2010/02 – Gran Cohiba Birthday

17 Feb

Christph, Gottfried & 2003 Siglo VI’s, Andreas & Nino with Cohiba Gran Reserva 2003

2003 Siglo VI’s & 2003 CGR’s

16 February 2010

I like the Cohiba Gran Reserva 2003 (CGR).

It is not just a very photogenic and beautiful cigar box to look at, I also believe they should be smoked.

Preferably with good friends. Even without the add-on occasion of today being my birthday.

I have liked this cigar since it was introduced in HAV last year when I was lucky enough to receive 2 small coffins at the gala dinner.

The price issue is a different matter.

As this is a 2003 CGR we thought it would be interesting to compare it to a 2003 Siglo VI, same Cañonazo vitola, same vintage, same brand.

Fortunately Gottfried still had an intact 2003 Siglo VI box, coded LLN JUN 2003 and I had a CGR box and what better occasion for a dinner at Massimo’s than my birthday to find out about the differences (if any) between these two cigars.

Especially since I will be leaving for the XII Festival in Havana this Sunday and will taste the new Cohiba Behike line being introduced there.

The “usual suspects” gathered at Massimo’s, happy to thus avoid the carnival madness of Mardi Gras.

We started with a small cigar while we waited for the appetizer and everybody had fun on me for turning into an 57-year old fart but giving me nice presents as a consolation prize.

After the first course we decided to start the tasting with the Siglo VI. This is the consensus of us all :

Very good cold draw.

First draw : Not Cohiba-like.

Then she came came alive – fast.

Creamy, full, intense. Overpowering tobacco.

Slightly woody.

Not typical Cohiba during the smoke.

Reminded many of us of a H.Upmann.

Too overpowering, strong tobacco taste that “buried” all aromas.

Not impressive.

We enjoyed the main course, Filet al vino rosso and it was time to taste the Gran Reserva.

Here the group consensus :

Cold draw already more “refined”, complex.

Cohiba taste from the start.

Different league, completely different (better/higher) class.

Aromatic, multifaceted, the Siglo VI was too strong, it covered all aromas.

Hands down the winner.

Linear, smooth, round, creamy, excellent smoke, no distinct changes in thirds.

Tastes “completed/finished” – will there be any climax left in 5-10 years ?

While we judged it excellent, we wondered whether the mark-up in price was worth the experience, but that is a very philosophical question left to you and your wallet.

We all enjoyed the Gran Reserva and were happy to have it as second cigar – the pleasure of smoking it was very distinct indeed.

Nino