FCC | Cohiba - Robusto
The objective of Forum Cigar Club is to create a community where we can discuss, appreciate, explore and most importantly; enjoy the craftsmanship, quality and tradition of the world of cigars.
Happy birthday to me! This week was my 33rd birthday and what a start of the year it has been. As I said last month, this year is going going to be a big year for me and it definitely hit the ground running.
I’ve taken the opportunity and indulge a bit for my birthday celebration. After a full day of celebration with my wife we ended up in one of my favourite bars in London. If you have been a reader of FCC, you will know that my pursuit for experiences is guided by the principles of quality, tradition, and craftsmanship. “The American Bar” at the Stafford Hotel embodies and reinforces these values.”
Fun fact; in the late 1990’s the hotel transformed the Carriage House, originally built as stables to house the thoroughbreds of the nobility into luxury accommodation. The terrace of the bar is outside this wing and you can really see the stable like buildup. So if you are looking for a great place to smoke in London, you must try it.
Here is what I’m smoking this month! Cohiba Robusto Tubo 4 7/8” X 50 pareo, and to continue with the celebration theme we paired it with a French 75 cocktail followed by champagne. What doesn’t go well with champagne?
The history of the Cohiba brand is shrouded in myth and cigar smoke, and is tied to the Cuban revolution and Fidel Castro. It is said that it was initiated by Castro's driver and bodyguard, Perez Salazar, who offered Castro a cigar that he had received from Eduardo Rivera, a torcedor (roller) at the La Corona factory. Impressed by the cigar, Castro summoned Rivera to become his personal roller, and the Cohiba brand was born.
Pre-Light. I gota say the construction and wrapper were perfect! Very rich aroma on the body mainly leather, soil and wood -the cedar of the tube was very clear- of course together with that unmistakable cuban muskiness. Perfect draw with very spicy linger on the lips.
It has an excellent start and burn but very heavy sided on the earthy side of the flavour wheel. Nice heavy body and great smoke production. I know that I shouldn’t be surprised of such good notes from a Cohiba, but I’ve got to say that with the hit and miss experience that I’ve had with most other Cuban cigars I’ve smoked, I was very pleasingly surprised.
As the cigar develops, the notes got a bit more balanced with some black-pepper spice some dark fruit sweetness and a little creamy cacao notes. The bitterness was just on the spot, and a nice and short linger on the lips that leaves you craving for the next puff.
Around the mid point of the cigar the burn started to become uneven, but rather than touching it up immediately I put my patience to practice and little by little it settle itself. This made me think that I might be too impatient with my retouches and I will try to trust in my cigars more often.
Once the flavour profile settle up around the end of the 1st third, it was consistent throughout the whole smoke. I can understand the allure of having such consistency on a cigar, but now I have to have it a few more times to see if the consistency is there across sticks
In terms of pairings, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of saying that a bright dry champagne is one of the best paring for cigars. I find the acidity, bubbles and freshness work as a palate cleanser that invites you to get the next puff and keep enjoying the cigar.
Even though you’ll find it hard to find a more quintessential cigar than a Cohiba, I have to be honest and say that this was the first time enjoying one. As any top of their industry brand, there is always a question if it is worth it or if it is just bluff? I am not in any position to answer that question as it is subjective. All I will say is that I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar and will for sure try it again.
But now I want to hear from you, have you smoked a Cohiba before? Do cohibas live up to their name? Do you prefer cubans or new world cigars?
Let me know in the comments section below, but for now, I will say thank you so much for being here and I hope you have a great day.
