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What are Cohiba Cigars?

Sonal Panse
Sonal Panse

Cohiba cigars are a world-famous brand of cigars made by the Cuban cigar company Habanos S.A. They are hand-rolled and use the highest quality tobacco. The specially picked tobacco comes from the Vuelta Abajo region of the Cuban province Pinar del Rio. The Cuban Cohiba cigars are sold in domestic and international markets at premium prices.

There is also a non-Cuban Cohiba cigar brand. It is made by the USA-based General Cigar Company, Inc. in the Dominican Republic. The General Cigar Cohibas are also high quality and high priced. The company prints the word Cohiba with a red dot inside the letter O.

Cohiba Cigars are known for the high quality tobacco used in their production.
Cohiba Cigars are known for the high quality tobacco used in their production.

The General Cigar Company trademarked the Cohiba name in the USA in 1978. They have marketed their Red Dot Cohiba cigars in the USA since 1997. Other than the name, which means "cigar" in the Taino Indian dialect, they have no affiliation with the Cuban Cohiba brand.

The Cuban President Fidel Castro initiated the production of the Cuban Cohiba cigars in 1966. The cigar-making began as a small enterprise and soon grew into a fair-sized factory. The cigars, however, were made solely for Castro and his political associates. Quite often, the cigars were also given as diplomatic gifts. Their exclusiveness as well as excellence conferred them with a high cult status.

Cohiba cigars are a world-famous brand of cigars made by the Cuban cigar company Habanos S.A.
Cohiba cigars are a world-famous brand of cigars made by the Cuban cigar company Habanos S.A.

It wasn't until 1982, during the Football World Cup in Spain, that Cuban Cohiba cigars were sold on the general market for the first time. The three vitolas, or sizes, made available on this occasion were originally created in 1969. They were the Panatela cigars, the Corona Especial cigars and the Lancero cigars. These cigars are part of the Classic Line range that was augmented by three more vitolas in 1989. The new additions were the Cohiba Robusto cigars, the Cohiba Exquisito cigars and the Cohiba Esplendido cigars.

Cohiba cigars are extremely expensive.
Cohiba cigars are extremely expensive.

Habanos S.A. has since issued more versions of the Cohiba brand, notably the Linea 1492 range that introduced five vitolas in 1992 and a sixth in 2002. These six, Siglo I to Siglo VI, commemorated the 500th Anniversary of Christopher Columbus's voyage to America. Siglo means century in Spanish.

The Genios, Magicos and Secretos cigars of the Maduro 5 series appeared in 2007. Limited Editions and Special Releases are introduced annually at special events and anniversaries, like at the Habanos Festival and the Cohiba Brand Anniversary. All cigars made by the Cuban Cohiba brand use thrice-fermented seco and ligero tobacco fillers. It is this special fermentation process that gives these cigars their famous smooth flavor.

Discussion Comments

Ivan83

Does anyone know where I can get a hold of some Cuban cigars here in the states. I know that it is illegal to import things from Cuba but maybe there is a way to get around this, some loophole.

I buy Cohiba cigars from my local smoke shop but they are the American variety and I have heard that they pale in comparison to the ones made in Cuba. I'm dying to find out for myself. Help me out guys! There has to be a way.

nextcorrea

Cohiba is one of my favorite cigars. I don't think I am exaggerating when I say that I am a true cigar connoisseur. I have at least one cigar a day and I am a staple at my local cigar shop. I've tried every cigar they sell at least twice and have sampled cigars from around the world.

I have found myself coming back to Cohiba time and time again. It s such a dynamic cigar. Sharp but smooth, rich but light. I love the deep flavor of the smoke and the expert curing on the wrappers. They can run on the expensive side but you get what you pay for.

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    • Cohiba Cigars are known for the high quality tobacco used in their production.
      By: Klaus Eppele
      Cohiba Cigars are known for the high quality tobacco used in their production.
    • Cohiba cigars are a world-famous brand of cigars made by the Cuban cigar company Habanos S.A.
      By: Stephen Finn
      Cohiba cigars are a world-famous brand of cigars made by the Cuban cigar company Habanos S.A.
    • Cohiba cigars are extremely expensive.
      By: Marco Mayer
      Cohiba cigars are extremely expensive.
    • While the famed Cohiba cigars are typically made in Cuba, a variety made by the General Cigar Company is made in the Dominican Republic.
      By: Sergey Furtaev
      While the famed Cohiba cigars are typically made in Cuba, a variety made by the General Cigar Company is made in the Dominican Republic.
    • Because of the American embargo against Cuban goods, coveted Cohiba cigars are illicit in the United States.
      By: nyul
      Because of the American embargo against Cuban goods, coveted Cohiba cigars are illicit in the United States.