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