Cohiba Cigars

I've always been fascinated by cigars, but I am by no means educated in regards to them. In fact, I really don't know anything about them, so feel free to correct any innaccuracies.

A few weeks ago I was in the Carribean and purchased a couple of Cuban Cohibas. I can't remember which one exactly, but they were the yellow band ones. I smoked those on the cruise ship before I got back into the US.

Then, before returning to the US, I bought a couple of Dominican Cohibas -- red dot Crystal Coronas. I have a small humidor I keep them in (it stays at 85% humidity, according the hygrometer). I smoked the first one the other day, and I really enjoyed it. Even being only about a $12 cigar, it is by far the most expensive cigar I have ever bought and smoked, and I really enjoyed it. A couple of things I noticed that I liked:

- The draw was really smooth
- It burned more evenly than any cigar I've ever smoked.

In short, I liked it and want more. However, I can't afford to spend $125-250/box that it costs at websites such as: http://www.bonitasmokeshop.com/Cohiba%20Cigars.htm

So, I did what any enterprising young person would do -- I looked on eBay. And I found out that although you cannot sell "cigars" on eBay, you can sell cigar "boxes" which may contain sealed, unopened cigars. Ostensibly, these cigars should be thrown away and never smoked (a policy I'm quite certain I would comply with <wink wink>).

These cigars go for (with shipping) about $50/box, but they're not the red dots cigars. What does this mean? The first picture is one such box. The second picture is another such box that is selling for about the same money, but these are the yellow band Cohibas, similar to the ones I bought in Jamiaca. The third and fourth pictures are of the Cohibas I brought back with me (Dominican) and would like to get more of, without breaking my meager budget.

So, the question is, will I be dissapointed if I buy a box of cigars like the ones on eBay, since I am expecting a quality similar the crystal corona red dot Cohibas? Keep in mind, however, I am no aficianado, so I may not be perceptive enough to pick up minute differences.
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Where's Gentry when you need him?

 

You have PM.

 

Andy,

I would not trust buying those Cuban Cohibas unless you know for sure the source. And, $50 for a box of cigars, you can bet it is nothing but trash. I guarantee you will be disappointed. I don't know what you like to smoke (flavor), it seems to me the real Cubans you smoked during the cruise could have been fakes or rejects. There are so many ways of figuring a fake from the real by just looking at them but the real test is when you smoke them. But it is very hard to tell if a cigar is a real reject.

Cohiba by far is one of the better Cuban cigar when considering the contraction, consistency, smoke quality (burn and ash) and taste. You also have to realize the best cigars go to high-end stores (for top $) and even then every cigar in a box will be meticulously inspected and rejects will be sent back. You may have purchased a reject during your cruise ‘cause Cohiba is no let down. My other favorite cigar is Padron Anniversario 1964 series (don’t mistake it with regular Padron). They are Nicaraguan and can be bought over the counter, but very limited, very hard to find, and very expensive.

By the way 85% is way too much to store your cigars they are almost wet. It may not matter if there is quick turn over in your humidor but generally you should keep them ideally around 70%. Cigars are like wine and are a living thing, in a right environment they last indefinitely and age for better and more complex taste. Add some propelynglycol (sp) to your water solution.

Enjoy!

 

Actually, I have to disagree a tab about the above comments on Cohiba consistency(Island variety). I have found Cuban Cohibas to be among the most inconsistent of the premium Cuban cigars(esp. larger sizes). I have seen so many of these rolled so tight that you will be blue in the face trying to get a decent draw of smoke from the cigar.

But you are correct about the rampant number of fakes out there. Somewhere close to 98%!

Most beginner cigar smokers won't be able to appreciate the complexities of many Cuban cigars. This is just something that takes time. My best advice is to locate 2 or 3 local tobacconists, visit each, find a knowledgeable person(beware of bull$hit artists just trying to push you onto anything), inform the tobacconist that you need some basic direction and education on cigars, purchase a couple of guides, and go from there.

The tobacconist will be able to show you some smokes that will not overpower you or your wallet. There are several great smokes that can be had for under $10. SEVERAL!

Once your tastes start to develope, you will find yourself wanting stronger and more complex cigars. Buy a cigar Dossier in order to keep track of the various smokes you sample.

Finally, once you start dabbling in the Cuban brands, remember that it is obnoxiously easy to fake cigars these days. When on vacation out of the states, most countries sell Cuban cigars through government sponsored stores. If ever in Spain, rack up!!! If ever in London, you MUST go to the Davidoff and Dunhill stores. The list goes on and on...

Start with something extremely mild such as a Cuban Bolivar Belicoso Fino or an H. Upman Sir Winston (ok just kidding, these will knock your socks off!)

Seriously though, I would recommend trying a Cuban Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure #2.

As per the humidor, 68-72% humidity is ideal. Anything too high or too low begins to screw with the cigars draw, flavor, ability to age properly, and ability to burn evenly.
Also, don't keep the humidor in a warm place, 70 degrees F is perfect. And please, use only distilled water! If you have trouble getting the humidity levels correct, there is some liquid you can buy at the tobacconist's store that is added to the distilled water in the sponge.

Jesus, which reminds me, you might also want to purchase a nice hygrometer, or at least make sure that the one you have is calibrated correctly. For calibration, look up the 'salt test' on various cigar sites such as www.cigaraficionado.com or www.cigarfamily.com

This was just a brief response off the top of my head, I am sure I left some things out!

Smoke if you got em! (not if it is a 'glass-top' cohiba )

 

It's hard to argue personal experience but I qualified with a statement by saying where/which stores they come from. Most Carabian countries are poor nations and hardly in a position to afford good cigars. They also cannot depend on the turist pay top $ for that type of merchendise so they end up getting the rejects with the real lable; hence cheap price. I would not buy Cubans at any of those countries unless it is a reputable cigar store. I have heard The best go to Switzerland and Spain.

Radioshak has a digital hygrometer/thermometer that is accurate and keeps track of min/max.

 

Excellent post John!



I agree 100% that Cohibas are VERY overrated.

Also agree that there are LOTS of great sticks available for less than $10.00

I'm puffing on an 7 year old Bahia Gold(the original white label gold) that is in my humble opinion better than 90% of what's coming out of Cuba today.