Tuesday May 4th through Thursday May 6th sees an exciting new celebratory event by Habanos S.A titled ‘Habanos World Days’.
In previous years the ‘Habanos Festival’ would take place, an event in which cigar fans would travel to Havana to take part in a myriad of cigar focussed activities. Last year’s outbreak of Covid-19 meant that event promoters had to temporarily postpone this much loved festival.
Cohiba
2021 is a very special year for Cuba’s most beloved brand Cohiba. It marks the 55th anniversary of the iconic brand’s inception, the reason for the ‘Habanos World Days 2021’ festivities. The year of 1966 saw Fidel Castro employ local artisan Eduardo Ribera to manufacture a private stock of cigars for himself and other high ranking communist party officials, as well as foreign dignitaries.
A chance encounter through a mutual friend had brought the two together. As the story goes, Castro was so impressed upon trying one of these cigars that he immediately summoned Ribera and his family. An anxious Ribera arrived fearing the worst. Much to his surprise Castro praised his skills, ordering that Ribera and his family move to a new premises to immediately start work on what would become known as Cohiba’s.
It was then that El Laguito was established, the home of the Cohiba operation. The work was top secret and for good reason. Many wild assassination attempts had been plotted by the CIA in the attempt to humiliate or kill Castro. With such schemes as exploding cigars being deployed, this work and the knowledge of it was on a strict need-to-know basis.
For many years little changed. It wasn’t until 1982 that Cohiba would see a global release (excluding U.S territories) in conjunction with the 1982 World Cup in Spain. At first three sizes were available, these were as follows: Panatela, Corona Especial & the Lancero. The reception was overwhelmingly positive. In 1989 the releases of the Robusto, Exuisito & Esplendido saw the completion of what we now know as the ‘linea clasica’.
For the next three decades (until present) Cohiba has gone on to dominate the cigar world, becoming easily one of the most recognisable brand logos globally. Major successes such as the rare and elusive Behike have only further propelled their legend. For a sense of sophistication and unparalleled craftsmanship Cohiba is the go to brand for any cigar aficionado.
The Construction Of A Cohiba
Cohiba’s allure is well earned. The company uses tobacco grown in the San Luis & San Juan Martinez zones. These are located in the highly exclusive Vuelta Abajo region in the province of Pinar Del Rio. This area is prime estate for ‘Vegas Finas de Primera’. In English this translates to ‘first class tobacco fields’. This status is earned in part to the soil which bears properties that are integral in growing the finest cigar leaf tobaccos. Other geographical factors such as altitude and climate also play a big part in the growing of first class tobacco, and these are all found to be ideal in this locale.
The team at Cohiba are very specific with their quality control and anything failing to meet the high standards at inspection will not be used in the further manufacture of Cohibas. Once all the checks have been made the tobacco is taken to El Laguito to be treated to a special third fermentation process whereby the leaves are stored in wooden barrels for a designated time period. This process is what gives the tobacco its unparalleled rich and smooth characteristics.
The last crucial factor is that of the rolling process. The team of torcedors at Cohiba are the best-of-the-best. Their expertise and years of experience guarantee the end product to be of the highest standard.
The rolling of the cigar takes place at the torcedors workbench. Here they first take the binder leaf and remove the stem from the middle, splitting the leaf in two. From here the torcedor will start preparing the filler by taking a combination of Ligero, Seco and Volado leaves. Each of these bear a different sought after property in cigar construction. Ligero gives the blend its body, the Seco adds flavour and the Volado helps with combustion. Each of these are integral to the construction of a good cigar. Once the torcedor has bunched these together he will roll them in the binder before applying the wrapper leaf and trimming any excess. The wrapper leaf is chosen for its aesthetic qualities.
Celebrities & Cohiba Cigars
There is nothing more agreeable than having a place where one can throw on the floor as many cigar butts as one pleases without the subconscious fear of a maid who is waiting like a sentinel to place an ashtray where the ashes are going to fall.
– Fidel Castro
For many years prominent stars of the big screen, as well as musicians, have been seen with a Cohiba cigar in hand. Male and female alike, those at the top of their game appreciate the finer things in life and when it comes to cigars, Cohiba is the paramount chief.
In more recent years we have seen the likes of music superstar Rihanna relishing Cohiba Corona Minors and Kanye West posing whilst savouring a Cohiba Robusto. British star of the screen Tom Hardy has been seen on nights out enjoying the elusive Behike and it would be fair to say the most famous fan of Cohiba was the late Fidel Castro himself. With a younger generation of celebrities taking part in this age-old pursuit for pleasure, a new wave of enthusiastic cigar smokers emerge to join the vanguard.
If you would like to read more about the fascinating history of Cohiba why not check out one of the following books:
A phrase repeated with conviction. The very essence of the exacting standards of Celia Sanchez. She herself transformed the word Cohiba into the world’s most coveted Habano brand. Designed for the most demanding of aficionados and connoisseurs alike.
Adargelio Garrido de la Grana tells the story of a unique product. Through a chance smoking by Fidel Castro, it has become a status symbol and a source of pride. As a result it is the go to for those savouring exceptional quality.
Published by Cuba’s Tobacco Research Institute, “The World of the Habano” is a 190-page book, packed with pictures, notes and diagrams.
It reveals how Habanos are made from seeds to finished boxes.
It contains biographies of all 27 brands and includes an easy guide to all their shapes and sizes.
Party Like It’s 1966
As Habanos specialists, we at The Pipe Shop Ltd have assembled an array of products to help you commemorate this historic event. Pull up your favorite chair, pour your drink of choice and light up one of these classic, classy Cohiba’s. Or for those who are not partial to a Cohiba, we have a selection of other terrific Havana’s to ensure that no one is left out.
Why not send us your cigar selfie to ThePipeShopLTD Facebook page and share with our customers your favourite Havana (and pose).
VITOLA: Robusto
RING GAUGE: 50
LENGTH: 4⅞ Inches – 124 mm
ORIGIN: Cuba
The cigar that sparked the Robusto revolution from 1989 onward and remains firmly in the vanguard of this important vitola. Rich and deep notes in addition with spicy tones mean this is one not to be missed. Subsequently it is one of the most sought after Cuban Cigars worldwide, a true Robusto worthy of it’s prestige.
VITOLA: Mareva
RING GAUGE: 42
LENGTH: 5⅛ Inches – 129 mm
ORIGIN: Cuba
This Mareva or Petit Corona size provides the ideal introduction to the taste, quality and style of Cohiba. Start here, then explore. Like the other Siglos this cigar is creamy, medium-bodied with a pleasant tobacco taste.
A presentation gift box containing six Piramides:
- 1x Cohiba
- 1x Montecristo
- 1x Partagas
- 1x Romeo y Julietta
- 1x Hoyo De Monterrey
- 1x H.Upmann
VITOLA: Julieta No.2
RING GAUGE: 47
LENGTH: 7 inches – 178 mm
ORIGIN: Cuba
Take a step back in time with these brilliant, aged Romeo y Julieta Churchill’s packaged in the iconic previous tubes from the past decade. Specially aged tobacco has been resting for over 5 years before being rolled into these triumphant Churchill’s. Any Romeo y Julieta fan will want to get their hands on these limited edition cigars before they go. Smooth, earthy and rich in flavour.
![Partagas - 2017 Series E No.1 [Limited Edition] (Single Loose Cigar)](https://thepipeshop.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Partagas-Series-E-No.1-Single-Loose-Cigar-£36.40_TDS7779-767x665.jpg)
VITOLA: Noblezas
RING GAUGE: 52
LENGTH: 5¼ inches
ORIGIN: Cuba
The Limited Edition Partagas 2017 Series E No.1 is presented as a brand new vitola; the Noblezas. At 5¼ inches in length and an accommodating 52 ring gauge, this cigar will captivate you with it’s pleasant but complex smoke for more than an hour. Full-bodied with an intense richness granted to it through the Maduro leaf harnessed in it’s blend make this a truly enigmatic cigar. The finest selection of leaves from the much coveted Veulta Abajo region are provided to the most proficient torcedors with the end result being a must try Limited Edition for all Cuban connoisseurs.
VITOLA: Gordito
RING GAUGE: 50
LENGTH: 5½ inches – 140 mm
ORIGIN: Cuba
The first of the extra length robustos made in Cuba. A stout size that matches the sturdiness of Old Havana’s Fuerza fortress after which it is named. Light to medium taste with bags of elegance.
VITOLA: Media Luna
RING GAUGE: 50
LENGTH: 4½ Inches – 115 mm
ORIGIN: Cuba
A new vitola for the Trinidad range, the Media Luna has a nice 50 ring gauge, offering good flavour whilst still retaining the smooth, creamy coffee notes.
VITOLA: Corona Gorda
RING GAUGE: 46
LENGTH: 5⅝ Inches – 143 mm
ORIGIN: Cuba
This cabinet selection cigar bundle tied in a silk-ribbon first saw the light of day in the mid 1980’s. It revitalised the traditional image of the brand with its elegant light to medium taste in a girth that rewards the palate.
VITOLA: Mananitas
RING GAUGE: 46
LENGTH: 4 Inches – 101 mm
ORIGIN: Cuba
A fantastic new range of cigars from the Vuelta Abajo zone, Vegueros offer you the perfect aperitif cigar, the Mananitas. Short with a torpedo tip these cigars offer beautiful notes of cream, earth and coffee.
VITOLA: Double Corona
RING GAUGE: 49
LENGTH: 7⅝ Inches – 194 mm
ORIGIN: Cuba
An exceptional Double Corona with all the depth of flavour that Ramon Allones always promises. Its full potential is revealed steadily during the hour or more it takes to smoke.
VITOLA: Aromosos
RING GAUGE: 56
LENGTH: 5⅞ Inches – 150 mm
ORIGIN: Cuba
Le Hoyo De Rio Seco is part of the Le Hoyo Series Cabinet Selection, another perfect sized smoke that boasts notes of earth, coffee and toasted nuts.
VITOLA: Salomon
RING GAUGE: 57
LENGTH: 7¼ Inches – 184 mm
ORIGIN: Cuba
A size rediscovered in the 1990’s, Salomones have become a signature shape for those who like large formats. The Cuaba version is your most reliable way to access this sought after size. Amazing construction shows superb craftsmanship. Once smoking you will be struck by the full-bodied taste of tobacco and grand earthy notes.
