Cohiba Cigars
Cohiba is the cigar brand most people have heard of and fewer know how to buy well. Two companies make cigars called Cohiba. One is Cuban and cannot be sold in the US. The other is Dominican and is in every shop. This guide covers which is which, what each line tastes like, and which one to pick up first.
Why Buying Cohiba Blind Is a Gamble
Many beginners do not know this: there are two entirely different companies making cigars called "Cohiba." One is made in Cuba and cannot be sold in the United States. The other is made in the Dominican Republic and is widely available in US shops. They look similar, share a name, and cause constant confusion.
Cuban Cohiba
- Made by: Habanos S.A. (Cuba)
- Founded: 1966
- US availability: Not legal to sell in the US
- Factory: El Laguito, Havana
- Strength: Medium to medium-full
Dominican Cohiba (US)
- Made by: General Cigar Co.
- Founded: 1978 (US market)
- US availability: Widely sold in all 50 states
- Country: Dominican Republic
- Strength: Medium to full (depends on line)
Why Cohiba Commands a Premium 60 Years In
Cuban Cohiba started in 1966 as Fidel Castro's personal brand. Eduardo Ribera, a cigar roller known as El Laguito, began making them for Castro at the El Laguito factory in Havana. For years they were given only as diplomatic gifts. In 1992, Habanos S.A. opened Cohiba to public export. They became the most recognized Cuban cigar in the world.
Cuban Cohiba Lines
Linea Clasica (Siglo I-VI)
The core line. Six vitolas named Siglo I through Siglo VI (century). Creamy, slightly earthy, cedar and light floral notes. Medium strength. The Esplendidos (Churchill size) is the most recognized worldwide.
Behike
The top tier. Made with medio tiempo leaves, a rare third leaf found only on about 10% of tobacco plants. Very expensive, often $60 to $100+ per cigar on the secondary market. Rich, complex, full-bodied for a Cuban.
Maduro 5
Cuba's answer to maduro wrappers. Fermented five years. Darker, sweeter, more complex than the Clasica line. Uncommon outside of Cuba.
The Lines You Can Actually Buy in the US
General Cigar launched its US Cohiba in 1978 after a trademark dispute. The brand became established before the Cuban embargo fully solidified the legal landscape. It is a different product from a different company but uses the same name. The cigars are made in the Dominican Republic with Dominican and other tobacco blends.
Cohiba Black
Bold, full body. Dark Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. Notes of dark chocolate, pepper, and espresso. This is not a beginner cigar.
Cohiba Red Dot
Medium body, the most accessible US Cohiba. The entry point for the Dominican line. Smooth, creamy, cedar finish. Widely available.
Cohiba Macassar
Medium-full, aged tobacco blend. More complexity than the Red Dot. Oak, leather, and spice profile. A step up in strength and price.
Cuban vs. Dominican: What the Difference Actually Means in the Smoke
| Category | Cuban Cohiba | Dominican Cohiba (US) |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Medium to medium-full | Medium to full (by line) |
| Primary notes | Cream, cedar, light floral | Tobacco-forward, leather, dark chocolate (Black) |
| Finish | Smooth, lingering | Richer, spicier on the Black |
| Body | Well-rounded, elegant | Bolder overall |
| Price range | $30 to $100+ (outside US) | $12 to $30 in the US |
What to Do When a Shop Claims to Have Cuban Cohiba
No. Cuban cigars remain under a US trade embargo. It is illegal to sell or import Cuban cigars for commercial purposes in the United States. After 2016 rule changes, US travelers can bring back up to $100 worth of Cuban goods (including cigars) for personal use. But buying, selling, or distributing them in the US is still illegal.
If a shop is selling you "Cuban Cohiba" in the US, it is either counterfeit, illegally imported, or the Dominican version. Be skeptical of any deal that seems too good for a Cuban cigar.
Stop Guessing Which Cohiba Is Worth It
Log each Cohiba you smoke in CigarsBase. Rate the draw, burn, and flavor. After a few smokes across the Dominican and Cuban lines you will know exactly which one matches your palate and which you skip next time. Both lines are in the 1,840-cigar database. Free download, no subscription.
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