Aged Cohiba Maduro 5 Cigars Review

[JohnS]

The Cohiba Maduro 5 Line was introduced in 2007. It consists of three sizes each wrapped in dark maduro leaves specially aged for five years. The purpose of this review is to provide a reference for our members as to what to expect flavourwise from these cigars and to categorise where the Maduro 5 line fits within the Cohiba marca overall.

In terms of categorisation, the Cohiba marcas can be grouped into four different lines. The initial Línea Clásica consisted of six cigars (Panetela, Corona Especial, Lancero, Robusto, the Exquisito and the Espléndido). In 2012, the Cohiba Piramides Extra was added to this line. These are medium to full-bodied in flavour. The next line, the Línea 1492, consisting of five cigars, the Siglo I, II, III, IV and V was launched in 1992 to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of Columbus' arrival in Cuba before one further size, the iconic Siglo VI, was added in 2002. These are medium-bodied in flavour. (Interestingly, the Línea 1492 came out in 1992 to replace the discontinued Davidoff Cuban cigar brand) As mentioned, the Línea Maduro 5 consists of three sizes (Secretos, Magicos and Genios) each with dark maduro wrappers aged for five years. Like the Línea Clásica, these are medium to full-bodied in flavour. Finally, the Línea Behike, whose three sizes made their debut in 2010, was added as the most exclusive line of all. In its filler blend it uses the rare medio tiempo leaf, which is found only amongst some of the top two leaves of sun-grown tobacco plants and brings an exceptional richness to the taste of the Habanos. Behike cigars are full-bodied in flavour.

According to Habanos S.A., the leaves for Cohiba are the selection of the selection from the 5 finest Vegas de Primera in San Juan y Martínez and San Luis districts of the Vuelta Abajo zone.

Uniquely amongst Habanos up to three of Cohiba's filler leaves, the seco, ligero and the rare medio tiempo, undergo an additional fermentation in barrels. This unique process produces a special aroma and flavour you will only find in Cohiba.

The Cohiba Maduro 5 line is unlike the other line of Cohiba cigars. This line courts divided responses from enthusiasts, usually along the lines of complete acceptance or rejection. The reason for this varies, from construction issues, wrapper issues (and difficulties with even burning) to the taste, which is unlike the other Cohiba lines.

The seeds of this topic was born out of a recent discussion I had with Trevor Leask, the founder of Cuban Cigar Website and FoH moderator. We recalled an old topic whereby Rob had switched wrappers on two Cohiba cigars and noted the difference in flavours. We noted the effect that the dark maduro wrapper had on the flavour of a cigar and questioned whether aging made a difference. Trevor generously provided me with a Secretos, a Magicos and a Genios cigar from 2007/8 for the purpose of reviewing them and providing feedback, which I was honoured to do for the benefit of our members.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Secretos

The Cohiba Secretos is medium ring-gauged cigar, its dimensions are 40 by 110 mm in length, a Reyes cigar.

After I punched the cap, the cold draw contained a chocolate and espresso aroma and was neither loose nor tight. The first third did start off with a pleasant cocoa and espresso flavour, and was mild to medium in intensity.

The middle third maintained the same intensity in its body, but now I picked up some wonderful spice through the nose via retrohaling every third or fourth draw on the cigar. I also picked up some hints of leather.

The final third picked up in spice, but was cool throughout. I had to correct the burn at the beginning of the final third, but not re-light. Overall, I made sure to really savour the nuances of this cigar by smoking it slowly, which I did at 65 minutes. I very much enjoyed smoking this aged Secretos.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Magicos

The Cohiba Magicos is thick ring-gauged cigar, its dimensions are 52 by 115 mm in length, a Magicos (vitola) cigar.

I used a v-cut on the cap. The cold draw was again chocolate or cocoa and was neither loose nor tight. The intensity was mild to medium.

As the cigar progressed, I picked up chocolate and leather flavours. Unlike the Secretos, espresso flavours were muted by comparison.

By the middle third, the intensity of the cigar picked up to medium-bodied in strength. In comparison to the Secretos, the spice and espresso characteristics were definitely not as distinctive.

Again, I had to correct the burn during the final third, but I did this once. I also had to re-light once, but I savoured this cigar by smoking slowly, which I did for 100 minutes.

[JohnS]

Cohiba Genios

The Cohiba Genios is thick ring-gauged cigar, its dimensions are 52 by 140 mm in length, an Estupendos cigar.

Again, I used a v-cut on the cap for this thicker ring-gauged cigar. This time the cold draw had chocolate and espresso aroma, like the Secretos, but the draw was tighter than the previous two Maduro 5 cigars. The intensity was medium from the outset.

Despite the fact that the draw was not as loose as I would have liked, I still got good volume of smoke and flavour. The chocolate notes were there, but the espresso flavour was stronger and there was more evidence of spice throughout, especially through the nose, which I quite enjoyed.

I had to re-light this cigar two or three times, and draw more often than I would have liked. The middle third continued to be medium in body, with espresso flavours predominant.The spice was still there through the nose.

Again, I had to even up the burn at the beginning of the final third. I believe that due to the tighter draw of this cigar, the final third became medium to full in intensity, with flavours less distinctive. I also had to draw more often on this cigar than what I would have liked to get decent volumes of smoke per puff. The cigar lasted 105 minutes and I had to re-light twice. Despite this, I didn't mind smoking this Genios.

[JohnS]

CONCLUSION

It goes without saying that I'd like to thank Trevor(2118) for making this review possible. It is my hope that you can use this as a reference to guide you. Ultimately though, the thoughts I convey here are just my opinion, I would encourage you to make up your own mind on the Maduro 5 line.

I would like to offer my view that the Maduro 5 line is polarising because it is so unlike the other Cohiba marcas. Don't expect the grass/hay, honey, cream and vanilla flavour profile that you'd get from the Cohiba Siglo or Classic series. The Maduro 5, with its maduro wrappers aged 5 years, is sweeter through its chocolate and cocoa flavours and stronger due its espresso and spice profiles. It has been compared, in relation to this flavour profile, to maduro Non-Cuban cigars and I would agree with this view. However, I would not go so far as to disparage the line overall for this flavour profile, as in my opinion, it makes a nice change in comparison to your typical mild Cuban cigar.

As to my preference of these three vitolas, I would say that I enjoyed the Secretos the most, followed by the Genios and the Magicos only slightly behind. Again, there are varied opinions in relation to which of the Maduro 5 line of cigars is the best, and for this I would encourage you to try them for yourself. At the very least, I would recommend resting for 3 to 5 years, as I envisage that in this time the oils in the wrapper settle nicely into the cigar, and I would imagine it would be better balanced as a result.

The Maduro 5 line comes in 10 count and 25 count boxes. I was not surprised in the slightest when an aged offering of 10 count Secretos boxes from 2008 was sold out in minutes on a recent 24:24 listing on our forum.

When these are 'on', it's noticable that they are a quality smoke, as these videos testify below...

[Ken Gargett]

john, what year was the genios? or did i miss that?

i ask as by coincidence, i just finished one from a box from 2007, smoked it during the wallabies game. will have a thorough look at your notes tomorrow, but i thoroughly enjoyed mine. lots of dark chocolate. rich. more tomorrow.

[ralphie48]

great review thanks for sharing. i have both the genios and secretos and enjoy them both, then again i think i was lucky to get two good boxes with perfect draws and good wrappers. Im looking forward to having them with a little age on them, but they are most definatley enjoyable now

[JohnS]

john, what year was the genios? or did i miss that?

i ask as by coincidence, i just finished one from a box from 2007, smoked it during the wallabies game. will have a thorough look at your notes tomorrow, but i thoroughly enjoyed mine. lots of dark chocolate. rich. more tomorrow.

I believe Trevor said that these three Maduro 5 cigars were stored from when they first came out, circa 2007 or 2008. This all came about from an innocent discussion about wrappers, oils and cigars that are tannic when young yet settle down into a good smoke with rest.

The Genios was also smoked during the miserable Sydney weather last week, which I believe Brisbane had its share of too. There was barely any peaks of sunshine, no day got above 18 degrees, there were continual gusts of wind (so actual temperature was 2 or 3 degrees lower) and rain was intermittent. So, not ideal conditions for smoking. Despite this, the tasting notes I got from all three cigars was similar, just more spice on the Secretos and a little less on the Genios.

[TheMonk]

Very nicely done, mate! Great review.

[cigarbigboy]

Just had my first 2007. Incredible. Best cigar I've ever had. I wanted to smoke the whole box but force myself to be restrained.