Cohiba was established in 1966
under the personal direction of Fidel Castro, initially crafted
exclusively for Cuban government officials at El Laguito factory in
Havana — a converted early-20th-century mansion staffed by the finest
torcedores in Cuba. When Cohiba was made available to the public in
1982, it became the most sought-after cigar brand in the world almost
immediately. Today it remains the flagship of Habanos S.A. and the universal
benchmark against which all other Cuban
cigars are measured.
Production remains concentrated at El Laguito and selected production
facilities in Havana, where quality control standards are among the most
rigorous of
any Cuban brand. Every Cohiba is
rolled exclusively from tobacco grown in the Vuelta Abajo region of
Pinar del Río — Cuba's finest tobacco-growing valley.
Why Cohiba
Cohiba is managed
directly under Habanos S.A. and built around a signature third
fermentation process — an extra fermentation step exclusive to
the brand that produces a more complex flavor profile, a richer aroma, and
an unusually smooth draw. That process, combined with tobacco grown
exclusively in Vuelta Abajo, is why Cohiba functions as the benchmark
against which other Cuban houses are measured, not just the most famous
name.
Cohiba's Lines, Compared
Cohiba's catalogue spans four core lines, each with a distinct
profile:
Cohiba Siglo Series — Línea 1492
Siglo I, II, III, IV, V and VI — medium-bodied, elegant,
and refined, built to highlight the nuanced side of Cuban tobacco
rather than raw power. Siglo VI and Siglo II are the two most
sought-after in Hong Kong for their balance and aging potential. The
series commemorates Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World as
part of the Línea 1492 collection.
Cohiba Línea Clásica
Robusto, Esplendidos, Coronas Especiales,
Panetelas, Piramides
Extra, Lancero,
Ambar and Medio Siglo — full-bodied
classics with cedar, spice, and a subtle sweetness. The Esplendidos
and Robusto are the two most requested vitolas in luxury cigar
lounges.
Cohiba Maduro 5
Secretos, Magicos and Genios —
a dark,
lustrous wrapper aged five years, delivering chocolate, roasted
coffee, and earth. This is the line for collectors who want Cohiba's
construction with a darker, heavier profile than the Siglo or Clásica
lines offer.
Cohiba Behike — The Ultra-Premium Standard
BHK 52, BHK 54 and BHK 56 — the ultrapremium
line, built around rare Medio Tiempo leaves (sometimes called the
"fourth filler leaf") for exceptional richness and a layered,
extraordinarily smooth smoke. BHK 52 and BHK 56 are the two most
prized in Hong Kong for aging potential and prestige value. Limited
releases such as the 55
Aniversario extend the line's exclusivity further.
Pairing
Recommendations
Cohiba's cedar-and-cream profile pairs
naturally with an Islay single malt — Laphroaig or The Macallan both hold their
own against the third-fermentation richness without overwhelming it.
For the darker Maduro 5 line, a Cognac such as Hennessy matches the chocolate
and roasted-coffee notes more directly.
Storing Your Cohiba
Cohiba, like any
premium Cuban cigar, holds its construction and flavor best at
65–70% relative humidity and around 18–20°C. A properly seasoned humidor is
the standard for
anything beyond short-term storage — particularly for Behike and
vintage boxes intended to age rather than smoke immediately.