Aged Cohiba Siglo I,II,III,IV,V,VI Reviews (2006)

[JohnS]

In 1963 Cohiba started out as a Fuma (a cigar rolled by a torcedor for his own use) that was offered to Fidel Castro. It immediately became Fidel’s favourite. In 1964, a small factory was set up to make these cigars. Production was later moved to the present El Laguito Factory. This original cigar was an unnamed Laguito No.1, and in 1967, two additional sizes were added....a Laguito No.2 and a Laguito No.3. The cigar brand remained unnamed until 1966, when it was officially named Cohiba. In 1969 the three cigars were given commercial names and the packaging and band designs finalised.

Three cigars were commercially released in 1984. The Classic range was introduced in 1989, incorporating the original three cigars. The Siglo range was developed in 1992 and became commercially available in early 1994. The Maduro range was released in 2007. The Behike range was released in 2010.

The tobacco is the best available from the premium Vuelta Abajo region. The Seco & Ligero filler leaf is given an exclusive third fermentation. The Classic & Behike range comprise medium to full strength cigars and the Siglo & Maduro range comprise medium strength cigars.

Source: Cuban Cigar Website/Cohiba

Cohiba, the premium global flagship brand, is well-known for being a good, reliable and more expensive than Habanos S.A's other brands. The Línea 1492, consisting of five cigars, the Siglo I, II, III, IV and V was launched in 1992 to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of Columbus' arrival in Cuba before one further size, the iconic Siglo VI, was added in 2002. These are medium-bodied in flavour. (Interestingly, the Línea 1492 came out in 1992 to replace the discontinued Davidoff Cuban cigar brand)

According to Habanos S.A., the leaves for Cohiba are the selection of the selection from the 5 finest Vegas de Primera in San Juan y Martínez and San Luis districts of the Vuelta Abajo zone.

It's this extra care for detail, both in the production of the tobacco and the finished cigar, that lends a certain mystique, perhaps, to Cohiba. The purpose of these reviews is to directly compare the similarities and differences in these aged Siglo cigars to provide a reference for our members.

I am indebted to the founder of Cuban Cigar Website, Trevor Leask, for providing these Siglo I-VI cigars for me to review. They are all from 2006, given to me a year ago, they sat in my humidor until the time came to directly compare them.

[JohnS]

Similarities and Differences amongst the Aged Siglo Series

Siglo I: In terms of intensity, the Siglo I was the strongest of the lot, fluctuating between medium and a touch over medium. The Siglo II was close behind. In terms of blend, I felt the Siglo I and II were most similar. Cohiba grass/hay and honey with nut and tobacco.

Siglo II: Similar to the Siglo I in strength, although milder. Similar tasting notes, with elements of cream more evident.

Siglo III: Mild-medium, Cohiba grass/hay, honey married with cream throughout and in essence, the perfect vitola for a cigar with this blend. At 42 ring gauge and 155 mm in length, I felt that each draw was able to contribute to getting a good ash-length which in turn kept the cigar 'cool' and flavourful. This was my favourite cigar-smoking experience of the lot.

Siglo IV: Cohiba grass/hay and honey, but some coffee and oak/wood too. Great construction but notice that this took me 10 minutes less to smoke than the Siglo III. Still, an outstanding cigar!

Siglo V: Very similar tasting notes to the Siglo IV, however, the ring gauge and length, I believe, assisted in enjoying this immensely. At 2 hours, I considered this a great change-of-pace cigar. This was my second favourite cigar to smoke of the six.

Siglo VI: I feel the Siglo VI blend stands on its own in comparison to the other Siglo cigars. Sure, it has that Cohiba grass, but none of the other Siglos had mocha/coffee and butter as much as this cigar. Of course, I greatly enjoyed it, even if it was the most different to the others.

[JohnS]

Conclusion

There was an interesting thread in regards to aging Cohiba recently. Does it have the legs to age? If so, should you?

The first thing to note about aging cigars is that the cigar has to be quality to begin with. if it isn't, it's not going to get better with age. However, if you have fresh Siglo that you are enjoying now, then don't feel guilty if you are enjoying them young. The general consensus on our forum amongst our members is to wait 3 to 5 years for Cohiba to mature, but it's your palate, your cigar-smoking experience and this is ultimately subjective.

The main purpose of these reviews was to indicate some similarities and differences in the vitolas within the Siglo range to guide our readers with which Siglo cigar may appeal to them. I was surprised to find that the Siglo I had the most strength, that some of the final thirds remained cool until almost the end of the cigar, that my Siglo III took longer to smoke than my Siglo IV and that there were some subtle variations among the vitolas, with the Siglo VI standing alone in comparison to the others, although, in general, each cigar had that underlying Cohiba grass/hay and honey.

Again, I'd like to acknowledge Trevor Leask in generously providing me these cigars to review. If you find my conclusions in variance to yours, that's quite okay as our noble hobby is quite subjective. Please feel free to share your thoughts and knowledge. As for me, I intend to sample an ARG Jun 15 Cohiba Siglo VI and a BTO Dic 12 Cohiba Siglo II soon to compare my findings noted here.

[RijkdeGooier]

Great series John!

[ChanceSchmerr]

Very nice series, mate!

Good to see that someone else besides myself prefers the III and V, over the I, II and IV.

I agree the VI stands sort of on it's own. I chalk it up to the much larger RG.

[Optic101]

Well done John

[TheMonk]

Fantastic work, John! Very well done!

And now I need to get me some Sig III's - I've been a Sig IV and Sig VI fan up to now.

[strikethebox7]

Great series of reviews John! Time to order up some Siglo III's!

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[joeypots]

Thanks for the review work, John. It must have been tough going.

I'm a Cohiba *****. I never expected to become such an animal but as my precious Cohibas hid away in my humidor while I smoked cigars that I had not put aside as event smokes, the Cohibas got to be "OMG good". Live and learn. Also, years ago someone told me to grab the CLE '01 Lanceros. Those cigars were outstanding and confirmed my love of the marca. I've been working on getting a stash of Cohiba for the long sleep but it's a chore. They are expensive. My experience has been that the marca goes from OK to WOW at something after 5 years. I've wasted too many Cohibas by smoking them young so I wait as long as possible before I start to sample the box. I'm happier, for instance, smoking a young Punch Punch than I am smoking the same vintage Siglo IV. So the PP is in the rotation and the IV is an event cigar. By event I mean a time when I can pay full attention to the cigar.

I have come to the conclusion that I like the Cohibas better than most of the REs and Els I have had so for the next while I'm going to concentrate on acquiring them until I am satisfied with my stash or my wife notices the charges on my CC bill.

Again, thanks for the reviews. You've confirmed what I experienced with Cohiba.

[luv2fly]

Very nice John! Thanks for the reviews. Always great information from you and many others. keep it coming.

[planetary]

Thank you so much for sharing your findings, John! Kudos to Trevor for enabling your reviews, as well.

[Ken Gargett]

thanks john.

trev was incredibly kind to me as well and i have the same set, from 2005, i believe. i have been meaning to post the notes. you have inspired me. i will see if i can find them amongst all the mess.

[BonVivant]

In 1963 Cohiba started out as a Fuma (a cigar rolled by a torcedor for his own use) that was offered to Fidel Castro. It immediately became Fidel’s favourite. In 1964, a small factory was set up to make these cigars. Production was later moved to the present El Laguito Factory. This original cigar was an unnamed Laguito No.1, and in 1967, two addition sizes were added....a Laguito No.2 and a Laguito No.3. The cigar brand remained unnamed until 1966, when it was officially named Cohiba. In 1969 the three cigars were given commercial names and the packaging and band designs finalised.

Three cigars were commercially released in 1984. The Classic range was introduced in 1989, incorporating the original three cigars. The Siglo range was developed in 1992 and became commercially available in early 1994. The Maduro range was released in 2007. The Behike range was released in 2010.

The tobacco is the best available from the premium Vuelta Abajo region. The Seco & Ligero filler leaf is given an exclusive third fermentation. The Classic & Behike range comprise medium to full strength cigars and the Siglo & Maduro range comprise medium strength cigars.

Source: Cuban Cigar Website/Cohiba

Cohiba, the premium global flagship brand, is well-known for being a good, reliable and more expensive than Habanos S.A's other brands. The Línea 1492, consisting of five cigars, the Siglo I, II, III, IV and VI was launched in 1992 to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of Columbus' arrival in Cuba before one further size, the iconic Siglo VI, was added in 2002. These are medium-bodied in flavour. (Interestingly, the Línea 1492 came out in 1992 to replace the discontinued Davidoff Cuban cigar brand)

According to Habanos S.A., the leaves for Cohiba are the selection of the selection from the 5 finest Vegas de Primera in San Juan y Martínez and San Luis districts of the Vuelta Abajo zone.

It's this extra care for detail, both in the production of the tobacco and the finished cigar, that lends a certain mystique, perhaps, to Cohiba. The purpose of these reviews is to directly compare the similarities and differences in these aged Siglo cigars to provide a reference for our members.

I am indebted to the founder of Cuban Cigar Website, Trevor Leask, for providing these Siglo I-VI cigars for me to review. They are all from 2006, given to me a year ago, they sat in my humidor until the time came to directly compare them.

this is just wrong on so many levels - just look at your SigloVI record?

[JohnS]

Thank you everyone for you encouraging accolades, it is much appreciated!

Ken, I would very much look forward to hearing what you thought of your batch of aged Siglos.

[JohnS]

this is just wrong on so many levels - just look at your SigloVI record?

Leo, thank you for your criticism. Exactly what is wrong with what was posted? I have adjusted the line, "The Línea 1492, consisting of five cigars, the Siglo I, II, III, IV and VI was launched in 1992 to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of Columbus' arrival in Cuba before one further size, the iconic Siglo VI, was added in 2002." as I had put in "IV and VI" erroneously when it should be "IV and V".

My goal here was to provide a brief overview of the history of Cuba, which I've done quoting two sources, Cuban Cigar Website and Habanos S.A's website. Having discussed this history with Trevor and having read it for myself, I can attest that Adriano Martinez Rius has fortunately left us a wonderful testament of knowledge in regards to the post-revolution Habanos cigar industry. It's his information, I'd say, that has been sourced for the history of Cohiba on CCW.

[moryc]

Excellent write up John. Thanks!

[NicPac]

Loved reading this. Great work, John!

[Firebender]

Thanks for the great review.

I will compare to it when I smoke my Siglos

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