Cohiba
Cohiba is the flagship brand of Habanos S.A.
It was created in 1966 for President Fidel Castro himself and was made at the then top secret, but now world famous, El Laguito factory. At first, it was only seen outside Cuba as gifts for heads of state and visiting diplomats.
In 1982 Cohiba was made available in limited quantities to the open market.
The name is an ancient Taino Indian word for the bunches of tobacco leaves that Columbus first saw being smoked by the original inhabitants of Cuba – the earliest known form of the cigar.
The leaves for Cohiba are the “selection of the selection” from the 5 finest plantations in the San Juan y Martinez and San Luis districts of the Vuelta Abajo zone.
Uniquely amongst Havanas up to three of Cohiba’s filler leaves, the seco, ligero and the rare medio tiempo, undergo an extra fermentation in barrels, which adds smoothness to the blend.
Cohiba encompasses four different Líneas or Lines. First there is the Línea Clásica. Six sizes were introduced between 1966 and 1989 and the most recent addition to the range is the Pirámides Extra released in 2012. Then there is the Línea 1492, five sizes of which were launched in 1992 to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of Columbus’s arrival in Cuba before one further size, the iconic Siglo VI, was added in 2002.
The Línea Maduro 5 consisting of three sizes each wrapped in dark maduro leaves specially aged for five years was launched in 2007. Finally the Línea Behike, whose three sizes made their debut in 2010, was added as the most exclusive line of all. In its filler blend it uses the rare medio tiempo leaf, which is found only amongst some of the top two leaves of sun- grown tobacco plants and brings an exceptional richness to the taste of the cigars.
Through such constant innovation, Cohiba has held its position at the leading edge of the cigar world. It was also the first Havana brand to offer a Reserva cigar in 2002 and a Gran Reserva in 2009 made with tobaccos specially aged for a minimum of three and five years respectively.
All Cohiba sizes are Totalmente a Mano, Tripa Larga – long filler, totally hand made.
Flavour:
Línea Clásica – Medium to Full
Línea 1492 – Medium
Línea Maduro 5 – Medium to Full
Línea Behike – Full
COHIBA - Línea Clásica
The Línea Clásica were introduced between 1966 and 1989 and the most recent addition to the range is the Pirámides Extra released in 2012. Medium to Full flavour.
LANCERO
VITOLA: Laguito No.1
RING GAUGE: 38
LENGTH: 7 1/2 inches
The longest of Cohiba’s original three sizes created in 1966 and once the cigar of choice for Cuba’s former President, Fidel Castro, who gave them as personal gifts.
ESPLEDIDO
VITOLA: Julieta No.2
RING GAUGE: 47
LENGTH: 7 inches
Cohiba’s brilliant Churchill size, first seen in 1989. Beautifully presented in mid-tone wrappers. Make time for this stately cigar, the king of the Línea Clásica.
CORONA ESPECIAL
VITOLA: Laguito No.2
RING GAUGE: 38
LENGTH: 6 inches
Another of Cohiba’s originals; slender, elegant and an intense smoke.
PANETELA
VITOLA: Laguito No.3
RING GAUGE: 26
LENGTH: 4 1/2 inches
The smallest of the three Cohiba originals. The true taste of Cuba’s most prestigious brand for a few precious minutes.
ROBUSTO
VITOLA: Robusto
RING GAUGE: 50
LENGTH: 4 7/8 inches
The cigar that sparked the Robusto revolution from 1989 onwards and remains firmly in the vanguard of this important vitola. Rich, deep, spicy and not to be missed.
EXQUISITO
VITOLA: Seoane
RING GAUGE: 33
LENGTH: 5 inches
A cigar for the morning with plenty of taste to sharpen the palate. Favourite size of former El Laguito Director, Emilia Tamayo, the first woman ever to manage a Havana factory.
PIRÁMIDE EXTRA
VITOLA: Pirámides Extra
(RING GAUGE: 54
LENGTH: 6 1/4 inches
In 2012 the Pirámide Extra became the first addition to the Línea Clásica since 1989. The vitola is unique to Cohiba and it is dressed in a new band incorporating special security features. In time this band will be found on all Línea Clásica and Línea 1492 (Siglo) sizes.
COHIBA - Línea 1492
The Línea 1492 have five sizes of which were launched in 1992 to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of Columbus’s arrival in Cuba before one further size, the iconic Siglo VI, was added in 2002. Medium flavour.
MEDIO SIGLO
VITOLA: Medio Siglo
RING GAUGE: 52
LENGTH: 4 inches
As part of Cohiba’s 50th anniversary celebrations last year (2016), a new vitola was introduced to their La Linea 1492 range called Medio Siglo. Medio Siglo is the first new vitola to join the Siglo series since the addition of the Siglo VI in 2002.
The Medio Siglo, ‘Half Century’ in English, refers to the history of the Cohiba brand, rather than the discovery of the island by Columbus.
SIGLO I
VITOLA: Perla
RING GAUGE: 40
LENGTH: 4 inches
Modest in stature yet rewarding in taste, the Siglo I fits perfectly before a meal or serves as a pleasurable travelling companion.
SIGLO II
VITOLA: Mareva
RING GAUGE: 42
LENGTH: 5 1/8 inches
This Mareva or Petit Corona size provides the ideal introduction to the taste, quality and style of Cohiba. Start here, then explore.
SIGLO III
VITOLA: Corona Grande
RING GAUGE: 42
LENGTH: 6 1/8 inches
Often underestimated, the Siglo III can be depended upon to deliver perfectly balanced, elegant medium bodied flavours and aromas.
SIGLO IV
VITOLA: Corona Gorda
RING GAUGE: 46
LENGTH: 5 5/8 inches
The extra girth of this Corona Gorda size allows the signature taste of La Línea 1492 (the Siglos) to show from the start and to develop richly on the palate.
SIGLO V
VITOLA: Dalia
RING GAUGE: 43
LENGTH: 6 3/4 inches
Perhaps a size that is not at the height of fashion these days, nevertheless the 8-9-8, as it is often known, is one of Cuba’s definitive models. Fulfilling in every way.
SIGLO VI
VITOLA: Cañonazo
RING GAUGE: 52
LENGTH: 5 7/8 inches
The lord of La Línea 1492 although it arrived ten years after the rest in 2002. Magnificent, uniform wrappers, sensuous to the touch, great construction – this is the best of Cuba!
COHIBA - Línea Maduro 5
The Línea Maduro 5 consisting of three sizes each wrapped in dark maduro leaves specially aged for five years was launched in 2007. Medium to Full flavour.
GENIOS
VITOLA: Genios 5
RING GAUGE: 52
LENGTH: 5 1/2 inches
The most substantial of the Maduro 5 line born in 2007. The dark wrapper, specially aged for five years, brings a touch of sweetness to its medium to full blend. Great personality for seasoned smokers.
MAGICOS
VITOLA: Magicos 5
RING GAUGE: 52
LENGTH: 4 1/2 inches
A stocky cigar with a dark countenance added by its aged wrapper taken from the upper leaves of shade-grown plants. Rich, spicy, and with a great draw. Suits aficionados who are pushed for time.
SECRETOS
VITOLA: Secretos 5
RING GAUGE: 40
LENGTH: 4 3/8 inches
The rich, sweetish Maduro 5 flavour in a compact size, which burns well and deilivers an intense aromatic taste. A little jewel.
COHIBA - Línea Behike
The Línea Behike, whose three sizes made their debut in 2010, was added as the most exclusive line of all. In its filler blend it uses the rare medio tiempo leaf, which is found only amongst some of the top two leaves of sun- grown tobacco plants and brings an exceptional richness to the taste of the cigars. Full flavour.
BHK 56
VITOLA: Laguito No.6
RING GAUGE: 56
LENGTH: 6 1/2 inches
One of the widest girths to be found within the entire Havana portfolio, allowing for a magnificent array of flavours to drench the palate. The ultimate expression of luxury and indulgence.
BHK 54
VITOLA: Laguito No.5
RING GAUGE: 54
LENGTH: 5 5/8 inches
The number of a BHK stands for its ring gauge, so this stout model boasts a diameter of 54/64 ths of an inch, which leaves plenty of room for the fourth component in the filler – the Medio Tiempo – that brings a startling intensity to the flavour.
BHK 52
VITOLA: Laguito No.4
RING GAUGE: 52
LENGTH: 4 3/4 inches
Neither its comparatively diminutive stature nor its origin stopped the BHK 52 receiving Cigar Aficionado’s ultimate accolade as ‘Cigar of the Year’ in 2010 when the Behikes were launched. A stunning new taste from Havana.
Robustos Reserva
VITOLA: Robusto
RING GAUGE: 50
LENGTH: 5
The Cohiba Robustos Reserva are a very limited and exclusive release. All the Tobacco leaves are specially selected after an ageing process of 3 years this is advertised with the extra black & silver ‘Reserva’ band. Only 5000 high gloss black presentation boxes of 20 Cohiba Robustos Reserva have ever been released.