Cohiba Siglo I 18 (NRW)

[MrGlass]

I really had to go digging to find something for this review competition.  My entry into the freestyle competition last week would have been ideal for this one, but I submitted that last week.  And over the years I've given away the cigars that I don't enjoy, including every Bolivar from my collection (which are my true nemesis of the cigar world).  But at the bottom of the humidor, I found the Cohiba Siglo sampler that was on offer in March 2018, and I decided to try the Siglo I.  I've listed the year as 2018, but if someone happens to have made a note somewhere of the specific box codes that were associated with this sampler and I'm wrong, feel free to correct me.

The Siglo I is a cigar that I have just never really got.  I don't like the size, and I certainly don't like the price.  Simply put, if I'm going to light up a cigar, I want it to last longer than these do.  And if this is all I have time for, I don't want to spend that much as I'll likely be distracted regardless.  I've tried the Siglo II on numerous occasions in the past and never been super impressed with it, let alone thought "This'd be perfect if they cut an inch off but charged almost the same".  But nevertheless, this cigar was included in that sampler and this seems the appropriate time to give it a go.

The construction was good, with a slightly tighter draw than I like but manageable.  On lighting, the cigar opened powerfully with lashings of cream, a little citric acid and lemongrass hiding in the background.  Credit where credit is due, I was not expecting this to pack the punch that it did.  After about five minutes, the citric acid passed and I was left with cream while drawing in and lemongrass after exhaling.  But that was basically it for the remainder of the cigar, with the only change being a gradual waning in strength.  It was like the cigar put everything it had into getting out the gate, but then barely had the strength to actually finish the race.  These may be popular, but they aren't for me.

While writing this up, I saw there was a video review of this put up on Friday, and I have to agree with Ken's sentiment on this.  If someone gave me one, I'd be more than happy to smoke it, but I have no interest in buying any of my own.  

[Vito]

The logic and reasoning behind your thinking can not be argued with. I had to laugh because I feel what you say, especially about looking down and thinking it’d be great if it was shorter but almost as much money, was spot on in my mind anyways. 

[MrGlass]

7 hours ago, Vito said:

The logic and reasoning behind your thinking can not be argued with. I had to laugh because I feel what you say, especially about looking down and thinking it’d be great if it was shorter but almost as much money, was spot on in my mind anyways. 

Maybe I got the thought process back to front.  Perhaps someone tried the Siglo I and thought "This'd be perfect if it were an inch longer but the same price" and volia, the Siglo II was born.  But then some bean counter had the brilliant idea of selling them both.

[SmokyFontaine]

Can't disagree that they are a horrible value (especially considering an HUHC is half the price) but from a flavor perspective, I find them fairly enjoyable. I didn't know what to expect, have also had mixed results with Siglo II's, so I figured what the hell, at the year-end clearance sale. Serves a purpose, and I seldom find myself upset that I'm smoking one, but I also seldom finding myself diving into the humidor to grab the next.