COHIBA AND WELLER BOURBON INTRODUCE HOLIDAY GIFT SET CELEBRATING YEARS-LONG COLLABORATION

Cohiba and Weller Bourbon are marking the holiday season with a collectible humidor that captures the magnitude of their acclaimed partnership. The Weller by Cohiba Holiday Humidor Gift Set unites four rare cigars from the 2022 - 2025 releases, many of which are no longer available, alongside two Cohiba x Weller whiskey glasses presented in an elegant custom humidor. 

More than a collection, this limited-edition release offers a curated tasting experience, allowing cigar and bourbon enthusiasts alike to explore how aging tobacco in different Weller Bourbon barrels has shaped each cigar’s distinctive profile. Each expression reflects a moment in the evolution of this partnership, highlighting the nuances of both tobacco and bourbon aging. 

"Our collaboration with Weller continues to be a unique partnership between two iconic brands committed to bringing exceptional offerings to the market,” said Sean Williams, Cohiba Brand Ambassador. “This year's holiday release is exactly that, with a four-year flight of Weller by Cohiba blends showcasing the best of our tobacco elevated with the aging in Weller barrels set aside for this terrific project." A Four-Year Tasting Experience:

● Weller by Cohiba 2022: Introduced tobacco aged in Weller Bourbon barrels for a smooth, balanced profile.

● Weller by Cohiba 2023: Debuted a new blend built around the same Weller 12 Year barrel-aged binder, adding depth and nuance.

● Weller by Cohiba 2024: Features a Broadleaf binder aged in Weller Full Proof barrels, delivering bolder body and greater intensity.

● Weller by Cohiba 2025: Crafted with a Broadleaf binder aged in Weller Antique 107 barrels, offering bold character and refined balance.

Available beginning December 2025, the Weller by Cohiba Holiday Gift Set will be offered in limited quantities with a suggested retail price of $249.99.

M BY MACANUDO HOLIDAY GIFT SET ARRIVES THIS DECEMBER

Just in time for the holiday season, Macanudo will launch the M by Macanudo Coffee & Espresso Gift Set, a limited-edition flavored sampler designed for cigar and coffee lovers alike.

This seasonal set features seven flavored Toro cigars alongside a Macanudo-branded camp mug, all priced at $70. The sampler delivers holiday-ready enjoyment and makes for a perfect gift. The M by Macanudo Coffee & Espresso Gift Set Includes:

- 4x M Coffee Toros (6 x 50): The original expression of the M line, infused with coffee and cocoa.

- 3x M Espresso with Cream Toros (6 x 50): A rich blend infused with espresso and cream flavor.

- 1x Macanudo Camp-Style Coffee Mug

"The holidays are about being together with friends and family, and this sampler was created with that in mind,” said Matt Wilson, Senior Brand Manager for Macanudo. “Whether you’re gifting the entire box or sharing it during a gathering, the set has something for everyone to enjoy.”

The M by Macanudo Coffee & Espresso Gift Set will be available at select retailers nationwide beginning in December

J.C. Newman Ships Diamond Crown 130th Anniversary Humidor

Limited to 130 Premium Cigar Retailers. Each Humidors is Filled

with 130 Rare Diamond Crown Cigars.

J.C. Newman Cigar Co. was founded on May 5, 1895.  In celebration of its 130th anniversary, J.C. Newman began shipping the Diamond Crown 130th Anniversary Humidor to premium cigar retailers across the United States.  This luxurious humidor is handcrafted with a glossy white piano finish, gold accents, and custom diamond-shaped hardware.  Each humidor contains five trays with 130 rare Diamond Crown Belicoso No. 9 cigars.  J.C. Newman is releasing these humidors to 130 premium cigar retailers across the United States. Each humidor has a suggested retail price of $2,250.

“Diamond Crown is our family’s anniversary cigar,” said fourth-generation owner Drew Newman.  “My great-grandfather created Diamond Crown more than a century ago.  In 1995, my grandfather Stanford J. Newman and Carlos Fuente, Jr. created Diamond Crown Classic to celebrate our company’s 100th anniversary.  It is only fitting that we celebrate our latest milestone with our Diamond Crown 130th Anniversary humidor.”

When J.C. Newman founded his company in 1895, there were 40,000 licensed cigar manufacturers in the United States.  Today, J.C. Newman is America’s oldest family-owned premium cigar maker.  Its iconic El Reloj cigar factory in the “Cigar City” of Tampa, Florida is the last traditional cigar factory still operating in the United States.

“We introduced the rare Diamond Crown Belicoso No. 9 cigars when we unveiled our new, elevated Diamond Crown Classic packaging at the Big Smoke Las Vegas last November,” said Newman. “Our Diamond Crown 130th anniversary humidors is the first time this new size is shared with cigar enthusiasts around the country.” When describing creating Diamond Crown Classic in 1995, Stanford J. Newman said, “I didn’t care how long it took, how much it cost, or even whether it would sell. I simply wanted to make the best cigar in the world,” and Carlos Fuente, Jr., said, “I made this cigar for a man I loved.”

J.C. Newman Ships Sarzedas, a New Nicaraguan Brand

Today, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. began shipping Sarzedas. U.S. Patent Office records show that J.C. Newman first rolled Sarzedas cigars in 1900. A century ago, Sarzedas was widely known as “The Aromatic Cigar.” One hundred and twenty-five years later, the new Sarzedas cigars are handmade at J.C. Newman’s PENSA cigar factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.

“I have loved the Sarzedas name and the brand’s history as ‘The Aromatic Cigar’ for years,” said fourth-generation owner Drew Newman. “I have been wanting to bring this historic brand back, but we had to wait until we could create a blend that lives up to the brand’s legacy. Sarzedas is the most flavorful cigar we have ever made."

Sarzedas cigars are rolled in four sizes: a 6” x 50 toro, a 4.75” x 52 robusto, a 7” x 48 Churchill, and a 5.5” x 43 corona. They were blended by Rich Dolak, J.C. Newman’s longtime Vice President of Operations who has been blending the cigars with the Newmans for 29 years. Sarzedas features a silky smooth Ecuadorian Shade wrapper, and binder and filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. The suggested retail price is between $7.75 and $10 per cigar.

“Sarzedas is a fun, aromatic cigar that everyone can enjoy,” said Newman.

DON EMMANUEL CIGARS ANNOUNCES EXPANSION INTO KEY CARIBBEAN AND LATIN AMERICAN MARKETS

Don Emmanuel Cigars, the boutique premium cigar brand founded by Brazilian tobacco devotee Don Emmanuel, is proud to announce its expansion into new international markets, including the Caribbean region, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico.

This milestone marks a meaningful step in the brand’s evolution, reflecting growing attention for its debut line, Anunnaki, co-blended by Don Emmanuel and legendary Master Blender Eladio Díaz at Tabacalera Díaz Cabrera in the Dominican Republic.

“Expanding into these markets is a very meaningful moment for us,” said Don Emmanuel, Founder and Creator. “Each of these regions has a rich cigar culture and a deep appreciation for craftsmanship. Bringing our vision, our blend, and our philosophy to more smokers across the Caribbean and Latin America reinforces what we believe in: cigars that celebrate energy, balance, and connection.”

Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Don Emmanuel carries a deep family connection to tobacco. His passion was first sparked by his grandmother, who worked for Suerdieck, once the largest cigar manufacturer in the world. What began as childhood fascination grew into a lifelong devotion: over more than two decades, he studied tobacco intimately, visiting factories and plantations across Latin America, learning directly from respected master blenders, and shaping a creative philosophy inspired by ancient cultures and the elemental nature of the leaf.

This personal approach became central to the creation of Anunnaki, which Emmanuel blended in partnership with Eladio Díaz — combining his own sensory vision and thematic inspiration with Díaz’s unparalleled technical experience. The result is a cigar crafted with seven distinct tobaccos, including a rare Dominican wrapper and a Mexican San Andrés Negro binder, celebrated for its balance, evolution, and expressive flavor journey.

With availability now expanding into the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico, Don Emmanuel Cigars continues its mission of reaching new audiences while strengthening relationships with markets that value artisanal production, premium sourcing, and meaningful storytelling.

All three vitolas of the Anunnaki line — Anu (6 x 52 Toro), Ki (5 x 50 Robusto), and Corona Fina (4 x 38, Tin of 5) - will be made available in these regions.

Umbagog Bronzeback Robusto (5 x 52)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

Steve Saka, founder of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, is known to mention how busy he is with all of his cigar projects, which is understandable. But he is also known to find some time to relax, which occasionally involves fishing, specifically at Umbagog Lake State Park in Errol, N.H., which Saka has called his favorite lake for fishing.

So it should come as little surprise that Saka created a line of cigars named for his favorite fishing hole.

The Umbagog line debuted in early 2017, with Saka calling it “robust and durable, designed to endure the rigors of outside activity with its thick broadleaf capa and easy burning liga. This is a cigar that doesn’t pretend to be special or seek to elicit the ‘oohs or aahs’ of the cigar snobs. It is an honest, hardworking cigar that is meant to be smoked, chewed upon and lit however many times you wish. For me, it is the perfect cigar for mowing the yard, hiking, four wheelin’ and of course, fishing!”

In 2024, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust would release the Umbagog Bronzeback, a variation on the Umbagog named for the nickname of the smallmouth bass and using a different priming of the wrapper. While both cigars use a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper and a Nicaraguan binder and filler, the original Umbagog uses what’s called a Medium/#1 Dark, the Bronzeback uses a 2LS.

The 2LS, which Saka said is a designation for the leaves typically situated between the 1/3 to 1/2 mark on the stalk, sit beneath what are called the “Mediums.”

“This section of the plant produces wrapper with a different hue and flavor profile,” Saka explained in a Facebook post, adding that they offer a slightly less sweet, but significantly more peppery smoking experience than the classic sweet, earthy and cocoa notes exhibited by broadleaf.

The Umbagog Bronzeback debuted in a lone 5 x 48 Rothschild vitola. Then, in June 2025, the line got its second size, a 5 x 52 robusto, which comes priced at $10.75 per cigar or $107.50 for a 10-count, paper-wrapped bundle. The Umbagog line is made at Nicaragua American Cigars S.A. (NACSA) in Estelí.

The cigar is medium to dark brown and nicely made. It has an average feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good with a little touch of firmness. The initial flavors at light up were pear, brown sugar, leather, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Pretty good start.

At the first third (19 minutes) I had the same notes. The pear is secondary to the brown sugar. There is still some leather and black coffee. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is pear with very good lingering black pepper. The sweet notes are nice and the lower level notes are in the proper amount. I rated the first third 94.

Moving through the second third (38 minutes) there was a big change. The leather, which now appears to be a tanned leather, has risen along with the black coffee. The same sweet notes are there but they have decreased. There is also a nuttiness in the cigar. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is unchanged. I rated the second third 92.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 2 minutes. The sweet notes came back. The leather and black coffee pulled back. The cigar got back to the way it was in the first third so I rated the final third 94. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is unchanged. This is a good cigar with a good price point so look for these at your local shop and give it a try.

Overall Score: 93.33

Mi Querida Gorila Gordo (6 x 60 gordo)

Video review HERE.

(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)

A new addition to Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust’s Mi Querida line is on the way to retailers, but it is not the vitola that was originally planned.

The Mi Querida Gorila Gordo is a 6 x 60 gordo with a 109-style cap, made up of a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper covering a Nicaraguan binder and filler blend. As with the other sizes in the Mi Querida line, it is produced at Nicaragua American Cigars S.A. (NACSA). The 109-style cap is a hybrid between the traditional round cap of a robusto or toro and the pointed cap of a belicoso.

Each cigar has an MSRP of $14.95, and it is packaged in boxes of 20 that started shipping to retailers on Sept. 12.

While Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust’s plan to add a gordo vitola to Mi Querida is not new, the initial plan was for an even thicker cigar. Last year, the company discontinued the Mi Querida Muy Gordo Grande—a 6 x 54 toro grande vitola—with Saka saying that it would be replaced by a thicker 6 x 64 vitola.

“I personally was content with either the 60 or 64, but since we already have the 7 x 64, using the 6 x 60 vitola introduced more diversity into the portfolio, so I opted for that,” said Saka, when asked why the ring gauge had changed.

The Mi Querida brand debuted in 2016 with four different vitolas, including the Muy Gordo Grande. In the nine years since its first release, the line has grown to include more than 10 different sizes and has inspired a number of different blend variants, including Mi Querida Green, Mi Querida Black and Mi Querida Triqui Traca.

The cigar is very dark and nicely made. It has a nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was a little firm but I decided to give it a try. I wound up using the PerfecDraw tool to open the 109 style cap. The initial flavors at light up were citrus peel, brown sugar, tanned leather, dark chocolate, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Dark start.

At the first third (37 minutes) I had light citrus peel and brown sugar, lots of dark chocolate, tanned leather, and light black coffee. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is dark chocolate and very good lingering black pepper. There are a lot of dark notes in this cigar. I rated the first third 92.

As I moved through the second third (1 hour 27 minutes) there are only hints of brown sugar and even less citrus peel notes. But there are heavy dark chocolate notes with a little leather and black coffee. The cigar is a low grade medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged. The cigar is getting darker. I rated the second third 90.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 58 minutes. There was a little increase in brown sugar with minor citrus notes. There are still heavy dark chocolate notes, light leather, and black coffee. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged. This cigar would be great, in my opinion, if it had more sweetness. I rated the final third 91.

Overall Score: 91

J.C. Newman Cigar Company restoring Ybor City's historic Sanchez y Haya hotel building

 

FOX 13's Evan Axelbank reports.

The Brief

The J.C. Newman Cigar Company cut the ribbon on the final stage of restoration for the historic Sanchez y Haya building.

The building will include a hotel and gift shop. It is expected to open in November 2026.

More than a century ago, the building served as a hotel for cigar workers who were visiting Tampa.

The backstory:

The historic Sanchez y Haya building took the next step on its way to fulfilling its historic mission.

Decades after it fell into disrepair, the J.C. Newman Cigar Company is leading its resurgence to reclaim its past.

What they're saying:

Christian Klein is the great-great-grandson of Serafin Sanchez, the man whose name adorns the front of the building, more than a century after it was built.

"This all had to be done by hand by a lot of people," Klein said during an interview on Tuesday. "A lot a love went into this building."

Serafin Sanchez was the namesake of the Sanchez y Haya real estate company.

They spearheaded the hotel in 1910, which was often used by workers at the cigar factory across the street.

"When I came by and saw it, and you actually see the name on the front marquee, that's important," Klein said.

 J.C. Newman Cigar Company owns the factory now.

The historic building has been stripped and steadied and also ridden of an infestation of bats. Now, it’s being retrofitted to be a hotel and cigar center.

"We realized that if we didn't try to go in and save it and restore it and preserve this piece of Tampa's history," J.C. Newman Cigar Company Owner Drew Newman said, "nobody else could or would."

J.C. Newman Cigar Company broke ground Tuesday on the final phase of the restoration, which will take another year.

Big picture view:

They'll leave behind the building's history of being a speakeasy, grocery store, bar, and site of too many robberies, shootings and drug deals to count.

It'll enter its relatively boring, but wholesome era.

"Our only goal for this project is to bring the Sanchez y Haya building back to life so that it looks, and it feels, and it smells just like it did when it opened 115 years ago," Newman said.

What's next:

After receiving $600,000 from Hillsborough County's preservation board, and $5 million from the Tampa CRA, the $18 million project was helped along with 1,400 bags of concrete.

"The fact that they're using it for what it was meant to be used for, I think that's why it's significant," Klein said.

The building will include a hotel and gift shop. It is expected to open in November 2026.

Cigars International Announces Grand Opening in Newport, Kentucky

Elevating the cigar, retail, and lounge experience in the greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region, Cigars International today announced the launch of its fourteenth superstore at Newport on the Levee, with a grand opening celebration to follow next month. The new location delivers a best-in-class destination for cigar aficionados and newcomers alike. Similar to its previous superstores, Cigars International’s Newport location will service cigar lovers with both retail and lifestyle experiences through onsite events, tastings, pairings, live music, and more.

The 5,700-square-foot space features a walk-in humidor housing hundreds of premium cigar brands, including samplers, boutique brands, exclusive selections, and limited-edition releases alongside accessories, including humidors, lighters, and cutters. The lounge area is outfitted with comfortable seating, soft lighting, and climate and air-ventilation systems tailored for cigar comfort. In addition, Cigars International Newport features a full-service bar offering craft spirits along with premium coffee and pairings, as well as an outdoor patio.

“We are thrilled to bring the Cigars International experience to Newport on the Levee,” says Scott Vasko, VP of Retail for Cigars International. “This store is not just about buying great cigars — it’s about community, relaxation, and creating memories. Our team has created a space where you can discover your next favorite cigar, unwind with friends, and enjoy the company of fellow cigar enthusiasts.”

The Cigars International Newport grand opening event will take place on Saturday, December 6, beginning at 9 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with local dignitaries. Afterwards the public is invited to explore the store, and the first 500 guests will receive a curated gift pack. Festivities will continue throughout the day with live music, special tastings, giveaways, and exclusive cigar discounts.

Cigars International Newport is located at One Levee Way, P-106, Newport, KY 41071.

Duran Cigars Unveils the Roberto Duran Reserva: A Landmark First Father–Son Collaboration for the Brand

Duran Cigars proudly announces the release of the Roberto Duran Reserva, a new super-premium line that marks the first blend ever created collaboratively by Roberto Pelayo Duran and his son, Roberto Pelayo Duran Jr.

Building on the heritage of the original Roberto P. Duran line, the new Reserva represents an elevated evolution of the brand’s blending philosophy—uniting Roberto Sr.’s decades of global tobacco expertise with Roberto Jr.’s modern palate and fresh perspective. The release arrives as Duran Cigars strengthens its return to the U.S. market through its new headquarters and retail space in Little Havana.

As the next chapter in the flagship Roberto P. Duran story, the Reserva reflects the family’s commitment to craftsmanship, vertical integration, and generational continuity. Each cigar is handcrafted at the Duran family’s boutique factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, known for small-batch attention and Cuban-inspired construction.

“This is the first cigar my father and I truly blended together,” said Roberto Duran Jr., Marketing & Sales Manager. “The Reserva reflects two generations — his deep knowledge and my modern vision of flavor. Creating this cigar with him is something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”

Blend Profile: Tradition Meets Progression

Developed jointly by father and son, the Roberto Duran Reserva features a refined, aromatic profile built on select aged tobaccos:

Wrapper: Habano Corojo, Fincas Azan – Ecuador, 2024 harvest

Binder: Besuki Indonesia

Filler: 3-year aged Jalapa Viso & Seco; Estelí, Nicaragua

The cigar delivers a medium-plus, flavor-forward experience with progressive development throughout the smoke. Rich notes of cedar, sweetness, cocoa, and coffee intertwine, resulting in a balanced, long-lasting finish.

The Reserva debuts in three formats, each highlighting the blend’s depth and evolution. MSRP includes per-cigar and per-box pricing:

Big Robusto — 5 x 54

$16 per cigar | $400 per box of 25

Toro Box Pressed — 6 x 54

$18 per cigar | $360 per box of 20

Double Corona — 7 x 52

$20 per cigar | $500 per box of 25

“These tobaccos represent some of the finest we’ve produced in recent years,” said Roberto Pelayo Duran, Founder & CEO. “Working on this blend with my son has been one of the most meaningful moments of my career. The Reserva shows who we are — our past, our present, and the future of Duran Cigars.”

The Roberto Duran Reserva will be released as a standalone nationwide launch, shipping directly from the company’s new Little Havana distribution center. This release underscores Duran Cigars’ renewed commitment to the U.S. market and celebrates a powerful milestone as father and son shape the next era of the brand together.

Alec Bradley Chunk Shade XL (4 x 60)

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by Alec Bradley)

Alec Bradley is introducing its newest cigar, Chunk Shade, the super-smooth sequel to the popular Chunk Maduro. Known for delivering short, stout smokes with big flavor, Alec Bradley’s latest addition brings a smoother, mellow-to-medium profile to the Chunk lineup — proving that chunky can be smooth too.

Chunk Shade is crafted in Honduras with a Honduran Connecticut wrapper, a U.S. Broadleaf binder, and a balanced filler blend of Dominican, Honduran, and Nicaraguan tobaccos. The result is a short and wide cigar that delivers layered notes of tea leaves, hay, and toast — all wrapped into a mellow, easygoing experience with massive smoke output.

“Chunk Shade is a fun and approachable cigar that rounds out the Chunk series in a big way,” said Bradley Rubin, brand ambassador for Alec Bradley. “Fans love the short, wide format of Maduro, and with Shade we’re giving them the same bold shape but with a smooth, mellow profile that’s perfect for relaxing any time.”

Chunk Shade is available in three stout vitolas:

XL (4 x 60) – SRP $5.99 per cigar REVIEWED TODAY

3XL (4 x 66) – SRP $7.69 per cigar

4XL (4 x 80) – SRP $8.49 per cigar

The XL and 3XL come in boxes of 20 while 4XL comes in a box of 18. The cigars are handcrafted in Danlí, Honduras at the HATSA factory.

The cigar is a light brown and has a nice feel in the hand for a short cigar.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were light citrus peel, brown sugar, a little cinnamon, light tanned leather, and earthy black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Pretty good start.

At the first third (16 minutes) I had more of a citrus note with a little underlying citrus peel, brown sugar, cinnamon, cream, and earthy black coffee. I don't notice leather on the front end but it's on the finish. The finish is leather and brown sugar with good lingering black pepper. The cigar is mild to medium bodied. The cigar is tasty. I rated the first third 93.

Moving through the second third (38 minutes) there was more black coffee. I had the same notes. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is unchanged except there is very good lingering black pepper. I rated the second third 92.

The cigar lasted 55 minutes. Nothing much changed in the final third. Same notes, same strength, same finish. This is a nice Connecticut with pretty good notes. It would make a good morning smoke. I held the score of 92. 

Overall Score: 92.33

Cohiba Rubicon Toro (6 x 54)

Video review HERE.

(Description provided by General Cigar)

Cohiba announces the release of Cohiba Rubicon, a full-time addition to its portfolio and a deliberate evolution of the brand’s renowned blending philosophy. Handcrafted at the respected HATSA factory in Danlí, Honduras, Rubicon reflects a meticulous commitment to complexity, balance and global sourcing.  

Rubicon is built from six distinct tobaccos sourced from five of the world’s most respected growing regions. The blend is crowned with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, laid over a U.S. Broadleaf binder and filled with a nuanced combination of Dominican Piloto, Honduran tobaccos from La Entrada and Jamastran, and Nicaraguan Estelí leaf. This composition results in a medium-bodied profile marked by depth, harmony and a refined flavor progression from start to finish. 

"Rubicon gave us the opportunity to offer a cigar without boundaries,” said Sean Williams, Cohiba Brand Ambassador. “The blend was thoughtfully created with intention. The result is a cigar that bridges tradition with a more modern expression of complexity. It rewards a practiced palate while remaining accessible to emerging enthusiasts.” 

Cohiba Rubicon ships to retailers in August 2025. Each box contains 20 cigars, available in three vitolas: 

Box-Pressed Robusto (5.5 x 55) | MSRP $8.49 

Toro (6 x 54) | MSRP $8.99 REVIEWED TODAY

Gigante (6 x 60) | MSRP $9.49

The cigar has a sharp box pressed and nice feel in the hand.

The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were apricot, brown sugar, light tanned leather, and black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Good start.

At the first third (27 minutes) I had the same notes. The apricot and brown sugar are nice. It's a good mix. The leather seems to have moved on but the black coffee is still there with some earthiness. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is apricot and earthiness with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is quite good. The best Cohiba I've had in quite a while. I rated the first third 94.

As I moved through the second third (52 minutes) I had the same notes but more black coffee. It has obviously increased. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is hints of apricot and black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is still good but the elevated black coffee caused the score of the second third to change to 93.

The cigar lasted 1 hour 20 minutes. The pattern continued with the earthy black coffee creeping up. The apricot and brown sugar notes are a little less. The cigar is now medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged. I rated the final third 92. This is the best Cohiba I've had in a long time and it's budget friendly. I call it a win. I could smoke more of these.

Overall Score: 93