Cohiba Riviera Robusto

Cohiba has a rich history in the cigar world. Developed in 1968, Cohiba quickly became the flagship brand of the Cuban cigar industry. Quite a few myths surround the brand, including one that relates directly to its name which was said to be the aboriginal Taino Indian word for "tobacco," but is now understood to have meant "cigar." The truth about Cohiba's origin is offered by Emilia Tamayo, the Director at El Laguito, Cuba’s most exclusive cigar factory. It all began in the mid-1960s when one of President Fidel Castro's bodyguards enjoyed a private supply of cigars from a local roller, Eduardo Rivera. They so pleased the president that Rivera was asked to make the blend exclusively for Castro. Developed initially as a medium-bodied protocol cigar for presentation only by officials of the Cuban government, in 1982 Castro decided to release his Cohiba Red Dots (as they’re usually called) to the public. Thankfully, many cigar manufacturers fled to other countries to avoid the suppressive Cuban government and now both Cuban and non-Cuban varieties of the same cigar brand exist. Legendary brands often come with unrealistic expectations but this one shouldn’t disappoint on any level.

Hailing from General Cigar's factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, the Cohiba Riviera is one that is basked in luxury. When released in 2023, this exquisite three-country blend became the first and only box-pressed cigar in Cohiba’s collection. It features a filler blend of Honduran Jamastran, Honduran La Entrada, Nicaraguan Condega, and Nicaraguan Estelí, all enrobed in a Honduran Connecticut binder, and then finished with a stunning Mexican San Andrés wrapper leaf – which is another first for Cohiba. Medium to full bodied, expect notes of dark chocolate, coffee beans, and leather. Not only did we love this smoke, but so did Cigar Aficionado who not only gave it a well deserved 92-point rating but also awarded it a spot in their Top 25 Cigars of 2024 – the first time for a non-Cuban Cohiba. There are a lot of firsts for this cigar. Pair this special smoke with a glass of Division Winemaking ‘Nightshade’ Pinot Noir.

The Nicaraguan cigar industry originated when Cuban cigar makers escaped the revolution and re-established their livelihood in Nicaragua with Cuban-seed tobacco. Blessed with dark, rich soil, their new home was ideal for tobacco cultivation and Nicaragua quickly became known for cigars that rivaled Cuban quality. Unfortunately, revolution and war came to Nicaragua in the 1980s and devastated the industry, but it’s rebounded dramatically and is once again producing tobacco considered by many to be the finest in the world.

The Esteli Valley is in many ways the heart of Nicaraguan production and is known for its very powerful and spicy tobacco. The Jalapa Valley produces arguably the finest tobacco in the country: somewhat sweeter and less intense than Esteli, but extremely complex. The tobacco of the Condega Valley is often described as a blend of the other two regions.