inflated price tag and ego.

I’ve done blind tastings with friends (admittedly, after a few drinks) where the Mercaderes beat out cigars costing twice as much. That should tell you something.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these really only available at Casa del Habano stores?

Officially? Yes. The Mercaderes Casa del Habano edition is supposed to be exclusive to authorized Casa del Habano locations worldwide. In practice, you’ll sometimes find them at other premium retailers, but they’re getting them through backdoor channels. I’ve seen them at a few high-end shops in Europe that weren’t technically Casa del Habano locations, but those are exceptions.

How do they compare to regular San Cristóbal de la Habana cigars?

The regular production San Cristóbal cigars are… fine. Nothing special, honestly. The Mercaderes Casa del Habano uses better tobacco selection and seems to get more attention during production. It’s like comparing a mass-market wine to a small-batch bottle from the same vineyard.

What’s the smoking time?

Plan on 90 minutes to two hours if you’re smoking it properly. These aren’t cigars you want to rush. I’ve stretched them to almost three hours during particularly good conversations, and they handle the slow burn beautifully.

Are they worth the premium price?

That depends on what you consider premium. They’re more expensive than regular production Cubans but less than most ultra-premium lines. For the quality and exclusivity, I think they’re fairly priced. Not a bargain, but not a rip-off either.

Look, at the end of the day, the San Cristóbal de la Habana Mercaderes Casa del Habano isn’t going to change your life or make you rethink everything you know about Cuban cigars. What it will do is give you a damn good smoke if you approach it with the right expectations and enough patience to let it show you what it’s got. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.