We don’t smoke or review Cuban cigars all that much, but I am trying to increase the number of reviews of Cuban cigars on my website hoping that it will help others who follow them. For our first Cuban review I chose to go with a Cohiba, as it seemed fitting. This cigar is the Medio Siglo from the Cohiba Linea 1492 series.
The Cuban Cohiba brand as it is known today began in 1963 as a private smoke made exclusively for Fidel Castro but earned its name in 1966. It was reserved for Castro, Government Officials and gifts for foreign ambassadors. In 1984, the Cubans made this cigar commercially available with three cigars: Laguito No. 1, Laguito No. 2 and Laguito No. 3. This cigar was released in 2016 as an extension to the Cohiba Linea 1942 line as a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the brand. Cohiba Linea 1942 is known for its other cigars such as Siglo I, Siglo II, Siglo III, Siglo IV, Siglo V and most famously, the Siglo VI. The name Medio Siglo translates to “half-century”.
Under the Lid
- Origin: Cuba
- Wrapper: Cuba
- Binder: Cuba
- Filler: Cuba
- Vitola: Petite Robusto (4 x 52)
- Factory: N/A
- Released Date: 2016
- MSRP: Aprox. $40 USD (Not Available in US)
The Cohiba Medio Siglo is a smaller and shorter smoke compared to most of the other cigars in the Cohiba line. I like to think of it as a smaller version of the popular Cohiba Robustos. These cigars came in the three pack decorative tubos. The wrapper looks better than most Cubans I have seen and smoked in recent years although I will disclosed, I purchased these particular cigars in 2019. The wrapper is veiny but not in a way that screams rough. Seems light, not too hard or dense and so I hope for a good draw from it.
First Third
After I cut and light this cigar, I take a cold draw and immediately get a sense of relief, smooth draw. The cold draw is warm and soft with notes of cocoa, sweet corn, honey and some floral notes on the end. One I light it; I immediately get a rush of black pepper notes with earthy dry undertones. The burn line begins a little uneven but eventually evens out. As I continue to burn into the first third, the pepper slows down in a much more muted way to give way to the dryer, earthier tones. The cigar is somewhere between mild plus and medium.
Second Third
By this point, the peppery notes are almost nonexistent. Smooth draw continues and burn line has evened out much more with the cigar continuing to burn well overall with plenty of smoke production throughout. It is about forty percent of the way in that light floral and leather notes take center stage. Add in some dry cedar and roasted cashews and you have yourself a solid mild-medium cigar. The ash held on almost to the end of the second third before breaking for the first time.
Final Third
By the end, most of the flavor notes remain the same but intensified. Some darker heavier notes begin to creep in giving it that hot bitterness you might expect. I might even say a little bit of chili pepper or something similar with that little bit of zing such as a good Chinese Szechuan sauce. It’s not too crazy, but it’s enjoyable. Combustion and smoke production remain perfect all the way through. The burn line is what I would consider good but certainly not perfect and in-fact, that might have been the worst thing about this cigar.
Smoking Experience
For a Cuban cigar, this was pretty well rounded all things considered. Cuban cigars can either be great or they can be less than enjoyable which is usually nine times out of ten due to the construction. It is the primary gripe with Cuban cigars – their inconsistency. Fortunately, these three cigars were almost perfect. For me it was very enjoyable, and there were not many things that held this cigar back. I wouldn’t call it perfect, but I think close to or very good are acceptable adjectives. At no point did I regret smoking this cigar and I hope that anyone who reads this and decides to spend the money on it agrees.
Smokin Facts
- These cigars came from La Casa del Habano in Europe
- Cigars were purchased by Smokin Tabacco
- Cuban cigars are still not available in the United States
Purchase recommendation: Buy the Three-Pack
Smokin Wrap
Cigars Smoked for the Review: Three
Average smoking time: Fourty-Five Minutes
