History and Origin
Cohiba was born at the El Laguito atelier in the Havana neighborhood of Cubanacán, where since 1966 the marca has been rolled. The original blend committee, led by Eduardo Rivero Irizarri and Avelino Lara, developed the proprietary fermentation discipline that distinguishes Cohiba leaf from other Habanos production.
Until 1982, Cohiba was strictly diplomatic — gifts to heads of state, never sold commercially. The 1982 commercial release introduced the Línea Clásica (Lancero, Corona Especial, Panetela), and the marca has since expanded through the Línea 1492 (the Siglos series, launched in 1992 for the Columbus quincentenary), the Maduro 5 line (2007, the only Cohiba maduro), and the Behike line (2010, the medio-tiempo flagship).
The Product Hierarchy
Cohiba operates four product tiers, each priced and positioned distinctly:
Línea Clásica
The original 1982 commercial line: Lancero (38 × 7.5), Corona Especial (38 × 5.6), and Panetela (26 × 4.6). These remain the connoisseur's choice — small ring gauges that demand and reward attentive smoking. The Lancero in particular is the format study: difficult to roll, rewarding when correctly executed.
Línea 1492 (the Siglos)
Launched in 1992: Siglo I through Siglo VI, ranging from 40 × 4 to 52 × 5.9. The Siglo VI is the most-purchased Cohiba globally and the marca's present-day commercial flagship. The medium-bodied Cuban classical experience at premium pricing.
Maduro 5
The only Cohiba maduro line, launched 2007. Three vitolas (Magicos, Genios, Secretos), all with 5-year-aged maduro wrappers from San Juan y Martínez. Released in limited quantities; collectors pursue them.
Behike (BHK 52, 54, 56)
The 2010 launch that re-set the upper bound of Habanos pricing. Built around medio tiempo — a rare upper-leaf priming that develops on perhaps one tobacco plant in twenty. The flavor signature: medicinal cocoa, mineral length, leather-and-dried-fruit transformation. The BHK 52 is the most concentrated medio-tiempo expression.
The KCS Verdict
Cohiba scores at the top of the Outstanding band primarily through Flavor (its largest dimension at 35 points) and Balance, which the third fermentation supports unusually well. Construction is reliably high but not perfect — Cuban draw inconsistencies appear here, as elsewhere in the portfolio, in roughly one cigar in twenty. Evolution is the marca's second-greatest strength: well-aged Cohiba develops more transformation across the third than perhaps any other Habanos brand. Value is the lowest dimension on every Cohiba scorecard — the prestige premium is real and is reflected in the rubric.
Buying and Counterfeit Detection
Cohiba is the most counterfeited cigar in the world. The triple-cap test (three visible wrapper seams at the head) is the principal authentication test. Genuine Behike production also exhibits the medio-tiempo flavor signature within the first third — counterfeit Behikes substitute non-Cuban upper-priming ligero and never produce the medicinal note. Always purchase from authorized La Casa del Habano retailers or established merchants with documented Habanos S.A. supply chains.
