Cohiba Siglo I

[micha]

Here goes my first newbie review, hope it reads ok, 'cause I don't write in english that often (which will change with joining the forum). 

Last saturday I sat in a cosy wine shop and enjoyed some italian antipasti. Luckily the shop had a nice little humidor and i came across a 3 count box of Siglo Is which I couldn't resist. they came in single tubes and unfortunately the pack didn't reveal anything about the date on those sticks (I would be happy if anyone could tell me where to find that on those boxes).

Anyway I had the first one later on (accompanied by a cuba libre which I think paired quite well). I neither had pen and paper to take any notes nor had I a camera to take any pictures (I promise to write a proper review soon). So the following is only by recollection...

Construction and wrapper: 

Looked very good, no veins, very dark color (I can hardly see a difference to my Secretos) and felt fairly firm. The size is, even for a short cigar, almost a joke and really a bit too short in my eyes.

Aroma at cold and draw:

Sweet, chocolaty, a bit grassy. I didn't have a cutter and had it punched in the shop. The draw was very firm and restricted, probably due to the punching. I had to pull real hard to get a fair amount of smoke out of it. 

Opening:

Very nice and creamy smoke with a lot of chocolate and milk coffee in the beginning.

1st third:

The chocolate and coffee stayed with me almost through the whole first third. It had a nice sweetness to it.

2nd third:

The chocolate faded away a little and I experienced a short moment of what I would call grassy freshness along with the coffee, but it really was just a short moment before it left and the coffee kicked back in. Then, at the end of the second third a new flavour came to present which I really enjoyed: In Germany we have a pastry called "Rumkugel" which is produced from bakery leftovers (tastes a lot nicer than it sounds), mixed with chocolate and rum. I guess it's translation would be "rum truffle". Anyway that's what I got from the end of the second third and man, I loved it.

3rd third:

In the last third the aroma of rum truffle died away and I got some leathery, wooden aspects. I liked those too but really was a bit sad that I had lost the aroma from before. The end of the cigar became a bit grubby and undefined for my taste. I assume that it is after all a young cigar and that this grubbiness might be gone with some age.

Final judgement:

I was really surprised by the amount and variety of flavours I could get out of this little stick and really hope that I will come across a few more of this quality. I quite liked the Secretos before, but if the Siglos are consistent in that quality I think the small Maduro won't stand a chance (regarding variety in aroma and compexity). I certainly will knock of a few points for it's size, because I think it really is too short (although I got a solid 35-40 minutes out of it). I would love to compare it to a Siglo II, which I think has a far better size. I also had to fight a little with the restricted draw, but I really blame the punch for that. I bet it will be far better when properly cut. 

For those who love a short and enjoyable smoke I would highly recommend trying a couple of those out. My all in all number: A solid 90 with potential for more.

Cheers

Michael     

[thechenman]

Michael...great review. As Bster pointed out you command of English is actually quite good. As far as the box code for 3 packs, you would find that on the carton the three packs come in, not on the actual three pack itself. The carton usually holds, I believe 5 3 packs.

[mbrody]

Thanks for the review! Love the Sig I. When they are on, they are ON!

[CanuckSARTech]

Micha, great review. And, I vacationed in Germany a number of years ago, and had a chance to meet a lot of interesting people there, and learn about your school system and the language programs (multiple language courses required, etc.). Don't sell yourself short. And/or, if you're having a hard day, just use the Google Translate feature to the right of the screen.

And yes, it's exactly like thechenman said. When I go into a retail store, and I buy a 3-pack of cigars from a box of 15, I kindly ask the clerk for a Sharpie / permanent marker, so that I can write down the date/box code on my individual 3-pack for my own future reference. Usually, most have no problem with obliging you with this request - but usually after you pay for your 3-pack first! LOL.

Hopefully these pictures help...

[micha]

Michael, I don't know what you're worried about, you've got a better command of english than a lot of people who speak/write in english as their main language!

Mate, for a "newbie" review that was excellent. Great breakdown of flavours - very much like the Siglo 1's I've smoked from my 08 box. Please post more reviews when you can, you've got a real "knack" for it!

Thanks a lot guys, really appreciate your comments. A couple of boxes are on their way from Australia, I will certainly do some proper reviews on those babies.

Micha, great review. And, I vacationed in Germany a number of years ago, and had a chance to meet a lot of interesting people there, and learn about your school system and the language programs (multiple language courses required, etc.). Don't sell yourself short. And/or, if you're having a hard day, just use the Google Translate feature to the right of the screen.

And yes, it's exactly like thechenman said. When I go into a retail store, and I buy a 3-pack of cigars from a box of 15, I kindly ask the clerk for a Sharpie / permanent marker, so that I can write down the date/box code on my individual 3-pack for my own future reference. Usually, most have no problem with obliging you with this request - but usually after you pay for your 3-pack first! LOL.

Hopefully these pictures help...

That explains, they had just two smaller 3-packs left and they were lying losely in the humidor. Thanks for the picks.

A friend of mine moved to Vancouver a couple of month ago and has sent some beautiful pictures. I think she absolutely loves it there (and that tells a lot when coming from Berlin, which is quite a nice city, too). Canada surely is on my top5-list of places to visit.

[godfathermint]

Your review is amazing! I think I'm going to go buy me a Siglo I now =D

[bassman]

Excellent review. I recently had one from FEB 08. It had those chocolate flavors you mentioned, but also incredible strength. Very impressive cigar. Glad I have a couple boxes of these little firecrackers.

[MontrealRon]

Many thanks for this excellent review, in such beautiful English!

It's great to have you with us, and I have no doubt that you will enjoy your time here.

[micha]

Excellent review. I recently had one from FEB 08. It had those chocolate flavors you mentioned, but also incredible strength. Very impressive cigar. Glad I have a couple boxes of these little firecrackers.

Sadly I'm on my last one right now, but really glad that my draw issues came from the punch. Now that it is properly cut I've got a perfect draw. I'm thinking about getting a box but first I will give the Siglo IIs a try.

Many thanks for this excellent review, in such beautiful English!

It's great to have you with us, and I have no doubt that you will enjoy your time here.

Great to be here. I have never experienced so many fine people in any forum before. It is an absolute pleasure and helping me so much.

[thechenman]

Sadly I'm on my last one right now, but really glad that my draw issues came from the punch. Now that it is properly cut I've got a perfect draw. I'm thinking about getting a box but first I will give the Siglo IIs a try.

Great to be here. I have never experienced so many fine people in any forum before. It is an absolute pleasure and helping me so much.

I think you'll like the Sig IIs more than the Sig Is...IMHO...

[investandprosper]

I think you'll like the Sig IIs more than the Sig Is...IMHO...

The Sig IIs are my favorite PC when they are on. I have most of a box sitting in the vino, getting all nice and aromatic before I put another to the fire. Don't smoke them if the aroma isn't there, you'll be disappointed.

[terrasco]

Excellent review. This is one of my go to cigars.

[micha]

I think you'll like the Sig IIs more than the Sig Is...IMHO...

Just tasted a Siglo II. I enjoyed it very much. Very different flavour profile though, a lot "meatier" in my opinion. Didn't get that sweet chocolate and not that much coffee. A lot of earthiness, leather and sautéed mushrooms. Beautiful creaminess in the smoke. I loved it and think that it has great ageing potential. If an HQ box pops up in the recommendations, I think I'll go for it.

[thechenman]

Just tasted a Siglo II. I enjoyed it very much. Very different flavour profile though, a lot "meatier" in my opinion. Didn't get that sweet chocolate and not that much coffee. A lot of earthiness, leather and sautéed mushrooms. Beautiful creaminess in the smoke. I loved it and think that it has great ageing potential. If an HQ box pops up in the recommendations, I think I'll go for it.

Micha...Definitely try the Siglo IVs if you haven't already. Simply the best of the Siglo line IMHO. I know most people go for the Siglo VI, whcih don't get me wrong is a great cigar, but the IV is my favorite of this line.

[micha]

Micha...Definitely try the Siglo IVs if you haven't already. Simply the best of the Siglo line IMHO. I know most people go for the Siglo VI, whcih don't get me wrong is a great cigar, but the IV is my favorite of this line.

Alright, just put it right on top of my upcoming-smokes-to-try list. I already have a Siglo III and VI waiting in my humidor, so I'll be through most of the line by the end of the month (apart from the V). Btw, wouldn't "Which is your favourite Siglo?" be an interesting topic for a poll?

Anyway, thanks for the hint. I'm curious about it.

[hakamo0o]

Man.. you made crave for it now!!

I have just got a siglo I, it is sleeping in my humidor. After a week; I'll fire it up and tell you what I find

greetings from Egypt

[Zombie1a]

I have managed to get a box of these dated 2006 and I just had to light one up straight out of the box. I first got a hint of aniseed on the first draw then I was getting a cream, chocolate and biscuit flavors with a hint of almonds. These sticks have the most wonderful chocolate toasted tobacco running throughout the smoke. The only downside was the draw was a bit tight where you had to take a double puff to get enough smoke and it burned a little hot. Good times though.

[tsolomon]

This is one of my go to cigars and I wouldn't give it points off for being too short. I think it's the perfect short smoke and the small RG really concentrates the flavor. Thanks for a very nice review micha.

[micha]

Man.. you made crave for it now!!

I have just got a siglo I, it is sleeping in my humidor. After a week; I'll fire it up and tell you what I find

greetings from Egypt

Enjoy it, I'm looking forward to your take!

I have managed to get a box of these dated 2006 and I just had to light one up straight out of the box. I first got a hint of aniseed on the first draw then I was getting a cream, chocolate and biscuit flavors with a hint of almonds. These sticks have the most wonderful chocolate toasted tobacco running throughout the smoke. The only downside was the draw was a bit tight where you had to take a double puff to get enough smoke and it burned a little hot. Good times though.

I didn't get that aniseed but I totally agree on the almond notes. I definitely had those too, almost like marchpane. I totally forgot to write that down. Thanks for reminding me.

This is one of my go to cigars and I wouldn't give it points off for being too short. I think it's the perfect short smoke and the small RG really concentrates the flavor. Thanks for a very nice review micha.

You're right about that, i just wished it had a bit more length to it, but then it would be a Sig II (which I find has a completely different flavour profile). I would love to have that flavour in a PC. Apart from that I totally agree with you, it is the perfect short smoke and knocking off points for that is a bit harsh. Next time I'll add 2.

[Laxman]

Great review. I have box sitting in my humi and its been about 90 days. After reading your post I am definitely breaking one out tonight.

[Ellery]

Thanks for the review