Year of Foundation: 1966
Tobacco Country: Cuba
Tobacco Procedence: Vuelta Abajo (Pinar del Rio)
Cigar Factory: Jose Marti Factory
Though Cohiba may have the distinction of being the first post-Revolution Cuban cigar brand created, no one knew of the brand outside of higher-ranking Cuban officials, the torcedores (cigar rollers) that made them, and foreign dignitaries lucky enough to be given a box as a diplomatic present. The first new brand of Cuban cigars to come out after the Revolution was Diplomáticos.
Diplomáticos was initially created as a "value" Montecristo cigar, primarily aimed towards the French cigar market. The Diplomáticos cigars mimics the original Montecristo cigar line in having five numbered sizes, all handmade.
The blend used for the Diplomaticos is milder than that used for Montecristo, most likely to cater to the taste of French cigar smokers, and nowadays is usually still a bit cheaper in price than corresponding Montecristo sizes.
The original Diplomaticos cigar line consisted of five numbered sizes, corresponding to Montecristos. In 1976, the No. 6 and No. 7 were introduced to the line and were the same size as the Montecristo Especial No. 1 and Especial No. 2, but were discontinued a few years later in the mid-1980's.