Trinidad Topes

Trinidad Topes: Like Finding a Hidden Jazz Club in Havana

You know how sometimes you stumble into a dimly lit jazz club at 2 AM and discover this incredible musician nobody’s heard of yet? That’s exactly what smoking a Trinidad Topes feels like. I’ve been puffing on Cuban cigars since ’99, and I’ll be honest – Trinidad as a marca has always been a bit of an enigma wrapped in mystique.

The Topes vitola is something special though. Really special.

First time I got my hands on one was back in 2018 (took me way too long, I admit), and it was from a trinidad 2016 box that my buddy Marco had been aging in his temperature-controlled cabinet. Guy’s obsessive about his storage – probably spends more on humidification than most people spend on rent.

First Impressions: The Unassuming Beauty

Let me tell you something – this isn’t the prettiest cigar you’ll ever lay eyes on. The Topes comes in at a hefty 6⅝” x 52 ring gauge, and honestly? It looks a bit rustic. The wrapper’s got this mottled appearance that some folks might call “character” while others might wonder if they got a second.

But here’s the thing (and this is where I might ruffle some feathers) – I actually prefer cigars that look like they were rolled by human hands rather than machines. Give me those slight imperfections. That barely visible seam. The Topes has all of that in spades.

The pre-light draw is where things get interesting. There’s this subtle sweetness – not like candy sweet, but more like raw honey mixed with cedar shavings. Sometimes I pick up hints of leather that’s been sitting in an old bookstore. My wife thinks I’m nuts when I spend five minutes just smelling a cigar before lighting it, but with Trinidad, it’s absolutely worth it.

The Flavor Journey (Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Complexity)

Forget everything you’ve read about “first third, second third, final third” nonsense. Real cigars don’t smoke by committee rules, and the Topes certainly doesn’t.

The first few draws hit you with this creamy, almost buttery sensation. It’s subtle – Trinidad’s never been about punching you in the face with flavor. If you’re coming from Partagás or Bolivar, you might initially think something’s wrong. Nothing’s wrong. You just need to recalibrate your palate.

About fifteen minutes in (I’m a slow smoker, sue me), the cedar really starts to shine. Not that harsh, pencil-shaving cedar you get from young cigars, but this warm, seasoned wood flavor that reminds me of my grandfather’s workshop. He used to build cabinets, and his shop always smelled like this perfect combination of wood and time.

The middle stretch – and this is where the trinidad 2016 vintage really shows its maturity – develops these incredible floral notes. I know, I know. “Floral” sounds pretentious as hell. But I’m talking about subtle stuff here. Like when you walk past a garden after it rains. It’s there, but you have to pay attention.

Here’s where it gets weird (in the best possible way): sometimes I get this distinct note of vanilla custard. Not always. Maybe one out of every three Topes I smoke. It usually shows up right around the halfway point and sticks around for maybe ten, fifteen minutes before morphing into something else entirely.

The final act brings out the earthiness that Cuban tobacco is famous for. Rich, loamy soil. Wet leaves. There’s a minerality too – almost like slate or wet stone. Combined with a gentle spice that builds slowly rather than attacking your sinuses.

What I Pair It With (And Why Most Pairing Advice Is Garbage)

Look, I’ve read countless articles about pairing cigars with drinks, and most of them are written by people who’ve clearly never enjoyed either. Here’s what actually works with Trinidad Topes:

Rum: Not just any rum. I’m talking about Havana Club 15 or (if you can find it) Santiago de Cuba 20. The aged sweetness complements those vanilla notes I mentioned. Tried it with Diplomatico once – too cloying. Doesn’t work.

Scotch: This is controversial, but hear me out. A good Highland single malt like Dalwhinnie 15 or even Glenmorangie 18 brings out the floral characteristics beautifully. Avoid anything too peaty – you’ll overpower the subtle Trinidad flavors.

Coffee: Cuban coffee, obviously. But specifically a cortadito with that perfect layer of espuma. The sweetness and caffeine intensity create this amazing contrast with the cigar’s mellowness.

What doesn’t work? Beer. I don’t care what anyone says – beer and premium Cuban cigars are like pineapple on pizza. Some people swear by it, but they’re wrong. (Fight me.)

Who Should Smoke This (And Who Should Stay Away)

The Trinidad Topes isn’t for beginners. Period.

If you’re just getting into Cuban cigars, start with something more straightforward. Montecristo No. 2, maybe a Cohiba Robusto. The Topes requires patience and a developed palate to truly appreciate what’s happening.

This is perfect for:

• Experienced smokers looking for subtlety over strength
• Anyone who appreciates craftsmanship over flashiness
• People who actually taste their cigars instead of just puffing smoke
• Collectors who understand that rarity doesn’t always mean better, but sometimes it really does

Stay away if you:

• Need bold flavors to enjoy a cigar
• Smoke quickly (you’ll miss everything good about this stick)
• Think all Cuban cigars should taste like Cohibas
• Are looking for your everyday smoke (these aren’t cheap, and they shouldn’t be)

Storage and Aging Notes

Here’s something most reviews won’t tell you: Trinidad cigars are finicky about humidity. I keep my trinidad 2016 boxes at 62-65% RH, which is lower than my usual 68-70%. They seem to develop better at slightly drier conditions.

Age-wise, I think five years is the sweet spot for Topes. Younger than that and they can be a bit tight, overly grassy. Older than ten years and (controversial opinion coming up) I think they start losing some of their complexity. I’ve smoked Trinidads from the early 2000s that were certainly good, but they’d lost that vibrant character that makes the marca special.

Temperature matters too. I learned this the hard way when I stored a box in my basement wine fridge set at 55°F. Thought I was being clever. Turns out Cuban cigars don’t like being that cold for extended periods. They smoked flat, muted. Had to bring them back to room temperature for three months before they started singing again.

The Burning Question: Are They Worth It?

Trinidad has always been positioned as a premium marca, and the prices reflect that. We’re not talking about daily smoker territory here. But here’s the thing – when you find a properly aged trinidad 2016 Topes, it’s absolutely worth the investment.

I’ve shared these with friends who smoke $5 Nicaraguan puros exclusively, and even they admit there’s something special happening. One guy (won’t name names, but he writes for a major cigar publication) told me it changed his perspective on Cuban subtlety entirely.

That said, if you’re buying these to impress people at your local cigar lounge, you’re missing the point. This isn’t a show-off smoke. It’s a contemplative experience.

A Few Things Nobody Tells You

The band is a pain to remove. I don’t know what adhesive they use, but it’s like they want that thing permanently attached. Let the cigar warm up for at least ten minutes before attempting removal, and even then, go slow.

These cigars can be surprisingly sensitive to wind. I’ve had perfect indoor smoking sessions turn disappointing when I moved to my porch on a breezy evening. The delicate flavor profile just gets blown away (literally).

Construction is generally excellent, but I’ve encountered more plugged draws with Trinidad than other marcas. Not sure if it’s the rolling technique or just bad luck, but keep a draw tool handy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Trinidad Topes compare to other Trinidad vitolas?

The Topes is definitely the most complex vitola in the Trinidad lineup. The Fundadores is more intense, the Reyes can be inconsistent. If you’re only going to try one Trinidad, make it the Topes.

Can I age these longer than ten years?

You can, but in my experience, diminishing returns set in after about eight years. The subtle flavors that define Trinidad start to fade rather than develop. Your mileage may vary, of course.

Are 2016 boxes still available?

Getting harder to find, especially properly stored ones. If you see trinidad 2016 boxes from reputable sources, grab them. That vintage has been consistently excellent in my experience.

Why are Trinidad cigars so expensive?

Limited production, premium positioning, and honestly? Because people will pay it. Whether they’re worth the premium is subjective, but the quality is definitely there.

Bottom line: The Trinidad Topes isn’t just a cigar – it’s a meditation. If you’ve got the patience, the palate, and the wallet for it, this might just become your new favorite contemplative smoke. Just don’t expect it to be love at first light. The best relationships take time to develop.