Cohiba Esplendidos

HISTORY

Cohiba is the flagship brand of Habanos S.A. and was originally created in 1966 for the late President of Cuba, Fidel Castro. They were 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 and it was not until 1982 that Cohiba was made available in limited quantities to the open market.

The name “Cohiba” is a 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 used for rolling Cohiba vitolas are the “selection of the selection” from the five finest plantations in the San Juan y Martinez and San Luis districts of the Vuelta Abajo zone which is widely regarded as the finest tobacco growing land/soil in the world.

Uniquely amongst Havanas up to three of Cohiba’s filler leaves, the seco, ligero and the rare medio tiempo (the latter of which is used only in the Behike range), undergo an extra fermentation in barrels, which adds smoothness to the blend.

All sizes of Cohiba are ‘tripa larga, totalmente a mano’ – long filler, totally handmade. Cohiba encompasses four different Líneas, or Lines.

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 and some say the Churchills.

TASTING NOTES

The initial draws present a creamy blend of roasted coffee, cedar, and hay. As the cigar develops, the flavour deepens significantly, revealing rich leather, subtle baking spices, and a signature Cohiba sweetness often described as notes of honey and vanilla. The final third culminates in a bold crescendo of dark earth and cocoa.

This cigar will pair beautifully with an aged Cuban or dark rum, unpeated sherry cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky or a strong espresso.

CIGAR INFORMATION

Country of Origin: Cuba

Flavour profile: Medium to Full-bodied

Vitola: Churchill

Size: 47 ring gauge, 7 inches

Smoking time: 60 minutes