Gloves Off: One box of Cohiba Siglo 1 or 2 Boxes of San Cristobal Principe?

[El Presidente]

If you had to make a choice...one box of Cohiba Siglo 1 or 2 Boxes of San Cristobal Principe...which would you choose? 

I love both cigars.

The Perla/Half Corona division of CC to me is much like the Petit Corona division where it is Cohiba Siglo II running in 1st place as the best cigar and then there is daylight second. Yes, the PLPC with 5-8 years may run it close but you will need the moon and the stars to align. 

In the Perla/Half Corona division of the CC championships, price excluded from the discussion, the Cohiba Siglo 1 is the finest of all. Now, it does not streak away from the field as the Siglo II does in the PC stakes. I don't believe the Cohiba Siglo 1 has the QC and blend consistency of the Siglo II. What both of them have over the rest of the field however is a marvelous palate richness. 

Yet in the Perla/Half Corona there is one cigar that in my eyes takes it right up to the Cohiba Siglo 1 and that is the San Cristobal Principe. Is it the better cigar?...I will leave that decision up to you. Is the Cohiba Siglo 1 worthy of twice the price tag?...Eff no. 

Take a crack at the poll. Let us know what you think. 

[ryre]

Love both. I'd take the box of Siglo I as a prize because I have a hard time justifying the price. I can pony up for El Principes without hesitation. They are a great value in my book.

[JohnS]

My view is completely biased in that the San Cristobal de La Habana El Principe is one of the most well-stocked cigars in my humidor (only the Por Larranaga Montecarlos beats it in terms of number) and I'd be willing to replace them despite the elevated prices. Whilst I do enjoy an occasional, aged Cohiba Siglo I, I am fortunate enough to have other Cohiba options. 

So yes, I'd take two boxes of San Cristobal de La Habana El Principes any day.

[BG318]

Two boxes of the San Cristobal, please.

Can't find enough perlas, so I'm taking the volume, even though it's all hypothetical and I'll never see a stick.

[Chibearsv]

Easy answer for me. Siglo I is not worth the price. 

[Çnote]

2 of my favorite or 1 of something that underperforms? Gimme 2 please.

[Duder]

Though the El Principe is a favorite, and quite unique flavor profile that almost always delivers, I’ll take the Siglo I as I am after all a Cohiba maximalist. A long aged Siglo I is a rare treat. 

[Havanaaddict]

I am a Cohiba whore 😜 but I have a weak spot for aged San Cristobal El Principe. If you have ever had a 20 year old Principe you would be mind blown! That being said, a 20 year old Siglo I is also an amazing cigar!

[Ford2112]

Love the Siglo but I like the El Principe more. So that was easy.

[pohlmad]

Siglo I for me, no question. Love the complexity and richness of the flavor. I don’t dislike the El Principe but these cigars are in different leagues for me!  

[Nohiba]

Siglo I for me, at the moment, because whether they are young or have some years on them, they are just incredibly complex and lush for a short smoke. El Principes are unique and great in their own right. I go for them whenever I’m looking for something different in my short smokes, and I always come away thinking that there’s really nothing else like them. That said, I’ve only been put onto the El Principes late last year, and my box is only 34 months old, so maybe my answer will change when I try some with more years under them. 

[Capn_Jackson]

I’d take the two SCdLH El Principe boxes without hesitation. Siglo I has treated me nicely, but not as nicely as El Principes.

[westg]

Easy one and the last few have a tad difficult. Cohiba Siglo I. I've never really been a fan of the El Principe. One of the very few Cuban cigars I am not fan of. 

[gormag38]

Personally I've had better luck (and more examples) of the Siglo I. I also could envision myself ponying up and buying a box of El Principe as there is still some value (relative) there. The Siglo I, on the other hand, I will almost certainly never buy a box of again due to the new cost structure. So give me the Siglo I if I have a choice.