UK Cigar Scene Magazine December Issue 12 | Page 14

The Birth and the Birthdays of Cohiba
Almost all smokers of Cuban cigars have heard
the frequently repeated story of the origin of
the Cohiba. How in 1963 a cigar that Eduardo
Ribera was rolling for himself was offered to Fidel
Castro by one of his body guards and quickly
became his favourite smoke. A small production
of these cigars was created for Fidel, Ché and
other top government officials. This production
was kept under tight security. Considering the
CIA reportedly tried to assassinate Fidel through
poisoned cigars the secrecy is not suprising.
To make a long story short in 1966 the small
production of these cigars was moved to the new
factory called El Laguito and officially named
Cohiba (from the Taino word for tobacco). From
1966 to 1969 it was used for the smoking pleasure
of a select few and as a diplomatic gift.

and probably disappeared before the revolution.
Regardless this is the acknowledged beginning of
the brand we know today as Cohiba and 1966 is
celebrated as its year of birth.

As Fidel’s personal smoke, it was a gift of the
highest magnitude. If you were on the receiving
end of a gift from the Cuban government you
could have expected a box of these. If you were a
visiting head of state you may have been fortunate
enough to receive a bohio humidor filled with this
lancero sized cigar. In 1969 it was introduced to the
market and large volume export began in 1982.

The first time Habanos S.A. created a piece to
specifically mark the anniversary of Cohiba was
1996. It was the 30th Anniversary of the brand
deemed to be the best of the best. The 30th
Anniversary humidor was unveiled in Havana
containing 50 double robustos with a pig tail.
This special vitola was delivered in 45 numbered
humidors and is now considered the rarest of the
rare. For those of more mortal budgets Habanos
also offered a ceramic jar in an edition of 1000.
These jars contained 25 Siglo V cigars bearing the
same special band as the more exclusive humidor.

If there was a cigar named Cohiba previous to the
revolution remains a topic of great dispute. To me
there is no doubt as I have a band in my collection.
It was a brand produced by a small manufacturer
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Today Cohiba is still used as an official
government gift. Special boxes of 25 lanceros using
graphics reminiscent of early Cohiba graphics are
used as official gifts. These boxes are not limited in
production and, contrary to the belief of many, the
cigars are the same cigars as produced for general
release.
It is only fitting that the cigar first presented in
an elaborate and desired humidor uses the same
concept to celebrate milestone anniversaries.
These humidors have become highly desired
pieces in the world of cigar collecting.