Cohiba Millenium Reserve Piramide

Produced: February 1999
Tobacco Provence: Vuelta Abajo
Factory: Partagas
Length: 6 inches
Ring Gauge: 52
Purchased: Vancouver Cigar Company, 2006.

Location: San Benancio Road off Route 68, between Salinas and Carmel California
Date: May 20th, 2006
Time: 3:30pm Pacific
Conditions: Partly Cloudy and Mild, 72 degrees

We are celebrating Kelly's graduation at her Mom's house off of Route 68. Leslie, Amber and I drove down from the city for the day to join the BBQ and hopefully, light up a great smoke! The drive which normally takes 2 hours, lasted much longer as we had to endure three separate accidents on the 101 as we made our way past San Jose and into Monterey County. We finally made it to enjoy the BBQ with all the fixins.

The Cigar!
After the meal, I went outside and sat by the pool and fired up my very special smoke. It is a Cohiba Millennium Reserve Piramide. I aquired the jar (25 cigars) from my pals in Vancouver and this stick looks especially good. Three new shapes were officially launched during the Millennium Festival in February 1999, at La Havana, Cuba.



Each new shape is presented in a special porcelain Jar (made in Spain by Bidasoa, the same who made the famous Cohiba Jars for the 30th Aniversario) containing 25 special Puros. The cigars have a special ring “2000” made exclusively to commemorate the event. The Millennium Reserve Commemorative Jar - Cohiba Piramides, only had 6000 units produced.




Tasting Notes
I light the cigar and from the very first draw I realize this is going to be special. Mildly aromatic and smokey, the pyramide is subtle and flavorful. Tasting of spice and chocolate, it starts to mellow as I work my way through.

I'm sitting by the pool and a number of people join me who are cigarette smokers. Conversation around the real estate market starts, but I find it hard to join in as this smoke is so distracting. I am totally spoiled and wonder how long it will take me to get through this jar.


Score: 95

Cohiba Esplendidos Tubos

Produced: May 1994
Length: 7 inches
Ring Gauge: 47
Purchased: Miami, 2001.


Smoking Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Date: May 2nd, 2006
Time: 7:30pm Pacific
Conditions: Clear evening and Hot, 92 degrees

I am at a corporate planning session at the Scottsdale Princess Resort. We have just finished a long and productive day and are having a buffet dinner by the pool. It's hot and sticky out tonight and the cold beers are very welcome!

There are a group of us standing around after dinner and I pull out my bag of sticks. I share them around... mainly Serie D's and some cohiba robustos. Once everyone has a smoke I reach for what I have come to believe as one the best smokes I have in my collection... a Cohiba Esplendidos.



The Cigar!
Cohiba Esplendido is the flagship brand of Habanos, created in 1966 for President Fidel Castro himself and was made at the then top secret but now world famous El Laguito factory. Cohiba's origins all began in the mid '60s when one of Castro's bodyguards enjoyed a private supply of cigars from a local artisan. They so pleased the President that the creator, Eduardo Robera, was asked to make cigars of his blend exclusively for the Castro.

In 1968 the brand was given the name 'Cohiba' and for 14 years was reserved solely for government and diplomatic use. Three principles have made Cohiba Havana's premier marque and, arguably, the world's finest cigar. Firstly, the best selection of leaves, next a unique third fermentation and finally, the best rollers.

The tobacco leaves for Cohiba Esplendido are the selection of the five finest Vegas Finas de Primera in the San Juan y Martinez and San Luis zones of the Vuelta Abajo region. All sizes of Cohiba Esplendido are totally handmade.

I bought a box of these in metal tubes from my Miami pal whose family works at El Laguito. He no longer is in the business and has recently retired in the Dominican Republic.


Tasting Notes
I unscrew the metal tube and slide out the puro with the cedar still wrapped around it. The aroma from the open tube almost knocks me over. What a delightful experience... finally letting this stick see the outside after being enclosed for almost 12 years.

Under the balmy hot conditions it doesn't take much to get this lit. The stick is still oily and the wrapper has a couple of veins showing. The feel is moderate firmness and the cap is well rolled. I cut a "cat's eye" on the cap and gently light this beauty. The first draws are soft and smooth. An inch into the smoke the ash is pure white and tight.

The enjoyment gets better as the taste is rich on the palate, this Churchill is the father of all Churchills. Its aromas convey hot cocoa and refined spices pleasing to the palate. Rich and strong, this is the perfect way to prolong an evening after a long day of corporate debate.


Score: 97