Cohiba Siglo VI

[micha]

Hey folks,

today was a beautiful late summer day in Berlin and as I don't know how many of those we will have left here before the fall kicks I decided to move outside and do a little review. Digging through my box of singles I decided to go for something special and grabbed a Siglo VI. Having loved the Siglo I, II and III I had so far I was expecting quite a bit from this cigar.

For accompanying drink I went for a Pu-Erh tea which was recommended by Gumball in the drinks section. A nice revelation for me and sure worth a try.

I don't know the box code, but if I remember correctly it was an '09.

Construction:

The construction of the Siglo was great, well filled, very fine and light brown colorado wrapper.

Aroma/cold:

Actually couldn't recognize a lot of aroma, mainly toasted tobacco.

Draw:

Draw is perfect, slightly restricted, just the way I like it. Taste of fresh cut grass and some saltiness on the lips aswell as some pepper spice. Also a delicate sweetness.

Opening:

A very smooth and fine opening and a nutty touch to it, like roasted peanuts and toasted tobacco.

1st third:

The nutty flavours carry on and I also recognize some light coffee notes, mainly after exhaling through the nose. Not very intense though. Also a slight honey sweetness in the aftertaste.

The burn is alright, but not perfect. Not the razor sharp burn I experienced in other Cohibas. One thing I notice is that it is lacking in complexity. Although I detect some flavours they are very subtle and I have a hard time nailing a distinct flavour profile. So far not my favourite Siglo.

Every now and then I taste some coffee but it doesn't stay long at all. Burn is starting to get a little uneven.

2nd third:

Just into the 2nd the ash drops of by itself and I have to correct the burn. The cigar is slightly building up in taste. The tender coffee is changing into more milkier coffee notes. I am glad that it is getting stronger, but by far not to the extent of other Siglos I had. I really enjoy the sweetness in the smoke, it's building up and stays long in the aftertaste. Almost like the taste you have lingering on your palate after having licked a spoonful of honey. The coffee is drawing back at this point.

The cigar is smoking very smoothly and it smells just beautiful, but still I am missing the complexity in taste.

I have to relight the cigar because it went out on me. I feel some dried fruit aspects coming through but also not very distinct. The burn is a bit more even now. The cigar seems to be pretty balanced, I don't get any harshness or bitterness at all.

3rd third:

I was so hoping on the cigar building up some more in the last third, but instead the burn is starting to get a little uneven again. The ash drops of a second time. The honey is still present and I feel some meatier spice coming up, again very, very subtle. It is still hard for me to pinpoint a flavour profile. Smooth and fine, but not rich and complex.

I'm still missing the complexity and starting to get the feeling that it won't develop towards the end.

It's getting a little darker and I taste some charcoal towards the end, but regarding the young age, totally acceptable. Still I don't feel like nubbing it.

Final judgment:

To me this was the least satisfying in the whole Siglo line I had so far. It was perfectly constructed, well balanced and smooth as hell but it just didn't deliver a great deal of flavours. I would have expected so much more from the flagship of the Siglo line and from a cigar of this vitola in general. It seems to me that the smaller ring gauge Siglos deliver much better on a distinct flavour profile that I would prefer them at any time. I am also keen on comparing the Siglo VI to a Magnum 50 which is still waiting for me in my humi.

Though it sure was a pleasant smoke I wouldn't buy a box of those and certainly wouldn't recommend it to others. In my eyes it just isn't worth the high price tag. Get a couple of Siglo Is or IIs for the same price and you will experience a far greater satisfaction imho.

For the aspect of aging I am in doubt too. It is an already pretty balanced cigar for its age and doesn't really need to develop that much more. What it is lacking is intense flavours and I don't think that it will develop those in the amount needed. The only thing that stayed with me throughout the whole time was the delicate sweetness which was also noticeable in the smell of the smoke (which almost smelled like pipe tobacco at times).

I'd give it an 86/87 and don't think that it would rise above 90 with age.

Cheers

Michael

[Colt45]

Thanks for the review. I've not smoked a ton of these, but the ones I have smoked I felt to be uninspiring.

The more I think about it, the more I find the Cohiba marque overall to be rather uninspiring.......

[craigos]

Had one on Friday to celebrate the end of week. Was an 07 - was easily a 93.

[popsiclepete]

I guess it may just personal but Sig VI's with some age are incredible. Easily my favourite cigar to smoke if they weren't just so damn expensive.

Maybe you just had a dud, give it another try if you have a chance.

[Martindelmundo]

IIt was perfectly constructed, well balanced and smooth as hell but it just didn't deliver a great deal of flavours. I would have expected so much more from the flagship of the Siglo line and from a cigar of this vitola in general.

I had one that i felt the same. but mine had a very bad draw as well

[micha]

I guess it may just personal but Sig VI's with some age are incredible. Easily my favourite cigar to smoke if they weren't just so damn expensive.

Maybe you just had a dud, give it another try if you have a chance.

Could well be, I will certainly give it another go. Maybe it really needs some age after all.

[Guest rob]

I've had plenty Sig 6's... and they have generaly been good to great. I've not had to many that were bland. Expense is a killer though.

[oakley]

Thanks for the review. I've not smoked a ton of these, but the ones I have smoked I felt to be uninspiring.

The more I think about it, the more I find the Cohiba marque overall to be rather uninspiring.......

I completely agree. Cohiba are way overrated in my opinion. I largely prefer Montecristo and some others brands such as H. de Monterrey.

I have one Siglo VI in my humidor and wait to smoke it in one special occasion, but I fear that will be deluded, too.

Andrew

[Ginseng]

Sorry to hear about your relatively unsatisfying experience. The Sig VI is one of my all time favorites and few large cigars can hold me rapt as this one can. Certainly not the structurally similar Trinidad Robustos Extra. It ain't a RASS, but as what it is, it's in a class of it's own.

Wilkey

[micha]

Sorry to hear about your relatively unsatisfying experience. The Sig VI is one of my all time favorites and few large cigars can hold me rapt as this one can. Certainly not the structurally similar Trinidad Robustos Extra. It ain't a RASS, but as what it is, it's in a class of it's own.

Wilkey

That's actually the thing I liked about all the other Siglos I had, they were distinctivly different from cigars of other brands and in that way really in a class of their own. I even found such remarkable differences in between the different vitolas of the line, completely independent flavour profiles. I will most certainly revisit the Siglo VIs and hope to find a stellar one. If I do, I'll let you guys know.

[Mr. Japan]

Regrettably you are not satisfied with a Cohiba Siglo VI.

IMHO this is even better than Esplendido now days. I have to say more, I smoked several 2005 S.VI and they where same or better than today Reserva.

Maybe you where unlucky or maybe it just does not fit your taste.

[laficion]

I truly enjoyed your detailed review and the great photos, Bravo Michael

I'm really sad that this Siglo VI was only good looks but not as tasty as a VI should be.

I'm not and have never been, a big Cohiba fan but I've had some great VI's and even greater IV's.

It's just that I hate spending my time with a brand that plays "Hit or Miss", to an absolute perfection.

Again, great review, thanks for sharing

[shrink]

This thread inspired me to pull out one of my late '04 Siglo VI's. A very nice cigar, to be sure, but the 2003 Punch RS No. 11 that I smoked earlier was more satisfying.

[aavkk]

Thanks for the review and great pics! I am afraid that if complexity is what you are looking for than patience is the only solution. Lots and lots of patience especially with the Siglo VI. They can be excellent fresh but very different than the same cigar with 6 or more years of age.

[TrickNick]

Thanks for the review and great pics! I am afraid that if complexity is what you are looking for than patience is the only solution. Lots and lots of patience especially with the Siglo VI. They can be excellent fresh but very different than the same cigar with 6 or more years of age.

I have to agree 100%. I used to find the Cohiba line uninspiring as a new smoker. Now it is easily my favorite marca. Cohiba's age better than most any other marca IMHO. They get really sick...and can stay sick for a very long time, but when the come out of it they are a completely new experience.

[micha]

Thanks for the review and great pics! I am afraid that if complexity is what you are looking for than patience is the only solution. Lots and lots of patience especially with the Siglo VI. They can be excellent fresh but very different than the same cigar with 6 or more years of age.

I have to agree 100%. I used to find the Cohiba line uninspiring as a new smoker. Now it is easily my favorite marca. Cohiba's age better than most any other marca IMHO. They get really sick...and can stay sick for a very long time, but when the come out of it they are a completely new experience.

Thanks guys, it's great to read your thoughts about this cigar. I'm really keen to compare it to an aged one now. I'll keep my eyes open for one that has a few years on it. I wouldn't have believed that it could change so much with age but I'm starting to get the impression that it really does. Thank you all for those helpful comments.

[frenchkiwi]

They get really sick...and can stay sick for a very long time, but when the come out of it they are a completely new experience.

yes i have found that - young cohibas completely dull.

anyone know if this is due to the third fermentation they get or ...?

[cellinisart]

Regrettably you are not satisfied with a Cohiba Siglo VI.

IMHO this is even better than Esplendido now days. I have to say more, I smoked several 2005 S.VI and they where same or better than today Reserva.

Maybe you where unlucky or maybe it just does not fit your taste.

No the 08-09-and10's are just mostly bad. They are a line that is as off as the punch punch...actually unless you are spending big money on just PSP stuff and resting them for a year or two I think the PP is doing better than these right now.

Cohiba is going down IMHO trinidad will take over as the big boy cubans and I bet they will start adding more sizes as well.

[hddeucebrad01]

Had my first VI about a month ago and agree that I was disappointed. Don't remember the exact box code but it was from 08. Guess I will try and let the rest of the cab sit for awhile and see if that helps. I also love those Trinidads.

[Ken Gargett]

I've had plenty Sig 6's... and they have generaly been good to great. I've not had to many that were bland. Expense is a killer though.

my thoughts exactly.

[Ken Gargett]

it should be added that the 03's were a thing of exquisite beauty.

[cellinisart]

it should be added that the 03's were a thing of exquisite beauty.

I agree Ken but buy a current box and you're just making a bad $450 bet IMO.

[Gumball]

Cool you liked the Pu Erh Micha !

It is a nice complement to cigar but it may overwhelm a fine smoke like the Siglo VI. Especially a Pu Erh "Shu" (cooked) like you drinked.

[adic88]

Thanks for the review and great pics! I am afraid that if complexity is what you are looking for than patience is the only solution. Lots and lots of patience especially with the Siglo VI. They can be excellent fresh but very different than the same cigar with 6 or more years of age.

That's one of the problems with a cigar like the S VI. I've not a had a bad S VI before, but neither have they all been blockbusters, and i think many of us are expecting them to be given the price range they represent.

I refer you to something i read from this month's CA, from Jose Padron. It goes something like this:

"When you spend a lot of money, you want a cigar that is ready to go now and has the potential to become even better later. What's the point of buying a Ferrari and being told that you have to keep it in the garage for 2 years before you can drive it."

Obviously he was referring to Padron's range of premium cigars, and i agree with him. Each PAM64 or PAM26 is a magnificent cigar, right out of the box.

When i pay big money for cigar, i expect big results whenever i choose to smoke it, be that now, or later.

[habanohal]

I have had many bland ones. On my list, these are one of the biggest POS cigars that came out. Now I have a few boxes from GKI 04 and those are the only exception. Smoked about 75 or so of them , hopeing too find some good ones, but all i got was junk.