About the San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes Casa del Habano
The San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes belongs to a brand that pays tribute to Havana itself, drawing its name from the four fortresses that once guarded the colonial city. This particular cigar carries the name Mercaderes, the bustling Old Havana street where tobacco merchants gathered to talk trade in the capital’s early days, and it was released as an exclusive for the La Casa del Habano network of official Habanos stores. Crafted in the Hermoso No. 1 vitola, a grand corona measuring 6.5 inches (165 mm) with a 48 ring gauge, it is filled with leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region and finished with the brand’s signature double band. Discontinued years ago, surviving boxes have become a quietly sought-after piece of San Cristobal history.
Flavor profile by thirds
The opening third leans on clean cedar and a soft creaminess, with a faint floral and herbal lift on the retrohale. As the cigar settles into its middle stretch, expect notes of toasted bread, a touch of almond, and a subtle thread of honeyed sweetness that keeps things balanced rather than heavy. The final third deepens the wood and introduces a gentle leather note, with hints of coffee and cocoa rounding out a smoke that stays composed and medium in intensity from light to finish.
Pairings
- An aged Cuban rum, whose caramel and oak echo the cigar’s bread and honey character.
- A cup of freshly brewed espresso to mirror the gentle coffee notes in the later thirds.
- A lightly peated single malt for those who want a touch of contrast against the cedar.
Aging and storage
Keep this cigar in a well seasoned humidor held around 65 to 70 percent relative humidity and roughly 18 degrees Celsius, which protects the wrapper and lets the flavors settle. Given its already mature profile, the Mercaderes rewards patience: a few years of careful rest tends to soften any remaining edges and pull the cedar, almond, and leather into tighter harmony. Rotate your boxes occasionally and check your hygrometer so the smoke stays even and the draw stays generous.
Who it is for
This is a cigar for the smoker who values elegance over intensity and enjoys a longer, contemplative format. The grand corona size and medium body make it approachable for those moving beyond their first Cubans, yet the layered cedar, bread, and leather give experienced aficionados plenty to study. Collectors of San Cristobal and La Casa del Habano releases will also appreciate owning a discontinued chapter of the brand’s story.
Frequently asked questions
What size is the San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes?
It is a Hermoso No. 1, a grand corona that measures 6.5 inches (165 mm) with a 48 ring gauge, traditionally presented in boxes of 25.
How strong is this cigar?
The Mercaderes sits in the medium range, offering well defined cedar, toasted bread, and leather notes without the heaviness of a full bodied smoke.
Why does it carry a La Casa del Habano band?
It was produced as an exclusive release for the official La Casa del Habano store network, which is why it wears the additional LCDH band alongside the standard San Cristobal band.
Explore more
Browse all La Casa Del Habano cigars, or try the H Upmann Royal Robustos Casa del Habano and San Cristobal La Muralla Casa Del Habano. Store yours in a seasoned humidor and see our guide on how long cigars last. Learn more from the official Habanos S.A. site.
Sarah Johnson –
This is hands down one of the best cigars I’ve smoked this year. The San Cristobal San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes Casa del Habano exceeded all expectations. Rich, creamy smoke with complex notes of cocoa and pepper. Construction is perfect, ash holds firm. Worth every penny!
Richard Howard –
Good cigar but expected a bit more for the price. The San Cristobal San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes Casa del Habano delivered on flavor (cocoa and pepper) and construction, but lacked the complexity I was hoping for. Solid smoke, just not outstanding. Still enjoyable.
Patricia Rodriguez –
Five stars all the way! The San Cristobal San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes Casa del Habano is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of honey and tobacco. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Carol King –
Incredible cigar! The San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes Casa del Habano from San Cristobal is absolutely exceptional. Smooth, complex, and beautifully balanced. Got wonderful notes of nuts and earth throughout the smoke. Lasted about 88 minutes. Already ordering another box!
Mark Russell –
Decent cigar but not my favorite from San Cristobal. The San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes Casa del Habano has good flavor – nuts and earth – but didn’t wow me like other Cubans I’ve had. Construction was fine, burn was mostly even. It’s good, just not exceptional. Worth trying though.
Sharon Scott –
Best cigar I’ve had in a long time! San Cristobal really knocked it out of the park with the San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes Casa del Habano. Rich flavor profile featuring cedar and spice, perfect draw, and excellent burn. Can’t recommend this enough!
Roger Webb –
Absolutely outstanding cigar! The San Cristobal San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes Casa del Habano delivers exceptional quality from start to finish. Rich, complex flavors with notes of nuts and earth. Perfect construction and draw. This is what premium Cuban cigars are all about. Highly recommended!
Steven Ross –
The San Cristobal San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes Casa del Habano is a quality cigar. Nice balance of flavor and strength. I enjoyed the honey and tobacco notes throughout. Construction was very good with only one minor touch-up needed. Good cigar for experienced smokers.
Kimberly Roberts –
Top-tier quality from San Cristobal. The San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes Casa del Habano showcases everything I love about Cuban cigars – impeccable craftsmanship, smooth draw, and layers of flavor. Picked up notes of honey and tobacco. Burned evenly throughout. A must-try for any serious aficionado!
Deborah Stewart –
The San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes Casa del Habano is a respectable cigar. Nice notes of cedar and spice, decent construction. However, I found it a bit one-dimensional compared to other San Cristobal offerings. Not bad, but there are better options in this price range.
Brandon Wright –
This is hands down one of the best cigars I’ve smoked this year. The San Cristobal San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes Casa del Habano exceeded all expectations. Rich, creamy smoke with complex notes of cedar and spice. Construction is perfect, ash holds firm. Worth every penny!
Andrew Thompson –
The San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes Casa del Habano is a respectable cigar. Nice notes of leather and wood, decent construction. However, I found it a bit one-dimensional compared to other San Cristobal offerings. Not bad, but there are better options in this price range.
Patricia Rodriguez –
Decent cigar but not my favorite from San Cristobal. The San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes Casa del Habano has good flavor – leather and wood – but didn’t wow me like other Cubans I’ve had. Construction was fine, burn was mostly even. It’s good, just not exceptional. Worth trying though.
Jennifer Brown –
Absolutely outstanding cigar! The San Cristobal San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes Casa del Habano delivers exceptional quality from start to finish. Rich, complex flavors with notes of honey and tobacco. Perfect construction and draw. This is what premium Cuban cigars are all about. Highly recommended!
Nicholas Allen –
Incredible cigar! The San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes Casa del Habano from San Cristobal is absolutely exceptional. Smooth, complex, and beautifully balanced. Got wonderful notes of honey and tobacco throughout the smoke. Lasted about 82 minutes. Already ordering another box!
Kathleen Cooper –
Top-tier quality from San Cristobal. The San Cristobal de la Habana Mercaderes Casa del Habano showcases everything I love about Cuban cigars – impeccable craftsmanship, smooth draw, and layers of flavor. Picked up notes of honey and tobacco. Burned evenly throughout. A must-try for any serious aficionado!