"In a 1992 interview, Avelino Lara claimed that Trinidad was an ultra-exclusive brand that only Fidel Castro was authorized to hand out as diplomatic gifts. Lara also claimed Trinidads were of a higher quality than the much-lauded Cohibas that had formerly been diplomatic exclusives before their mass-market release in 1982."
"Two sources have contradicted Lara's claims: President Fidel Castro himself and Adriano MartÃnez (The guy who helped MRN write the encyclopedia). In an interview with Cigar Aficionado, when asked about Trinidads, Castro stated that he only gave Cohibas away as diplomatic gifts, and in his autobiography; my life, he claims to know very little of the Trinidad brand. In the Illustrated Encyclopedia, MartÃnez stated that Trinidads were actually a lower-level diplomatic gift than Cohiba cigars, made with a tobacco blend similar to that used in the Cohiba vitolas, but without the third barrel fermentation that Cohibas receive." Cut/paste from wiki, but I know it is accurate.
Not trying to be argumentative, brother. I used to have the illustrated encyclopedia of post revolution havana cigars, and was fascinated with the history for a few years. Anywho... just trying to get the facts straight.