COHIBA MILLENNIUM RESERVE PIRÁMIDES: Cohiba Review Comp 2016

[Bohn007]

When I first started buying Cuban cigars 20 years ago, I was mentored by my dear friend Peter Lloyd in England. I really didn’t know where to start or what to try so he really took time to give me advice. A mutual friend would come over from England with the boxes that I needed from time to time. I learned quickly that cost didn’t necessarily equal benefit and quickly fell in love with the Siglo IV and the Upmann #2. Then in 1999, the world started to prepare for Y2K. There was much fear in the world as everyone raced to reprogram computers to make the adjustment for the year 2000. No one knew what would happen when the clocks reset. Airline travel was suspected to be offline for several days and many untold horrors were feared. It was at this time that Peter told me about the COHIBA MILLENNIUM RESERVE PIRÁMIDES that were soon to be released if I was interested. They were only distributed in Ceramic Jars of 25, only 10,000 to be produced and they had their own humidification element in the jar and sold at what then, was a backbreaking cost of $1,500 per jar plus shipping. Of course, that was also from England where the taxes are high on tobacco and I am sure they were available for less elsewhere when they were first released. I have heard of jars selling at auction for more than $2,000 since. The jars were made by Bidasoa who are based out of Spain, which also made the 30th Aniversario release in 1996. A 6 1/8 X 52 cigar it was one of two vitolas that was introduced at the Dinner of the Century in Cuba that year. I bought two and I have slowly paced them over the years, a wonderfully sublime cigar, like an old friend. Full of fond memories and new surprises as you catch up with what has changed since you last saw each other.

The construction is without equal. This is in itself a feat considering all of the problems that were had by Habanos with quality in the late 90’s. Honey brown wrappers with a nice oily sheen on them even after all these years. The cap is perfect and the wrapper is without noticeable veins. Unlit, I smell cedar, leather and fruit. Is that peaches or prunes? I cut the cap off and draw to discover some of the same flavors but also some creaminess with a touch of honey in the cold draw.

We had rain last night so it is very humid outside today and so I am nervous as I light the foot to see how it will burn. The draw is perfect and I detect the taste of cherries at first. Some spice with a sweet finish. The smoke production is fabulous. The burn is uneven at first. Not sure if it’s do to the excessive humidity outside. And the burn seems to be correcting itself. I detect hay, and wheat with still a little of that sweet creaminess that I love about Cohiba Cigars. The ash is white except for the spot where there was a slight burn problem. As I continue into the first third of the cigar, I can taste raisins. Even as I put it down for extended times as I tend to my daughter’s pressing computer needs, it continues to burn slowly, and my fears about the humidity appear unfounded. The ash is about an inch now with no desire to fall off. A little more leather now and a touch of white pepper. The ash has finally fallen off as I finish the first third of the cigar. The strength is medium but seems to be getting a little stronger as it moves along.

As I get into the second third of the cigar, I detect more pepper and leather flavors with still the creaminess in the background. Milk chocolate seems to come and go and the sweetness of the flavors seems to linger but not overwhelm the tastes. The burn slowly continues to correct itself without ever requiring a touch up and it continues to burn even when neglected. Still sensing tastes of leather, honey and citrus. Perhaps more like lemon zest than cherries as the flavor becomes more muted and the pepper seems to come out more. The burn is much more consistent although not perfect but the ash is holding well. Construction is still fantastic. The draw continues to stay just the way I like it. Not too tight, not too lose. The end is not getting hot in spite of the cigar almost being finished. Still the lingering sweetness of honey and flavors of pepper and cedar. The flavors seem to come and go without one overpowering the other. A truly complex cigar with still lots of room for aging. It is with some sadness as I finish my visit with my old friend. Burn time 1 hour and 40 minutes. 

[TheMonk]

Very complete review, thanks for sharing. Never had one of these, but I generally enjoy the Cohiba PE.

[Bohn007]

7 hours ago, TheMonk said:

Very complete review, thanks for sharing. Never had one of these, but I generally enjoy the Cohiba PE.

Thanks for the support. It was an amazing cigar. Only 13 left out of the original 50. I want to smoke one of the Cohiba 1966 Limited Editions from 2011 that I have in the Humidor again to see how it compares and which is best. However I think that I already know the answer.