Cohiba Medio Siglo....the Cohiba for Cohiba Haters

[99call]

Cohiba Medio Siglo   2018

Aroma at cold:   rich lemony tobacco, but with more body and edge than the rest of Cohibas offerings 

Cold Draw, forgot to do…….but it’s the worst wind tunnel I’ve ever encountered, Depressing

1^st Half This Is really sad, I wanted this review to be an "Ode to the only Cohiba I have affection for", but there are many leaves missing from this cigar, and even if those that remain as tasty, I think it’s still going to be a stinker. The taste of the tobacco is undoubtedly classy, but at this stage there is no cream or the edge taste of trini Vigia, which I find to be the reason why I like these cigars.    Here we go there’s a little of that toasted body coming through like a really good RS11.   Even though this is painfully underfilled, it’s all class, it’s just the extra weight of body and richness which makes me respect this blend.   I confess to being utterly bored by the majority of Cohiba I’ve tried, but where as it’s brothers and sisters, are all velvet glove, this has some power a bit of grunt. flavours of sour hay, and cut grass, but with the rich doughiness of Trinidad, and toasted rounded flavour of an RS11.. lovely……if only they’d only fill the cigar properly!!

2^nd Half  Eyes closed I would pick this as a very very good Coloniales, and that sums it up, it’s got the juxtaposition that all the great things have, the floral sweetness, but the rich light leather and barnyard.  a little salty and little sour.   Numerous touch ups needed, as the binder and filler are collapsing in on themselves, and there is daylight between it and the wrapper.  I’d like to say…”maybe this is what I’ve been missing with Cohiba…..maybe I get it now?”  but I think that’s doing the brand a credit they just don’t deserve….but this cigar does. Hats off to you Medio Siglo, if I can find a box that’s not underfilled I may just be tempted to pay the stupid price. 

Conclusion  I’m glad I kept on searching, and didn’t give up on Cohiba, Cuba’s premium brand will always be Trinidad for me, as I love them dearly,  but this is a very very good cigar

Score   I can only realistically give it a 88, as it was daylight robbery in terms of tobacco theft, but if made correctly, this could of been a good 92-93. 

[THEMISCHMAN]

Good review. It’s always unfortunate when we get a poorly made cigar. I’ve smoked two and both have been quite good. Hopefully the next one is better.

[99call]

Just now, THEMISCHMAN said:

Good review. It’s always unfortunate when we get a poorly made cigar. I’ve smoked two and both have been quite good. Hopefully the next one is better.

Yep, I rate them.  Nice to find a Cohiba that floats my boat.......that said theyre are definitely not worth 2x boxes of coloniales.....not in a million year.  I think these,  like all of Cohiba, is just for people where money is not factor

[Corylax18]

A good Coloniales, for Double the price and Half the smoking time!?!

Huh. For some reason, I'm still not convinced……...

[99call]

5 minutes ago, FatherOfPugs said:

Seems a lot of folks on here like to throw Cohiba under the bus, and yet, when CoRos, or Espys, or any Cohiba come up, they get snatched up right quick. So, someone's not telling the truth about their disliking Cohiba

I think the main problem is, is that strictly on a price point, I don't think they're worth is.   As a premium mid to light bodied blend, I would always opt for Trinidad, or QDO.  But that exactly the point distilled.  For some people it's not a case of either or, or thinking about value....it's just I'll have it all, and not even think about it.   Power to them. 

My main sticking point with the majority of Cohiba that I've sampled, is that I just doing feel as if I'm smoking a good cigar if it's all sweetness and light, and no juxtaposition, no dark side. . It's just a point of criticism from me, in that I think their blend is missing just that touch of funk, and mongrel, that completes the perfect picture.    Medio Siglo has it

[lovethehaze]

Nice review and some interesting notes. I like these. I have a few boxes, have yet to find a wind tunnel, I'm sure there will be a few, haven't picked up one yet. Properly filled, this will smoke will last 45 minutes or longer if you're not puffing the hell out of it. Not sure how it is twice the price of a Coloniales (~$10) vs. Medio Silglo (~$14) or half the smoking time....a little exaggeration perhaps?
Seems a lot of folks on here like to throw Cohiba under the bus, and yet, when CoRos, or Espys, or any Cohiba come up, they get snatched up right quick. So, someone's not telling the truth about their disliking Cohiba........
Is it a more expensive cigar, yes, if you can afford them, more power to you enjoy! I love me a good CoRo or Medio Siglo any day of the week. 

I am really a newbie so take it for what it’s worth. I love the CORO and have some medio’s , 3’s and 6’s resting. But I def agree when the cohiba comes up they r gone super quick .... so I would second it’s a fine line between reality and truth here.


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[99call]

On 5/10/2019 at 12:42 AM, Corylax18 said:

A good Coloniales, for Double the price and Half the smoking time!?!

Huh. For some reason, I'm still not convinced……...

Yep, I wont be changing my buying habits from my preferred Coloniales,  but I thought it was important to say from a self confessed "cohiba hater"  that Medio Siglo are in fact worth trying. and sampling every now and then

 

On 5/10/2019 at 1:15 AM, FatherOfPugs said:

Not sure how it is twice the price of a Coloniales (~$10) vs. Medio Silglo (~$14) or half the smoking time....a little exaggeration perhaps?

Hmm where i buy my Coloniales they're $200 a box.  and I thought Medio were close to $400?     I think this might be a case of hashing prices from two suppliers together

[Corylax18]

We can split hairs all day, but it doesn't change the facts. A medio siglo is a lot less cigar than a Coloniales, for far more money. Its far less cigar than a coro, for more money, there is no good reason for its existence. The medio siglo doesn't fit in the Cohiba line up, let alone the entire HSA catalogue. Try to look at the big picture.

Everybody keeps complaining that our "old favorites" aren't returning, there's been two threads covering that topic this week. They aren't going to return as long as people with more money than brains keep gobbling up unremarkable, overpriced cigars like this. Cigars like the dozen indistinguishable RE's that come out every year. As I've said dozens of times, there is nothing special about these cigars, aside from their marketing. 

Why would HSA start rolling SLR Serie A or DC's or any of the "missing" cigars when they can charge $20 a stick for a Petite robusto that uses half the tobacco? We've seen HSA's profits steadily rising over the last 4 or 5 years, despite lower quality and quantities of raw material to work with. I'll say the same thing I said in the Phoenician 40th release thread. You're getting Duped. 

[99call]

10 minutes ago, Corylax18 said:

You're getting Duped. 

I'm a little confused, is this directed at me?  I sporadically like to try them different Cohiba, so i'm not that smoker who blindly slag stuff off for no good reason.   I agree with you the vitola is ridiculous, and I don't think I would ever buy them over Coloniales,     

But the reason for me doing this review,  extolling the virtues of this little cigar, is that I think its a success in blending. the kind of Cohiba flavour i could be interested in.  All the hay, lemon , and honey.......but with a savoury side with a bit of depth to compliment it.

[Corylax18]

11 minutes ago, 99call said:

I'm a little confused, is this directed at me?  I sporadically like to try them different Cohiba, so i'm not that smoker who blindly slag stuff off for no good reason.   I agree with you the vitola is ridiculous, and I don't think I would ever buy them over Coloniales,     

But the reason for me doing this review,  extolling the virtues of this little cigar, is that I think its a success in blending. the kind of Cohiba flavour i could be interested in.  All the hay, lemon , and honey.......but with a savoury side with a bit of depth to compliment it.

No, not directed at you individually. It's directed at all of us. I haven't smoked an MS yet, but I have tried/spent money on many Cohiba and even a few RE/LE, I wouldn't s#!t on them so hard if I hadn't learned the lesson for myself.

But, we are our own worst enemy in this case. HSA will keep pumping this crap out as long as they keep selling. As a few above have stated, Cohiba and most of the "limited" stuff sells out as soon as its posted. So unfortunately the demand for this kind of stuff is high, for some reason. If I can convince 1 person to join the (apparently) "Dark Side" then I haven't wasted my time. 

The tobacco in this cigar used to go to something else. Lets just say hoyo du prince for this example. I would rather have a box of du prince and a couple hundred bucks in my pocket than a single box of MS and another few hundred dollars in profit in HSA's coffers. Great, they "hit" with this blend, but they also "hit" with dozens of past blends, that were cheaper and more accessible. Blends that are now gone, never to return, because people are blinded by "exclusivity" 

[99call]

5 minutes ago, Corylax18 said:

"Dark Side" then I haven't wasted my time. 

The tobacco in this cigar used to go to something else. Lets just say hoyo du prince for this example. I would rather have a box of du prince and a couple hundred bucks in my pocket than a single box of MS and another few hundred dollars in profit in HSA's coffers. Great, they "hit" with this blend, but they also "hit" with dozens of past blends, that were cheaper and more accessible. Blends that are now gone, never to return, because people are blinded by "exclusivity" 

I think we're very much on the same hymn sheet.    That said, much like yourself, i feel like I'm just going through the process of giving Cohiba "a fair hearing".   I don't rate the blend, but I rate some of the smokers I know, and on here, that mention mind blowing experiences.    I think I'll always smoke about 5-10 Cohibas a year, just to keep track on whether or not i'm doing them down for no good reason. 

[Cayman17]

1 hour ago, Corylax18 said:

I'll say the same thing I said in the Phoenician 40th release thread. You're getting Duped. 

Next you’re going to tell me that leasing a sports car is a bad investment. 

[CaptainQuintero]

 The consistency issue is just what really kills me because when they are spot on, Cohiba is just incredible. But my experience has been maybe 15/20% incredible, 50% good and the rest just shocking.

  I feel I can get a very similar experience to a very decent Cohiba from others, eg 

Lancero-QdO Panetela

Siglo 2-LGC #4/QdO Corona

 But I shouldn't have to. If Cohiba was the same price as Upmann then I think most complaints would go. But the premium for what seems like even less quality issues (Let's be clear, construction issues are a huge factor. Draw machines shouldn't even be needed for THE premium brand and top echelon of rollers. The fact that they do need them and clearly aren't using them just boggles the mind)

  I'm eternally conflicted by the brand

 

[havanaclub]

On 5/10/2019 at 1:32 AM, 99call said:

Hmm where i buy my Coloniales they're $200 a box.  and I thought Medio were close to $400?     I think this might be a case of hashing prices from two suppliers together

I wanna say prez had coloniales up the other day for 200ish. Other retailers have them for 192. Prez had some nice clearance medio for 299 (cheaper than Cuba) and other retailers for 325.
I also think the smoke time is way off. I have smoked a MS in one hour easy. Had a coloniales the other night that lasted about 1 hr 15 or so. Bit of a stretch to say half the smoke time.
At the end of the day, to each their own. If you like a cigar smoke, buy it, smoke it. To me, life is too short and I don’t mind paying 5 more bucks a stick for something I really enjoy.
 

On 5/10/2019 at 5:45 AM, Corylax18 said:

We can split hairs all day, but it doesn't change the facts. A medio siglo is a lot less cigar than a Coloniales, for far more money. Its far less cigar than a coro, for more money, there is no good reason for its existence. The medio siglo doesn't fit in the Cohiba line up, let alone the entire HSA catalogue. Try to look at the big picture.
Everybody keeps complaining that our "old favorites" aren't returning, there's been two threads covering that topic this week. They aren't going to return as long as people with more money than brains keep gobbling up unremarkable, overpriced cigars like this. Cigars like the dozen indistinguishable RE's that come out every year. As I've said dozens of times, there is nothing special about these cigars, aside from their marketing. 
Why would HSA start rolling SLR Serie A or DC's or any of the "missing" cigars when they can charge $20 a stick for a Petite robusto that uses half the tobacco? We've seen HSA's profits steadily rising over the last 4 or 5 years, despite lower quality and quantities of raw material to work with. I'll say the same thing I said in the Phoenician 40th release thread. You're getting Duped. 

I don’t know where you are looking. But everywhere I have seen, MS are cheaper than Coro. A very popular retailer has MS for 325, CoRo for 415. Prez had MS for 299-low 300s and Coro 389-415ish.
With that said, I agree the coloniales is an excellent cigar and great value when compared to some Cohiba. For me sometimes I would rather have a much cheaper RASS than a CoRo. But I like variety


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[Corylax18]

1 hour ago, FatherOfPugs said:

The duped part, pretty sure it was directed at me and folks like myself who enjoy Cohiba. You know, we have more money than brains apparently.  The problem is, instead of live and let live, some people have to find a reason to hate on some folks who genuinely enjoy that size of cigar, in that blend, and CAN afford it. Jealousy? Nah, more likely envy or a temper tantrum thrown by a toddler who can't have something.

As long as they keep making them, I'll keep buying the Medio Siglo, and some ERs, ELs, etc. from time to time.  Why? I enjoy them. The ERs, ELs; a nice change of pace, some are great, some are $h!t. Even though that's my prerogative, some folks have to sh!t on it to make themselves feel good on the internet. 

I wasn't trying to take a shot at you or any other individual member. No single individual's buying habits will move the needle in any significant way. 

What I am saying is that the QDO Imperiales and BCG's you would like to see again will never be back, because thousands of people are perfectly happy spending twice as much on the newest, fanciest, most exclusive double bander in a limited, polished numbered humidor. We can't have it both ways. 

[THEMISCHMAN]

Look at what you’ve done @99call

 

[captain]

Nice review of one of my favs. They are all really good but when you get a great one it’s worth the struggle. Give another properly filled one a shot.

I’ve gone through a few boxes and most are really well made...

 

great review

[canadianbeaver]

So sorry you had a lousy experience, and so interesting you compare these with TC’s. Both are wonderful to us. Especially Coloniales. But we love these Cohiba too. Since the day they came out. Perhaps give this Cohiba a year or two, or trade something with another friend’s supply? Handmade stuff can be shite in a particular box?

Your review is wonderful. Thanks!

CB

[99call]

26 minutes ago, canadianbeaver said:

So sorry you had a lousy experience

More frustrating than lousy.    I do like the sweeter elements of Cohiba, but I rarely ever consider a cigar to be great, unless it has a grunt to 'round out the blend'  

Previous to this, I've found Cohiba boring, and a bit lifeless.   I did still really enjoy this Medio Siglo and the one before is was great, as it has a deeper balanced blend.

I think my next exploration through the world of Cohiba will be the Piramides Extra......I hear they have a bit of edge, and extra body to them......we'll see 

[peteando]

I'm sure it's a decent cigar, but to me everything about it screams hsa money grab/chinese market.  I don't blame them for making what they think will sell, but my money is going elsewhere.

[JohnS]

@99call, don't beat yourself up if you don't connect with Cohiba as a marca. As a general rule, I find that the Bolivar folks and the Cohiba folks tend to be on either side of the palate preference spectrum. Then there's the folks in-between who don't mind either but they're not Bolivar or Cohiba aficionados. In all my years on this forum I don't recall anyone being a 'proselyte' (I say this tongue-in-cheek) of both. At least you're trying to be open to further experiences (in Cohiba - a brand you don't connect with), that I find commendable.

In regards to the Piramides Extra, take it from me, even if you are a Cohiba fan, this is an acquired taste in my view. You've absolutely nailed the extra body and a 'bit of edge' aspect to them. For me, they are like trying to explain to someone why you enjoy your coffee black without sugar or cream/milk when they've known nothing but cappuccinos for years. Or better still, explaining higher grade cognac to lovers of Scotch whisky. Yes indeed...an acquired taste. Hats off sir for trying, though!

 

[99call]

3 hours ago, JohnS said:

@99call, don't beat yourself up if you don't connect with Cohiba as a marca

Cheers for the comment John, and looking forward to sampling some Piramides Extra.     To be honest it's less beating myself up, and more being a bit perplexed by the blend.   I cant really think of any other CC marca that doesn't have a bit of 'dirt' 'grunt' 'funkiness' in their blend.   Maybe Fonseca is a bit 'all velvet glove' but at their price point, and the fact they are soooo vanilla/marshmallow ladened, I somehow give them a pass. 

Whether it be drinking Argentinian Malbec when or eating a chocolate from Ecuador,  some part of my brain is getting an extra level of enjoyment, thinking about the land and the people who made it. The attempted angelic taste and cold accurracy of Cohiba,  somehow leaves me cold, and makes me think less of Cuba, and more of some sort of hyper modern Mercedes factory, being rolled lab technicians........it sort of kills part of the experience for me

Don't get me wrong I like the hay, honey, citrus aspects, I just long for it to be counterbalanced with something a bit darker, barnyard, salt, sour cream? ......but hey they're not, and millions of people love them just as they are.......so it's for the best

[tigger]

Interesting, honest review, thanks.

Based on it, I might try one at some point, which would be amazing, since I loathe this vitola and the trend it represents.

Short, fat and thumblike is terrible. To me. More power to those who enjoy them.

But a Cohiba with some darkness sounds intriguing. I actually really enjoy the occasional CE, Lancero or Siglo IV. To continue with some of the thoughts above, they are flan to the dark chocolate and cayenne cake that are the Partagas 898 and HU Mag 46s that I smoke most of the time. Sometimes flan is perfect. Sometimes it isn't.

[havanaclub]

More frustrating than lousy.    I do like the sweeter elements of Cohiba, but I rarely ever consider a cigar to be great, unless it has a grunt to 'round out the blend'  
Previous to this, I've found Cohiba boring, and a bit lifeless.   I did still really enjoy this Medio Siglo and the one before is was great, as it has a deeper balanced blend.
I think my next exploration through the world of Cohiba will be the Piramides Extra......I hear they have a bit of edge, and extra body to them......we'll see 

Maybe try a Siglo IV. I find them to have a bit more strength than the others in the line and can be a bit edgy


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[99call]

1 hour ago, crking3 said:

I think cohiba is undeniably good ....I think ppl just like to purposefully scoff at it and buck it because it’s so expensive and the brand is snobbish ....the medio siglo is absolutely fantastic


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Chill out dude, I don't think anything on here is really negative about Cohiba in anyway.   For my part, my criticism is that they've refined the product too far,  it's too clean. 

What i've tried to express is that for my own personal tastes, what Cohiba does, it does very well, i.e the honey, the cut grass, they hay,  but it's all in a super delicate and clean register.    To me the very top tier of things that I would consider delicacies i.e.

- Bottarga, Fresh Sea Urchin, Kobe Beef, Oysters, Foie Gras, truffles etc etc 

they all have masses of refinement and sweetness, but they also have a little bit of rotten in them too.  A depth of flavour that rounds out everything and balances it. I would suggest that Trinidad succeeds with this,  with the savoury pretzel doughiness, in combination with the floral sweetness etc

Again I'm glad that for many many people Cohiba is that optimum experience, all i'm communicating is that I find it surprising, as I don't feel if the majority of its catalogue that that touch of earthiness, or depth, that often pushes things into the next level. 

The point of my (in large part very complimentary) review of the Medio Siglo, was to say with the addition of a bit of mongrel, I feel as if it creates a richer much more indulgent experience.