Cohiba Exquisito MRB FEB07

[El Presidente]

What a great review

You captured Cohiba flavours to a "T"

[Colt45]

Fantastic review! I believe this is the first '07 review on the board.

[Professor Twain]

Great review!

It is fitting that the first 07 review on the Board focus on this unsung hero of the Cohiba line. I think that the Exquisito provides the richest Cohiba taste of any that I have tried to date. Last time I checked in the International Shop reviews, Rob called these the "black sheep" of the Cohiba line. Rob, maybe it is time for you to revisit these and see if you think they belong in the upper echelon of Cohibas.

[marco polo]

Nice review !

[shrink]

Bravo, Steve. You have a way with words... I could taste it.

[Mikey]

I've always been a big fan of the Exquisitos.Thanks for the excellent review....I just might have to acquire some 06's and 07's for some nap time....

Yo,Prez....what do you have laying around that needs a new home??

[stever]

Didn't realize this is the only '07 review. El Prez, we need to change that! What is the outlook for '07?

The Exquisito doesn't get much press and I do think it is underrated. I'd like to get some well-aged ones.

[Cam]

that was a great review mate, I love the way you describe the flavours, and the pictures are bloody excellent!

Cam -

[Ginseng]

Wonderful review of one my absolute favorites in the Cohiba line. Well done!

Wilkey

[genevapics]

Strong review, bro. Felt like I was there in the room with you. Nice job.

[stever]

I really like the Cohiba Exquisito from ‘03 that I reviewed last November, so I decided to acquire some ’07, primarily to age. My earlier review is at [link]http://friendsofhabanos.com/board_entry.php?id=38460&page=0&category=Habanos+Review+Forum&order=subject&descasc=ASC[/link]

Exquisitos are typically pricey, especially for a 4.75” x 36 cigar, but they are IMHO an excellent smoke.

The ’07 sample is dark brown, slightly mottled and oozing oil. Construction is excellent, and there’s a very well crafted and discernable triple cap. There’s some weight to this cigar and a definite resiliency to the touch, qualities at this point that can be attributed to the cigar’s youth. The cigar is definitely wet, and the aroma is heavy and rich with wet hay, leather and mocha notes. The Exquisito just looks and smells like a classy cigar. At cold, the draw is medium, but tending on the firm side, with sweet hay and leather flavors.

The cigar lights easily, and, right from the first draw, I’m greeted by a rich, hearty, and slightly sweet smoke with all the characteristic Cuban tobacco and leather twang. This Exquisito announces its Cuban origin right from the get-go. Despite the firm draw, smoke volume is excellent and the aroma intoxicating. The smoke is heavy and dense, and has a great mouth feel. By the second draw, there’s a creamy, lush, hay-like sweetness, leading to a peppery tang, and finishing with rich tobacco and wet leather. There’s also a slight tang at the back of the throat. Overall, the cigar starts out with great flavors that are very well balanced.

At the one-inch mark there’s more of a floral, aromatic aspect to the smoke and I start to detect some toasted vanilla notes. There’s also more of a grassy sweetness on the finish and the tang at the back of the throat disappears. The burn is very good, despite how wet the cigar is, and the draw actually improves. The ash is a dirty grey color and striated. First ash is about an inch and a half.

At two-inches in, the cigar is producing sweet grass and vanilla notes with fleeting hints of orange citrus. At the halfway mark, there’s a flavor of rich wet leather -slightly peppery- that is balanced by hints of burnt sugar. The flavor combinations are nicely rounded and lush in the mouth. In the last third, toasted tobacco and leather flavors intensify, and I can taste some licorice. Strength and body increase, and the aftertaste is also more drawn-out. Near the end, cedar flavors appear, and interestingly enough, the vanilla bean and citrus notes reappear. A sweet grassy flavor also appears as a prelude to a rich tobacco and chewy leather finish.

Smoked this down to the nub. A very satisfying one-hour that I think will mirror, if not surpass, the ’03.

[jenkinschris]

Great Review Campanas & this is my Review of the Cohiba (Cuban), Exquisitos Cigar;

Construction: This cigar has no imperfections, quite a smooth rich, reddish brown wrapper with an oily sheen with no hard or soft spots. In a ‘nut shell’; a very well rolled cigar and a ‘workof art’.

Pre-Smoke: Very nice aroma and like with most other Cohiba cigars, you will be greeted with beautiful aromas each time you open your humidor. The aroma is soft and woody with a hint of roasted coffee bean. This cigar was a easy task to clip (which at times can be ‘problematic’ with smaller cigars), with no problems with un-raveling or ripping of the wrapper. Lighting presented no problems either and did not start "tunneling" or "canoeing". In fact, the burn was very ‘even’ and the draw was quite easy and ‘even’ from the fact this cigar was not too tightly rolled.

Smoking: When smoking this cigar, you will be pleasantly surprised by its smooth flavor. The combination of flavors is not very complex, due to its small ring gauge. Faint flavors of creamy cocoa and roasted coffee bean hit the palate first. This cigar has a medium body with hint of earthy and soft woody flavor and a hint of sweetness. This cigar does not overpower the senses at all. These flavors are more pronounced as you smoke this Seoane (small panatela), and did not become hot and/or harsh near the end. In addition, as you smoke this cigar you will be attracted by the flavor and amount of fragrant smoke, but you may wish this cigar were larger and able to display more complexity. Furthermore, the burn time was about 30-45 (depending on your smoking style), minutes of pure Cohiba bliss.

Conclusion: A very good and consistent Cohiba and perfect when paired with a cup of strong coffee and/or with a ‘snifter’ of fine Brandy, Cognac or Rum (I like 10 Cane Rum) . From the triple fermenting and slight aging, the secret blending and the finest choices of the Cuban tobaccos, the Exquisito is an outstanding cigar for those desiring a rich, well-balanced medium smoke in a Seoane format

[dicko]

Look I'm new to cigars but have rattled through dozens and dozens of reviews this was an absolute stand out! thanks for posting.

only had a couple of cohiba's but the hay/grassy and sweet leather has been prominent. wish i had more $$$ lol!

[Troels]

Any recent thoughts on these?

[Troels]

Had a recent one a little while ago that made me look for a box. The are not abundant - and not much talked of - do you guys keep them a deep secret in order to keep them for yourselves - our just dont think they're worth the coin?

[JohnS]

Any recent thoughts on these?

Had a recent one a little while ago that made me look for a box. The are not abundant - and not much talked of - do you guys keep them a deep secret in order to keep them for yourselves - our just dont think they're worth the coin?

I add my kudos to the original review as it's absolutely spot on! Rich leather, grass/hay, vanilla and creaminess with beautiful dense smoke. I'm into the last third of an '07 Exquisito (gifted by Trevor - many thanks my dear friend!) and the ash is indeed a dirty grey colour, with each ash-length approaching an inch-and-a half.

Black sheep of the Cohiba marca, indeed!

Cuban Cigar Website lists this as current at the time of writing this post, but I've not seen these around.