Cohiba Esplendido

[Colt45]

I've had these for over a year, but don't know the codes, though I'd guess they are

from '05.

A deep colorado wrapper, relatively smooth with quite a sheen. A nearly perfect draw

with a somewhat flowery burn. Overall, very well constructed.

This sample did not change over the course of the smoke. At the core, buttery

shortbread, along with slightly overbrewed black tea. A little bit of grassiness. A

quite dense mouthfeel. A finish of slightly tannic cedar, with white pepper on the lips,

tongue, and front of the palate.

Overall, an average smoke. I've only had a few of these, and given great experiences

with the Cohiba robusto, and the premium these command, I find myself slightly

underwhelmed. Comparatively, an SLR churchill smoked earlier in the day was

equally, if not more enjoyable.

[Ken Gargett]

i think this can be one of the greatest of all cigars. can fluctuate a little but even if not at top of its game, is usually pretty good. when it is in form, stunning. mate in havana gave me a box a year or so ago. at one stage, thanks to the sticky fingers of el prez, it looked like i wouldn't get any home. managed some which i put away as these were fabulous. have smoked quite a few SLR churchills and while they can be good, think that they fall well short of the esplendido and when the latter is good, the SLR's don't come within the proverbial bull's roar.

[El Presidente]

Nice review Shrink.

Definately a hit and miss cigar and one of those cigars which I have found needs some serious ime in the humidor to show its true self. On a side note I have found many of the larger formats to need 4+ years to be in the "top of the class" category. The only exception that comes to mind is the Saint Luis Rey Double Corona.

[Colt45]

» Nice review Shrink.

»

Merlo coffee? I'm sure Shrink will be pleased.

I don't want to give the impression that I thought it a "bad" cigar, just not what I

personally expect from this marque. I'm sure that they can be sublime.

[El Presidente]

» » Nice review Shrink.

» »

» Merlo coffee? I'm sure Shrink will be pleased.

»

» I don't want to give the impression that I thought it a "bad" cigar, just

» not what I

» personally expect from this marque. I'm sure that they can be sublime.

oops.....sorry mate ;-)

I should have known it was you Ross from the quality of the review :-D

I lit a SLR Churchill March 05 about 20 minutes ago. It is dismal and I have no wish to continue with it. About to launch it for the freefall to the garden.

[bassman]

SLR Monarch? Never had one. The SLR Churchill is a nice morning cigar- not very strong, but tasty. As for Esplendidos, I'm still working on a box of 01s, so can't comment on anything never. 01s are migty good, though.

[anacostiakat]

Sorry to hear that.

I got a 15er of these from '04. I have smoked two and they have been magnifico!

[xibbumbero]

My guess is it was still too young. However,before speculation on the age,where was this obtained? I'm sure you are aware the Cohiba Esplendido is one of the most counterfeited cigars in th world. X:-|

[Mel]

How do you all pronounced the name of this cigar??

Is it Es plen di' do, with emphasis on the next to last syllable as is the normal Spanish way/

or

Es plen' di do, with the accent on the second syllable?

[Colt45]

» However,before speculation on the age,where was this obtained?

»

While the company I obtained these from can be quite difficult to deal with, the cigars

are legitimate - at least most of the time.

» How do you all pronounced the name of this cigar??

»

» Is it Es plen di' do, with emphasis on the next to last syllable as

» is the normal Spanish way/

»

» or

»

» Es plen' di do, with the accent on the second syllable?

I pronounce it the second way.

[Guest cohiba]

You know this is a interesting cigar. I have posted on it a couple of times. I have had some steller examples. And some terrible ones as well. My box from Prez is Sep 04. Had one this last saturday, good cigar but not as good as the one a couple weeks prior, from the same box. However.....much better than the one i posted on about 7 months ago. I also have some from Prez's 02 aged stock. Havent been very impressed with those either. Im waiting for another 6 months or so before i hit the box again. I would definatly buy more, possibly for Rob to store and then realease a couple years later.

By the way Prez, can you review a 06 for us? Would be much appreciated !!!

[Mel]

El Prez. how do the Cuban people pronounce this word?

Thanks Colt I have two buddies that say that is the correct way but it does violate the rules of the Spanish langue.

[El Presidente]

» El Prez. how do the Cuban people pronounce this word?

»

» Thanks Colt I have two buddies that say that is the correct way but it

» does violate the rules of the Spanish langue.

Esplendido

emphasis on the di

[Miami101]

Good job Colt45....

Very good review...

[Matthew]

I had an '01 Espy last night - good cigar, but didn't meet my expectations considering the number of truly outstanding Cohibas (Lancero, CCE, Sig V, Reservas) I've had from '01 or even younger.

[zuma]

» Esplendido

»

» emphasis on the di

I'd be damned... I always thought that it was Spanish! In which case the emphasis is in the PLEN.

But then, we tend to bastardise everything in Latin-America (or Hispano-america, as also known south of the rio Grande).

[Mike33]

Nice review Colt!

I have a special place in my heart for Esplendidos. They were my first real cuban and I have loved them ever since. I have had some from '04 that were fantastic and have a box from '05 that is good, but needs several more years to really become special.

[Mel]

» » Esplendido

» »

» » emphasis on the di

»

» I'd be damned... I always thought that it was Spanish! In which case the

» emphasis is in the PLEN.

»

» But then, we tend to bastardise everything in Latin-America (or

» Hispano-america, as also known south of the rio Grande).

My understanding of Spanish says the accent is always on the next to last sylable unless marked otherwise by an accent mark.

[zuma]

» My understanding of Spanish says the accent is always on the next to last

» sylable unless marked otherwise by an accent mark.

You are spot on Mel... in the Diccionario de la Lengua Española (vigésima segunda edición) by the Real Academia Española, you will find that the Esplendido does have an accent mark (not used in the English speaking world):

espléndido, da.

(Del lat. splendidus).

1. adj. Magnífico, dotado de singular excelencia.

2. adj. Liberal, desprendido.

3. adj. resplandeciente. U. m. en leng. poét.

[Colt45]

Thanks for the replies. So let me ask this: for those who've smoked various

vintages over the years, when you average them all together, where does this one

stand for you against other marques of the same format?

And, where does it stand in the Cohiba line for you? Thanks for any replies.

As for the pronunciation, I'm a little confused (yes, I know - why is today any

different from any other day, thank you)

I've been pronouncing it (roughly) e-splendid-oh. I'm taking it that the correct

pronunciation is (again roughly) e-splen-deed-oh?

[Mel]

» Thanks for the replies. So let me ask this: for those who've smoked

» various

» vintages over the years, when you average them all together, where does

» this one

» stand for you against other marques of the same format?

» And, where does it stand in the Cohiba line for you? Thanks for any

» replies.

»

» As for the pronunciation, I'm a little confused (yes, I know - why is

» today any

» different from any other day, thank you)

» I've been pronouncing it (roughly) e-splendid-oh. I'm taking it that the

» correct

» pronunciation is (again roughly) e-splen-deed-oh?

Well screw me, I'm wrong again or am I? As Zuma has pointed out the word is found in the spanish dictionary,, as an adjective with an accent mark on the second syllable. On the box of cigars however is a noun with no accent mark. Who can give us the final word? How abought you Lisa we all know the female always gets the last word.;-)