Aarrgghh!!

Cohiba Robusto


temp_measure_cohiba

Over the weekend I attended the wedding of a good friend of mine. Cigars were distributed, Cuban cigars. Now don't get me wrong, I won't fly in the face of every cigar expert out there, and say that Cuba does not produce the finest cigars in the world, but I do not put Cubans on the exalted pedestal that everyone else does. Don't get me wrong, the Cuban Montecristo Especial No.2 is perhaps the finest cigar I have ever had, but my other experiences with Cubans have not lived up to their reputation. In fairness, Cubans are so sought after by people who "only smoke Cubans," that there are many counterfeits. Since I don't travel outside the county very often, my cigars are usually supplied be people who don't know cigars. Consequently, my experience with real Cubans might be limited.

Disclaimer over, on to the cigar. I was presented with it at the after-party for the wedding. It had an incredible draw, perfectly smooth. It burned freakishly even. It tasted good, not incredible, but good. It packed a great nicotine buzz. In short it was an incredibly satisfactory experience and I smoked the thing pretty much until it burned my lips. It was very good.

Stats: It's about 5 inches by 50 ring gauge. You can't buy them in the US, but if you could they're about $21 bucks a pop. That's definitely over-priced, but since I didn't pay for it, I'm not complaining.

Now, I held off until I had written the review to determine if it was a fake or not. I looked up the wrapper, and it turns out there is a good chance it is a fake. However I didn't get a load of the box, and supposedly that's a more important indication. Either way, I feel slightly vindicated. If it was real, then Cubans are not so good that they stand out when you really have them. If it was a fake, then goes to show you that you don't have to have a genuine Cuban to have a good cigar.


August 15, 2005 Posted by Terrence Ryan at 12:28 AM

Cigar Reviews, Cigars,



Comments

Excellent review. So was it a Cohiba that was claiming to be FROM Cuba, or was it the Cohiba brand Dominican Republic?


Posted by: Ryan at August 16, 2005 10:06 PM

Aarrgghh Guy! For those of you that don't know what Ryan is talking about, many Cuban brands have been co-opted by companies outside of Cuba, as the US (a pretty big market) does not recognize Cuban copyrights. This is made even muddier by the fact that many of the non-Cuban brands are run by expatriot families who ran the brands back in Cuba. So there is a Dominican Cohiba and a Cuban one. However, this is absurd as the Cohiba is a post embargo brand.

As for this cigar, it was definately claiming to be from Cuba. (If you look at the wrapper in the picture you can see the older location label La Habana, Cuba)




Posted by: Terrence Ryan at August 16, 2005 10:16 PM

I just came across your postings for cigar tastings; i got there by looking for a good jamaican cigar because i believe that the soil should produce incredible cigars, along the lines of the best Cubans. I think in particular about this Cohiba you smoked, that if a counterfeit is that good then bring on more of them. My experience in the last ten years of smoking cubans in four different countries around the world that the better ones are easily distinguishable and entirely consistent. Particularly Partagas (including their consistently inconsistent quality, but the taste is allways the same), esplendido (had the good fortune of getting two boxes direct from cuba) etc. If you have a good taste memory then you wont be fooled even once. Cheers on the good cigar log you keep.


Posted by: Eirikr at February 3, 2007 6:58 AM

Aarrgghh Guy! Eirikr: Thanks for the good wishes. I'm glad you like the blog.




Posted by: Terrence Ryan at February 8, 2007 12:58 AM

I first would like to thank you for all the reviews. As far as the cuban cohiba robusto, it was by far my favorite cigar when i lived overseas, and an extremely highly rated cigar. There is one thing i would like to bring to your attention, cuban cigars are almost never cello wraped. If the picture u posted is the picture of the cigar u smoke, it was probably a fake. Just got back from DR and got my first cubans in 2 1/2 years. They really are easily distinguishable and entirely consistent. And i already miss them so much. I'm saving few cohibas siglo VI and Partagas Serie D #4 for some special occasions :) Long life to your blog.


Posted by: Mounir at May 11, 2007 3:45 AM

I agree with Mounir I've smoked a ton of Cubans since I don't live in the US I find them with relative ease. In my experience no Cohiba has ever been shipped wrapped in cellophane. Infact most original Cubans tend to be simply wrapped in a sheet of cedar or in a plastic tube never wrapped in cellophane though there are a few partagas cigars that come wrapped in cellophane though those could be the ones produced in the Dominican Republic.

Cohiba Robusto is the King of Robustos and an unforgettable experience just bought myself a box don't think I'll let them age much.. anyway for those looking to buy some they're usually sold in slabs of 25 or 50.


Posted by: Daniyal at July 13, 2007 12:35 PM

Sorry to intrude once again but Habanos SA, the company that distributes Cohibas, changed the ring marking the cigars around 2000 the new ring has four white dotted rows above the Cohiba brand name not two as visible in the picture displayed above.


Posted by: Daniyal at July 13, 2007 12:39 PM

Hate to tell you this but that is indeed a fake Cohiba, The band is way off, not enough dodts in the background, no gold embossing on the lettering or stipes, also the printing at the bottom "la Habana" is way too heavy, then there is the cello. it doesn't look like a robusto either, too long and skinny, cohiba robustos are 5 x 50.


Posted by: Orlenz at July 26, 2007 5:09 PM

here is a photo af a real Cohiba band.

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/Graphics/Counterfeit/cohiba_genuine.gif

and the cohiba robusto

http://www.puroexpress.com/index.php?FuseAction=ImageManager.get&Size=160x160&Image=IM_Custom%2FContentStore%2FAssets%2F5%2F14%2F%2FProductImages%2F0b33dd64bf6f66027b7676624ed75d92.jpg


Posted by: Orlenz at July 26, 2007 5:32 PM

Hate to be a buzz kill but just got back from Aruba last week (where I smoked about four of the Cohiba robustos) and can tell by looking at the mottled, vieny wrapper that it isn't a Cuban Cohiba (or Dominican Cohiba either), cellophane is never a good sign. The Cohiba is a very hard, tight stick not at all spongey. the wrapper is very thin and the smoke is extremely creamy--you may not know that you're smoking a Cuban but mark my words, if you know a good cigar, you'll know that you're smoking something special (currently my fourth favorite cigar). On a side note: I finally smoked a Monte#2 and it wasn't mind blowing but an excellent smoking experience. A Padron will smoke just as nice. Monte#1 and #4 and Romeo Churchill are must smokes as always. Cuaba Divinos are plugged about every third one (and a bit harsh). They usually need time in the humidor to even out and a good skewering if they wont cooperate Punch--I've had better. Trinidad--Oh My God! I bought the three-pack of the robusto-extra and was blown away. Note on smoking in Aruba: Smoke in doors as the wind and humidity tend to cause cigars to burn unevenly and go out prematurely. I thought I got beat a few times with fakes (I did on a Monte#1 and a Hoyo) just look for triple capping (three rings on the clip end and they should look PERFECT). Look out for discounts if you buy a box. Cuban cigars don't need to be discounted. If you're going to break the law, purchase them from a Casa de la Habano. Cancun Mexico also has a store in the mall. Hotels have limited selection but are usually good.


Posted by: mjtcuba at August 20, 2007 5:00 PM

Aarrgghh Guy! Sadly, I've known for quite some time, that is was a fake.




Posted by: Terrence Ryan at August 21, 2007 1:50 AM

I BOUGHT A FEW IN MEXICO, CAME IN A SINGLE CARDBORAD YELLOW BOX WITH THE LOGO'S, ALSO CAME IN DIFFERENT SIZES?


Posted by: JEFF at November 29, 2007 4:44 PM

I can say for certain just looking at the image it is fake. Cohibas don't come in cellophane, and the band has only two rows of dots above the logo. Fake. A couple other posts here are from unfortunate fake experiences as well. I have been in some very reputable cigar shops in Canada where they are legal, and ALL of there "Cuban" cigars were fake. In fact, on a recent trip to Vancouver Cn. I went into 4 different cigar shops and all the Cubans were fake. I don't think they even know it.

If you get your hands on a real Cohiba, you'll know it, and never forget the experience either.

Stevo


Posted by: Stevo at April 30, 2008 8:29 PM

Sorry to burst your bubble, but 99% of cuban cigars (real ones) never come in cellophane wrapper! Especially COHIBAS! If you smoked the one in the picture then it was def. a fake!!! I'm not saying that all cuban cigars are the best, but the overwhelming (real) cuban cigars will blow you away.


Posted by: Carlos at February 27, 2009 12:25 AM

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