The History of The Cohiba Brand (wikipedia) Cohiba's origins trace back to the middle 1960s, when a bodyguard of Fidel Castro shared some of his private supply of cigars made by a local artisan named Eduardo Ribera.[1] These cigars pleased Castro so much that a special production of the unbranded blend, produced under tight security, was made for Castro and other top government officials.[1] As Castro himself recalled the tale in 1994: "I used to see the man smoking a very aromatic, very nice cigar, and I asked him what brand he was smoking. He told me that it was a special blend, but that it came from a friend who makes cigars and he gave them to him. I said, let's find this man. I tried the cigar, and I found it so good that we got in touch with him and asked him how he made it. Then we set up the house [the El Laguito factory], and he explained the blend of tobacco he used. He told which leaves he used from which tobacco plantations. He also told us about the wrappers he used and other things. We found a group of cigar makers. We gave them the material and that is how the factory was founded. Now Cohiba is known all over the world."[2] The production of special cigars for top officials under conditions of tight security was given extra impetus by fears of ongoing CIA assassination efforts against Fidel and Raul Castro and Che Guevarra. The technical services department of the agency is now in fact known to have worked on the development of exploding cigars as a means of assassination from the early 1960s.[3] Before the distinctive black-and-yellow band of the Cohiba became a badge of plutocracy, it was the favored smoke of Cuba's revolutionary elite [...] Soon these long, elegant cigars became as much a part of the revolutionary look as facial hair and military fatigues, thanks to Che Guevara's pronouncement that he had never smoked a better cigar. — Newsweek The Cohiba brand was formally launched in 1968 at the direction of Cubatabaco, the Cuban state tobacco marketing bureau.[5] The head of Cubatabaco asked Avelino Lara, head of the El Laguito factory, to create a new super-premium blend which differed from all previously existing Cuban cigars.[5] During the first few years of production only a few thousand boxes were produced annually, reserved for the use of high government officials and frequently given away as diplomatic gifts.[5] Cohiba was launched into the public market as a premium cigar brand in 1982 in conjunction with the 1982 World Cup held in Spain.[1] At the time of its first public launch, the Cohiba marque consisted of just three vitolas (sizes): the Panetela, the Corona Especial, and the Lancero. In 1989 three more vitolas were added: the Robusto, the Exquisito, and the Espléndido. These first six are now collectively known as the company's Línea Clásica (classic line). In 1992 Habanos SA launched the first sizes in what it calls the Línea 1492, commemorating Christopher Columbus and his voyage to the Americas, with each size named for a century since Columbus' discovery. The initial launch included the Siglo I, Siglo II, Siglo III, Siglo IV, and Siglo V, with a Siglo VI added in 2002. Cohiba also produces two machine-made cigarillos: the Mini and the Club. Habanos SA have used their Cohiba brand name for non-cigar products, manufacturing Cohiba cigarettes since 1987 and Extra Cohiba Cognac since 1999. In 1992 approximately 3.4 million cigars were produced in Cuba bearing the Cohiba label, out of a total Cuban cigar export production of approximately 60 million pieces.[6]   December 2010   They're Here!   The new Montecristo OPEN lineup are now available here at CigarsofCuba.com.     Perfectly designed to be enjoyed Alfresco the Open Junior, Open Master, Open Regata and Open Eagle are fantastic additions with all the Montecristo Flavours we love.     OPEN is the first line born in Montecristo , the best-known brand of Habanos throughout the world. Its blend, made up with selected leaves coming from the finest Vegas in the Vuelta Abajo region – the best tobacco land in the world- carry all the essence of the distinctive flavour of Montecristo in its new 4 vitolas. Eagle, Regata, Master and Junior are made to meet all Montecristolovers’ needs as well as to welcome the new generations who enjoy the pleasures of living al fresco. Therefore, OPEN widens the choice inside the Montecristo brand. Eagle is the biggest cigar of this new OPEN line in length and in ring gauge. It is made for those smokers who have more time to devote to their Habano, in the quest for a complete pleasure. The factory name is “Geniales”. (Ring Gauge 54 and150 mm long).Regata is a “figurado “. It closely follows behind the tradition of Montecristo Nº2 in a thinner smoke. The factory name is “Forum”. (Ring Gauge 46 and 135 mm in the length). Amongst the OPEN arrivals is, at last, the inclusion of a “Robusto” that has been an eagerly awaited arrival in the Montecristo range. The commercial name is “Master” (Ring Gauge 50 and 124 mm long). And last but not least we have “Junior”, falling in line with current life trends – perfect for smoking in shorter spaces of time, taking into account the smokers profile evolution as well as smoking restrictions in some areas. The factory name is “Trabucos”. (Ring Gauge 38 and110 mm in the length). Montecristo is the best-known Habanos brand throughout de world and one of the most appreciated. It forms the benchmark for many Habanos smokers against which other brands are judged. These 4 new Montecristo OPEN vitolas permit enjoying its distinctive taste that keeps capturing both connoisseurs and newcomers, ensuring new taste sensations provided by these innovative sizes.  (Adapted from Habanos S.A.)

"The Best Cigar Of The Year 2006" Bolivar Royal Corona The Bolivar Brand has always been a hit with Cuban Cigar Aficionados.  The Bolivar Royal Corona has the power and strength indicative of the Bolivars.  This Robusto "delivers a sophisticated flavour bomb of a smoke with an array of rich character including touches of chocolate, coffee and leather.  This finish is long and it should only get better with age." (CA)      So, what are you waiting for, buy a box of The Best Cigar of 2006 while stocks last (and the Whistler Cigar Co staff can keep their hands off them!)  Smoke them, age them or if you want to be really popular give some away!!  Whatever you decide to do with them this No.1 will not disappoint!   CLICK HERE TO BUY

WE HAVE MOVED! We are pleased and excited to announce that we have moved our Whistler Cigar Retail Store.  You can now find us in the Town Plaza in the Main Whistler Village.  With a more central location and an even Bigger walk-in Humidor we are able to provide even greater Cuban Cigar selection and a wide range of accessories.  Same Great Service & Prices You Trust!  Be sure to stop by and visit if you find yourself in our Neighbourhood we love to meet fellow Cigar Aficionados.

NEW Cohiba Siglo II Tubo   We are happy to introduce that the popular Cohiba Siglo II is now available in a tube.   "Oily, firm and well made, with a fine draw and an even burn. The cigar is spicy and rich, with complex flavors of dark chocolate, coffee and leather. A full bodied masterpiece." (C.A.) Click Here To Buy Now

NEW  Montecristo Petit Edmundo If you love the Montecristo Edmundo as much as we do then you'll love it's little brother the New Montecristo Petit Edmundo.  It is one inch shorter than the Edmundo at 4 1/3" and has a ring guage of 52 the same as it's big brother.  This cigar is a great smoke with all the pizazz of the Montecristo Brand. Click Here To Buy Now

EMAIL Address Change Due to us receiving huge volumes of Spam email we are phasing out our old email address.  Please change your records to our new email address:  INFO@CIGARSOFCUBA.COM Sorry for any inconvenience....

     

       The Launch of the 2006 Limited Editions

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Muralla 7 1/8 " x 54  A GIANT smoke, this large Churchill Plus sized torpedo is a Cigar which makes a bold statement.  With medium to full body the San Cristobal Muralla will not disappoint.

Mercaderes 6 1/2 " x 48  Named after a major street in Havana which once was a bustling Commercial hub, this Cigar is sure to please any discerning Cigar smoker.

Oficios 5 1/4 " x 43  This medium bodied cigar is the smallest of the new San Cristobals but there is no compromise on Flavour.  With an even burn this is an absolute pleasure to smoke.

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 Joseph Fiennes

 Launches New

Romeo & Julieta Short Churchill In Cuba

British actor Joseph Fiennes of Shakespeare in Love fame has helped launch a new Cuban cigar, tossing off a few lines from Romeo and Juliet in honour of the cigar’s maker.

Fiennes was the featured visitor as Cuba began its annual cigar festival Monday night, presenting a cigar size called the Short Churchill by Cuba’s state-owned Romeo and Juliet brand at Havana’s Gran Teatro.

“I’ve really gained a newfound respect for the kind of level of attention, detail, complexity and energy that goes into making a cigar,” Fiennes told reporters.

Fiennes noted that according to legend, former British prime minister Winston Churchill smoked more than 200,000 Cuban cigars during trips to the island.

“I cannot compete with Winston Churchill because sadly, I am only here for three enchanting days,” the actor told the crowd.

Fiennes, also known for his role in The Merchant of Venice, was headed to South Africa next to work on a film. It was his first trip to Cuba.

 BUY THE ROMEO & JULIETA SHORT CHURCHILL HERE

  COHIBA 40TH ANNIVERSARIO

The long-awaited newest Cohiba was finally unveiled on March 3, 2006 in Havana.  This sets the record for the highest price for a young smoke running at around $18,000 for a 40 cigar humidor.  This limited-edition humidor was produced in celebration of 40 years of the Cohiba brand.  The modern humidor is produced using ebony, bone and skate skin.  The new cigar size is known as Behike it measures 7 ½ inches x 52.

According to Osmar León the factory manager of El Laguito, Behike is a blend of the middle range of Cohiba. It is a mix of tobacco with an average of five years of age. The wrappers come from the farms of some of the best growers in the Pinar del Río, Cuba's finest tobacco growing region. Growers Alejandro Robaina, Pancho Cuba and Antonio Maria Paz supplied their best wrappers from two years ago.

  The 40th anniversary humidors are numbered from 1 to 100, and every cigar includes a secondary band with "Behike" printed on it as well as a number from 1 to 4,000. Humidor buyers may also have their names etched in a plaque on the lid.   The demand for these limited edition cigars and the limited supply mean that the Behike humidor will most likely double or triple in price over the next couple of years. This cigar will benefit from aging and is destined to become a must for serious cigar collections.                                                                                                                           (Cigar Aficionado)

Cabinet's with Bands-On

All new Cuban Cabinet selections are being released with the bands on all the Cigars.  So, if you received a Cabinet with bands on don't panic!  These are not fakes! 

"If you like your Cuban cigars without bands, then you better hurry and buy what's left in cabinet smokes on the market. Habanos S.A., the global distribution company for Cuban cigars, says that it's slowly moving towards placing bands on all smokes coming from the island.

According to sources on the island, the new policy should be established by the end of the year. "We want people to know what they are smoking," he said.

Until now, aficionados could, for the most part, buy Cuban cigars without bands when they purchased cabinets of 25 or 50 smokes. The cigars come in cedar boxes in bundles with a yellow ribbon around them. Some of the exceptions have been Cohiba as well as Davidoff and Dunhill, when they were made on the island. But this is all to change. "   Ref Cigar Aficionado

New Trinidad Sizes

The outstanding brand Trinidad has released three new formats to join the Fundadores.  Accompanying the new sizes will be a new image which is more appropriate to its extraordinary quality.  The range of four Trinidad sizes will continue to have the traditional blend of this brand. 

The three new sizes are as follows:  

        Reyes                 40 ring guage, 4 1/3 " in length

        Coloniales          44 ring guage, 5 1/4"  in length

        Robusto Extra   50 ring guage, 6 1/8" in length 

The full range of sizes will be in varnished wooden boxes of 14 and 24 cigars.  Reyes and Coloniales will be available in 5 cigar packs and Robusto Extra in 3 cigar packs.  The Fundadores will now be presented in varnished wooden boxes  of 12 and 24 cigars and 5 cigar cartons.

Click Here to Purchase the new Trinidads

CIGARSofCUBA.COM Partners with WHITE TIE

It is with great excitement that I inform you that CIGARSofCUBA.COM and the Whistler Cigar Co. have partnered with WhiteTie, a membership-based organization that shares our commitment to providing the highest possible level of service to customers.                                 

WhiteTie offers old-world civility and service - the Power of Recognition. WhiteTie has selected 30-plus partners in Whistler, Vancouver, BC, Seattle and Portland that offer the very best in hotels, restaurants, the arts and sports entertainment. In the coming months they will expand into additional markets and offer increased benefits. I strongly encourage you to visit their web site at   www.whitetie.com to learn more about their offerings with us and other partners. Again, we are very proud to be associated with WhiteTie.

 

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New Montecristo Bands and Packaging

CIGARSofCUBA.COM is pleased to announce Montecristo's new Logo and Band changes.

Habanos S.A.has confirmed that, starting in June 2003; new bands were introduced for the entire Montecristo line.

We have seen the new band on Primarily the New Limited Edition Montecristo C, No. 2, and No. 4. We do not expect to see the new band on many of the other Montecristo Cigars in the short run.  These will gradually appear over time, and Distributors and retailers use up stock. 

"The changes in these bands are part of a major facelift of the entire Montecristo line. In addition to the new bands, several new packaging formats have been added, and there will be a new cigar size introduced into the regular Montecristo line sometime next year.

Both the new bands and the logo have had a facelift - the paper is now a shiny gloss similar to the bands of most of the other major labels, instead of the older plain matte finish. And, a "hook" has been added to the edge of the fleur-de-lis symbol. You can see the old and new band above (provided to us by Habanos S.A.)"  

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NEW CUABA SALOMONES

 

CIGARSofCUBA.COM present the new cigar the Salomones de Cuaba.

 

The Cuaba brand recreates the style of cigars that existed in the 19th century  when Habanos pointed at both ends became popular.  All Cuaba cigars have this distinctive shape, the double figurado.  In 1996 this style was taken up at the Romeo y Julieta factory where the Cuaba brand is made using traditional methods completely by hand.  Therefore, the Cuaba brand has been chosen for the recovery of a form so highly appreciated with the Cuaba Salomones.

 

The Cuaba Salomones are rolled using the best leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba and are characterized by their excellent taste and medium to full flavour, with an evolution and complexity in their smoking that will be enjoyed by all Habanos lovers.

 

Buy the new Cuaba Salomones which are now available from us in singles and boxes of 10.