Cohiba Espléndidos

[coocooforroo]

Cohiba Espléndidos

Popular Vitola: Churchill

Factory Vitola: Julieta No.2

Ring Gauge: 47

Cigar Length: 178 mm / 6.9 inches

Body: Medium - Full

Box Code: ARO-JUL.08

A beautiful fall afternoon in Eastern North Carolina and the day off necessitated a special cigar. I pulled the Esp from my 68% humidor, where it had been resting for several months, and headed for the slightly windy back deck. The cigar had the typical beautiful construction of a Co Esp. The burn and draw were very even throughout. The overwhelming taste was white pepper and spice, with the last third becoming a little more creamy (but not much), which I thought was unusual. Typically Esp's begin creamy and end with the spice from my experience. It was a powerful full flavored cigar but never overwhelming. The aroma was glorious. I was expecting much more complexity in taste. I would give it an 89, but was hoping for a 93+. For the price, there are much better cigars available. I think I shall go find one now.

[coopesc2000]

Thats one of the cigars I been meaning to get my hands on. That and the lanceros but really haven't heard anything spectacular about them. Heard a CoRo is where I just need to stick to.

[bassman]

Thats one of the cigars I been meaning to get my hands on. That and the lanceros but really haven't heard anything spectacular about them. Heard a CoRo is where I just need to stick to.

08 Siglo IV & V have been excellent. As for the Esplendidos, haven't treid any recent ones. 01s were divine, 05s nothing special.

[Ken Gargett]

i think you get considerable variation with these. when on, they are great but seems too often they have been hit and miss. not what you want in an expensive cigar and one which is supposedly a flagship. that said, i think i have been lucky as most of the ones i've tried have been excellent. most, not all.

[Buch0]

Ahhh Esplendidos.. Probably my favourite special occasion cigar. I feel for you that it didn't blow your mind like the experiences I have indulged in. I might have been lucky like Ken, but everyone I have had has been something special. Its one of the cigars that puts a smile on my face just before I touch it with a flame. Cream, honey, custard and sugar cane is what these are all about on their day..

I hope your next one is a lot better!

[joeypots]

I'd hold off on any opinions of the cigar until it is three or more years old. Five would be better.

[stargazer14]

I think this has to be one of the most counterfeited smokes -

I have on 4 occasions been 'gifted' one of these, 4 different people, different times.

All were bogus. I was actually going to smoke one of those this weekend!

As for the real ones, the high price gets in he way of my smoking pleasure.

[thechenman]

A phenomenal cigar when they are on, but like Ken I have had a few busts as well. Do I buy them? Yes, but not as often as other Churchills that are less expensive and more consisten (i.e., Sir Winston).

[aavkk]

As a self proclaimed big fan of Cohiba I just have never been able to pull the trigger on a box of Espy's. With the very high price tag and availability of great Lanceros at 3/4 the price its never near the top of my must have list. I certainly wouldnt mind a well aged box but that will have to wait.

[bassman]

I have to agree that inconsistancy is the main reason I don't buy a box of these. Lots of money, so I'd hope all- or almost all- would be of top quality. I actually find more consistancy in my 97, 03 & 06 Bolivar Coronas Gigantes- a fine Churchill for far less money.

Yes, when a Cohiba is on it's heaven on earth, but for now at least, I'll stick to the Sig IV & V.

[smll2]

I have to agree that inconsistancy is the main reason I don't buy a box of these. Lots of money, so I'd hope all- or almost all- would be of top quality. I actually find more consistancy in my 97, 03 & 06 Bolivar Coronas Gigantes- a fine Churchill for far less money.

Yes, when a Cohiba is on it's heaven on earth, but for now at least, I'll stick to the Sig IV & V.

I have a box. Smoked maybe 4....have given away 4....haven't had a good experience yet. Very bland and I'm not that tough to please...nothing from these expensive fellas. Wouldn't buy another box...for all the $$$ unless it was PSP...or had some other assurances. I hope they get better with time. I splendid to much on these cigars. Won't happen again.

[Ken Gargett]

I have a box. Smoked maybe 4....have given away 4....haven't had a good experience yet. Very bland and I'm not that tough to please...nothing from these expensive fellas. Wouldn't buy another box...for all the $$$ unless it was PSP...or had some other assurances. I hope they get better with time. I splendid to much on these cigars. Won't happen again.

very tough when that happens and i feel sorry for you but don't dismiss them forever. when you get a good box, you'll know why.

[BolivarSmoker]

Paid almost $50 USD for one at a LCDH while on vacation. Thought I needed to try it just to say I did. Ok, but good grief, I could have three or four better (IMO) cigars for the price!

[Buch0]

very tough when that happens and i feel sorry for you but don't dismiss them forever. when you get a good box, you'll know why.

Couldn't agree more with this.. I am truly amazed at the experiences the majority have had with this cigar?? When you see Cohiba Esplendidos in the topic of a thread you expect (well I do anyway) nothing but praise and top notch memories about this great.. Hopefully you all get to try some prime examples of the Esplendido one day down the track.

[hsmunoz]

have to agree with bassman on these.

05 was not a great year for these and in general. smoked some 06 and 08's that were excellent. sitting on some 08s that won't see the light of day for at least three yrs. (thanks Czar!)

when on, they just make everything around you fade away.

[bassman]

Tried a gifted 07 today. An enjoyable smoke, but nothing that really got my attention. Usually I like Cohibas with at least 3 years on them, but was curious how a recent one was. For a fresh Cohiba, I much prefer the 08 Siglo V. More flavor at a lower price.

[Bartolomeo]

Cohiba Esplendido SMG APR 08

125 min smoke

Bought two singles from Czar

Absolutely Splendid indeed!

Light Maduro wrapper, minimal veins, velvet to the touch, perfect condition, solid feeling, well made

Initial puff is white pepper and sugar/cream/honey.......take your pick

Flavors included vanilla bean pods, white pepper, chocalate, coffee and grass

First 40% of cigar was scored a 9.3/10 easily, middle part dropped back down but finish was outstanding

Very complex in flavor profile entire smoke

Not a Churchill fan, in fact this was my only second Churchill ever after Sir Winnie

These have been hit and miss so I have read but my particular cigar was dressed to the nines and looking for some action!

Nice spice/heat on back of throat, good enough to notice but not strong enough to overpower other flavors

9.25/10

I am thinking a box that will sit in my humi for special occasions due to expensive price point

Very enjoyable experience!

Bart

[cdancewicz]

I had one of these last night in celebration of signing the papers on my first home on my new deck. It was very enjoyable. Flavorful and smooth. I'm not sure of the box code as it was a split with members from another forum, but its been in my humidor for about 6 months. It was worth the $30 a stick.

If I ever have the money to buy a box of these I definitely would, and would let them sit for 2+ years. Dry boxed it for 24 hrs. Nice draw, that was easy but had a little tug to it if you tried to really pull on it. Construction was great with a very small crack in the wrapper at the foot due to my 3 cigar cedar lined travel case rattling around in the car on the way to the house. This one exhibited nice vanilla flavors initially, and then had the cohiba grassy/chocolatey taste to it that was very very good. It was nice and cool on the palate until the final 3rd, which shows the youth of the cigar. I have 3 more left of the original 5 as I gave another one to my brother who also enjoyed his.

I'd give this one a 92 as it was really great until it got hot. I smoked it to the wrapper just because it was 30 dollars and then put it down in favor of more whiskey and champagne inside my new warm house.

Chris

[thechenman]

Congrats on your new home. Glad to hear that you celebrated your new purchase in style.

[BobLobLaw]

Never had one, but I have an 08 box resting for me in Rob's online humi. Will prob try to get a single or two sometime soon to try, but no plans to ship this box to me for at least the next 2-3 years. Also some 08 CoRo and Sir Winnies in the same place! Love the OHS as it allows me to purchase more then I have space for and keeps my hands out of the boxes.

[thechenman]

Never had one, but I have an 08 box resting for me in Rob's online humi. Will prob try to get a single or two sometime soon to try, but no plans to ship this box to me for at least the next 2-3 years. Also some 08 CoRo and Sir Winnies in the same place! Love the OHS as it allows me to purchase more then I have space for and keeps my hands out of the boxes.

I'll second that commentary on the OHS. A true lifesaver.

[cubanoamor]

I to have been let down by this cigar. By no fault of cohiba though, just the jerk offs that counterfeit them. I was given one by a friend who got some from a friend. Label looked ok but as soon as I lit it up I knew it was a fake. I felt even worse trying to figure out how to tell this poor guy his stash was fake. Should of known it was too good to be true, who gets a handful of these as a gift? Apparently not me and my friend. Oh well!