Dominican Cohiba

The Cohiba was introduced in Cuba in 1968 so it's a relatively new brand by Cuban standards. First rolled in the El Laguito factory in Havana, it quickly became the flagship brand of the Cuban cigar industry. The line was initially developed as a medium-bodied cigar available only to officials of the Cuban government. By 1982 someone decided capitalism wasn't such a bad thing after all and the brand was expanded and marketed widely. The first "Cuban" Cohiba line produced outside the island was in Fernando Perez's German factory. Now it's also made in the Dominican Republic but by two separate entities. Monecristi de Tabacos holds the trademark for Cohiba in the Dominican Republic and General Cigar owns distribution rights in the U.S. so we bring you General Cigar's "Cohiba De Dominicana." Note the light, silky Connecticut shade wrapper. It's well constructed, the draw effortless, and the burn even with a nice firm white ash indicating properly aged tobacco. We found the smoke volume substantial and its pleasantly spicy aroma is one of the Cohiba's best attributes. It has a characteristic Dominican flavor—rich, creamy and full of spicy, peppery notes. Overall, this is a well balanced, well constructed stick, packed with flavor. A Mojito would be a fitting, complementary pairing. Make it the Cuban way by using quinine water (tonic), not soda water. Salud!