Popular Post CigSid Posted August 6, 2015 Popular Post Posted August 6, 2015 It’s a beautiful summer night in Southern California, and I am sitting on the balcony off my bedroom… This is my 2nd example from a UPE MAY 12 box I purchased 3 years ago, and it was stored at 68 percent RH. I dry boxed it for 1 week at 62 percent RH. The Cohiba Piramides Extra is a relatively large cigar. It comes in at a whopping 54 ring gauge and is 6.3 inches long. This is beautiful... It is very smooth to the touch, firm, well rolled. Obviously an immense amount of skill went into creating this masterpiece. As most of you know, while tobacco for other Cuban cigars only undergoes two fermentations, the leaves for Cohiba go through a third fermentation. All the key types of tobacco-- the ligero, seco and volado--are fermented a third time. The leaves are stacked and fermented in small wooden barrels in dark closets. The fermentation may take as long as 18 months depending on the tobacco. This costly process reduces the tar and nicotine, and gives Cohiba cigars their finesse and refinement… Initial smell: leather, earth and rich tobacco Cold draw: sweet hay, citrus and a little spice Time to fire this baby up... First 3rd: As I light it up, I immediately get a grassy leathery cream, and a bit of citrus twang. The strength is a bit below medium. Retro hale, mostly leather, some coffee and hay. Strong dense ash, that is white as snow. Near the end of the first 3rd, I start getting the grassy taste that Cohiba is so famous for, except this was a creamy sugary grass that was very pleasant. I also taste some rich coffee notes that come and go. Second 3rd Citrus is back and dominates the palate, followed by a bit of honey and creamy leather. Strength is medium, and the burn is perfect. Usually I am multitasking while enjoying a cigar, planning the next day, answering emails, etc... but tonight, this Piramides has grabbed my attention and has not let go... At the half way point now and I get a blast of creamy leather and bitter chocolate that coats the entire mouth, the retro is a bit of white pepper and orange peel, very nice indeed... I just realized how much I ate for dinner tonight, so I reach down and undo the top button of my pants and immediately feel a release of pressure... Ahhh, now I'm really relaxed... Pairing this tonight with some fresh watermelon juice, which is really refreshing and also working very well as a palate cleanser... Nearing the end of the second 3rd, and I'm noticing a nice lemon peel flavor combined with the ever present leather cream. Final 3rd Leather, chocolate, coffee, grass and a citrus twang take turns dominating with each puff, this is more enjoyable than I anticipated… the first one from this same box about 2 years ago was a bit bland and 1 dimensional, this one is much better. Rich toasted tobacco, coffee and leather dominate the long finish, with a slight bit of pepper on top. The strength is medium full at this point. It's amazing how long the finish is... the last five puffs continuously melding together... Cool creamy leather now dominates, with earth and coffee in the background. The familiar buzzing of my phone breaks the hypnotic state I’m in just for a second, and then I think to myself, there is no way I am interrupting this amazing experience, as I draw a large amount of smoke and let it effortlessly spill out of my mouth and let the last bit flow through my nostrils ... The leather has changed, it is now deeper and richer and sweeter than before. The retro hale is now a smooth nutty peppery bliss. A slightly bitter walnut comes and goes just as quickly, then more pepper, some coffee, and creamy earth as I am approaching the end... The leather and pepper combine beautifully in the thick long finish. Nubbed: Final notes: Total burn time 1 hour and 43 minutes. Much more complex than I had anticipated, which really captured my attention. Even though the ring gauge is larger than I usually prefer, the tapered end made it feel very comfortable. I scored this an easy 97, and really don't believe it can get much better than this, but I will revisit in another 6 months just to see... Needless to say, I did burn my lips trying to get one more puff... But it was definitely worth it... 6 1
jimsta10 Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 excellent review...thank god I purchased two boxes from the 24:24
JohnS Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 excellent review...thank god I purchased two boxes from the 24:24 Same here...thanks for a great review. One of my favourite cigars I've smoked this year so far! 1
CigSid Posted August 6, 2015 Author Posted August 6, 2015 Thank you gentlemen! Hopefully they will be just as good or better in 6 months... Don't wait too long on these though, they seem perfect at this point...
Lant63 Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 Nice job, great review! Looks like I need a box Sent by telepathic super powers -Stogie Boy
jimsta10 Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 I wonder whether dry boxing is necessary if you're wineador is set at 66%....?
CigSid Posted August 6, 2015 Author Posted August 6, 2015 I wonder whether dry boxing is necessary if you're wineador is set at 66%....? I believe so. After much research and testing myself, it is my opinion that CC's taste and burn much better between 60 to 63 percent RH. I have found that 60 is a bit too dry for me, but a lot of aficionados swear by it... The best is to try it yourself and see if you like it... 1
jimsta10 Posted August 7, 2015 Posted August 7, 2015 I believe so. After much research and testing myself, it is my opinion that CC's taste and burn much better between 60 to 63 percent RH. I have found that 60 is a bit too dry for me, but a lot of aficionados swear by it... The best is to try it yourself and see if you like it... thanks mate..will do.
archosaur Posted August 7, 2015 Posted August 7, 2015 Great review! Hadn't heard too many good things about this cigar until now, good to know these can shine.
jimsta10 Posted August 7, 2015 Posted August 7, 2015 It’s a beautiful summer night in Southern California, and I am sitting on the balcony off my bedroom… This is my 2nd example from a UPE MAY 12 box I purchased 3 years ago, and it was stored at 68 percent RH. I dry boxed it for 1 week at 62 percent RH. The Cohiba Piramides Extra is a relatively large cigar. It comes in at a whopping 54 ring gauge and is 6.3 inches long. This is beautiful... It is very smooth to the touch, firm, well rolled. Obviously an immense amount of skill went into creating this masterpiece. As most of you know, while tobacco for other Cuban cigars only undergoes two fermentations, the leaves for Cohiba go through a third fermentation. All the key types of tobacco-- the ligero, seco and volado--are fermented a third time. The leaves are stacked and fermented in small wooden barrels in dark closets. The fermentation may take as long as 18 months depending on the tobacco. This costly process reduces the tar and nicotine, and gives Cohiba cigars their finesse and refinement… Initial smell: leather, earth and rich tobacco Cold draw: sweet hay, citrus and a little spice Time to fire this baby up... First 3rd: As I light it up, I immediately get a grassy leathery cream, and a bit of citrus twang. The strength is a bit below medium. Retro hale, mostly leather, some coffee and hay. Strong dense ash, that is white as snow. Near the end of the first 3rd, I start getting the grassy taste that Cohiba is so famous for, except this was a creamy sugary grass that was very pleasant. I also taste some rich coffee notes that come and go. Second 3rd Citrus is back and dominates the palate, followed by a bit of honey and creamy leather. Strength is medium, and the burn is perfect. Usually I am multitasking while enjoying a cigar, planning the next day, answering emails, etc... but tonight, this Piramides has grabbed my attention and has not let go... At the half way point now and I get a blast of creamy leather and bitter chocolate that coats the entire mouth, the retro is a bit of white pepper and orange peel, very nice indeed... I just realized how much I ate for dinner tonight, so I reach down and undo the top button of my pants and immediately feel a release of pressure... Ahhh, now I'm really relaxed... Pairing this tonight with some fresh watermelon juice, which is really refreshing and also working very well as a palate cleanser... Nearing the end of the second 3rd, and I'm noticing a nice lemon peel flavor combined with the ever present leather cream. Final 3rd Leather, chocolate, coffee, grass and a citrus twang take turns dominating with each puff, this is more enjoyable than I anticipated… the first one from this same box about 2 years ago was a bit bland and 1 dimensional, this one is much better. Rich toasted tobacco, coffee and leather dominate the long finish, with a slight bit of pepper on top. The strength is medium full at this point. It's amazing how long the finish is... the last five puffs continuously melding together... Cool creamy leather now dominates, with earth and coffee in the background. The familiar buzzing of my phone breaks the hypnotic state I’m in just for a second, and then I think to myself, there is no way I am interrupting this amazing experience, as I draw a large amount of smoke and let it effortlessly spill out of my mouth and let the last bit flow through my nostrils ... The leather has changed, it is now deeper and richer and sweeter than before. The retro hale is now a smooth nutty peppery bliss. A slightly bitter walnut comes and goes just as quickly, then more pepper, some coffee, and creamy earth as I am approaching the end... The leather and pepper combine beautifully in the thick long finish. Nubbed: Final notes: Total burn time 1 hour and 43 minutes. Much more complex than I had anticipated, which really captured my attention. Even though the ring gauge is larger than I usually prefer, the tapered end made it feel very comfortable. I scored this an easy 97, and really don't believe it can get much better than this, but I will revisit in another 6 months just to see... Needless to say, I did burn my lips trying to get one more puff... But it was definitely worth it... Just curious, have you tried the 1966? if so, would you say that this would taste similar? (this is what I have read)... happy to hear from others who have tried. cheers
JohnS Posted August 7, 2015 Posted August 7, 2015 Yes, I would concur that the 1966 LE I had did taste similar to the Cohiba Piramides Extra cigars I've had this year, only it was more milder and the differences in flavours were even more subtle, in my opinion. 1
CigSid Posted August 7, 2015 Author Posted August 7, 2015 Yes, I would agree with John, and add that the Piramides was a bit better most likely because of the addition of the Medio Tiempo, (only cigar afficianado says that these do not have medio tiempo, while everyone else says it does, believe what you will) also found in the behikes... This really pronounces the sweetness and give it depth... 1
jimsta10 Posted August 7, 2015 Posted August 7, 2015 Yes, I would concur that the 1966 LE I had did taste similar to the Cohiba Piramides Extra cigars I've had this year, only it was more milder and the differences in flavours eas even more subtle, in my opinion. Hi John, are you saying that the Piramides Extra is a bit milder? Interesting indeed....might have to stock up on the Piramides Extras.. thanks John and CigSig
JohnS Posted August 7, 2015 Posted August 7, 2015 Hi John, are you saying that the Piramides Extra is a bit milder? Interesting indeed....might have to stock up on the Piramides Extras.. thanks John and CigSig The 1966 LE was milder, but only because that was already aged 3 years prior to my smoking, so it was in it's prime. The Piramides Extra cigars came from a ULA Dic 13 box so they weren't as aged prior to smoking. The 1966LE is definitely a better cigar, but the Piramides Extra still has the classic Cohiba hay/grass and honey/cream profile that I adore and when it's present, you certainly know it! 1
CigSid Posted August 7, 2015 Author Posted August 7, 2015 The 1966 LE was milder, but only because that was already aged 3 years prior to my smoking, so it was in it's prime. The Piramides Extra cigars came from a ULA Dic 13 box so they weren't as aged prior to smoking. The 1966LE is definitely a better cigar, but the Piramides Extra still has the classic Cohiba hay/grass and honey/cream profile that I adore and when it's present, you certainly know it! I was fortunate to get an early release box of Piramides, which make a big difference in the comparison with the 1966 LE. John, try the Piramides in another 6 or 7 months, and I believe you will notice a change for the better... 1
JohnS Posted August 7, 2015 Posted August 7, 2015 Definitely. I'm planning to sample my next cigar at the end of the year from the box I have. 2
earthson Posted August 8, 2015 Posted August 8, 2015 I just realized how much I ate for dinner tonight, so I reach down and undo the top button of my pants and immediately feel a release of pressure... Ahhh, now I'm really relaxed... Pairing this tonight with some fresh watermelon juice Winner, winner: chicken dinner! Best cigar-related post I've read all night! 1
ceegarone Posted August 8, 2015 Posted August 8, 2015 Great review, pics and knowledge share. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
CigSid Posted August 8, 2015 Author Posted August 8, 2015 Winner, winner: chicken dinner! Best cigar-related post I've read all night! Now that was funny! Thank you!! 1
earthson Posted August 8, 2015 Posted August 8, 2015 Now that was funny! Thank you!! You're actually making me thirsty for some watermelon margaritas. If I end up inebriated tonight, it is your fault.
CigSid Posted August 9, 2015 Author Posted August 9, 2015 You're actually making me thirsty for some watermelon margaritas. If I end up inebriated tonight, it is your fault. That sounds really good! Now, would I get the credit or the blame, that's the question...
agentdaffy007 Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 Sorry for the revival of this thread but i just wanted to say what a wonderful review. I read so many bad reviews of the Cohiba Piramides Extra. It made me scared of smoking even 1 cigar. My box is from UPE OCT 12 so it has been aging for over 3 years now. Hopefully, i will have the same experience as CigSid. CigSid, when will your next review be on this vitola?
Fugu Posted March 3, 2016 Posted March 3, 2016 Sorry for the revival of this thread but i just wanted to say what a wonderful review. I read so many bad reviews of the Cohiba Piramides Extra. It made me scared of smoking even 1 cigar. My box is from UPE OCT 12 so it has been aging for over 3 years now. Hopefully, i will have the same experience as CigSid. CigSid, when will your next review be on this vitola? I guess forums live on the occasional thread revival, in particular if it's such a nice review like this one! And, mate, never let yourself be caught by the opinion of others! Let us know about your experience with your ORs! Enjoy!
earthson Posted March 4, 2016 Posted March 4, 2016 One of these days, I'll have to try one of these bohemoths. I'll either wait for the Medio Tiempo to be back in HSA's larder, or else go find some with some age.
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