Cohiba 55 Aniversario Limited Edition 2021 - 10 cigars

Cohiba 55 Aniversario Limited Edition 2021 - 10 cigars [5.88” x 57]

Commemorative release to celebrate the 55th anniversary

• • Offers a wide-ranging flavor profile, with typical Cuban flavors, showcasing an refined evolution from intense to subtly nuanced flavors
• • Its exceptional quality and finesse make it stand out as one of the finest cigars released by Habanos SA in recent years, with no discernible drawbacks and a perfect balance of strength and sweetness

With limited availability, seize the opportunity to secure this future classic before it's too late

Presentation:

The Cohiba 55 Aniversario Limited Edition 2021 comes in a varnished boîte nature box of 10 cigars. Habanos packing code BN-VW-n-10-n-10

Dimensions:

Length: 150 mm (4.88 inches)

Ring Gauge: 57

Shape: 

Robusto Extra

Appearance:

The vitola of the Cohiba 55 Aniversario, is called “Victoria”, boasts a substantial ring gauge of 57 and measures 5.88 inches in length. Rolled with a lustrous Colorado-Maduro-shaded wrapper, it exudes a silky smooth texture.

Aesthetically, it's truly remarkable. Its beauty is undeniable; the Maduro-colored wrapper strikes a perfect balance—not too dark, not too light. The cigars are adorned with a flawless triple cap and a pigtail.

Three bands adorn these cigars: the standard band E, a Limited Edition 2021 band, and a special Cohiba 55 Aniversario foot band—an unprecedented addition for a limited edition release. Remarkably compact, the cigar is densely packed with no soft spots or defects discernible to the touch.

Smoking Notes:

Before lighting up

Off the wrapper and off the foot, the aroma hints at leather with subtle undertones of barnyard. In the cold draw, familiar Cuban fragrances of earth and leather emerge, perhaps accompanied by hints of chocolate or caramel, along with notes of red fruits and predominantly white pepper spice. It's an appealing profile. Upon the initial puffs, a vegetal essence intertwines with intense spiciness, characterized by a blend of white pepper and chili.

Burn/ Draw

The draw is impeccably balanced, neither overly loose nor too tight, achieving a level of perfection. Upon drawing, a symphony of aromas unfolds: notes of leather reminiscent of the barnyard, earthy tones akin to undergrowth or humus, and even subtle hints of fungi. There's just a whisper of spice, scarcely even peppery.

Initial third:

The cigar unfolds with a sweetness reminiscent of the chocolate-caramel notes detected in the cold draw, rather than the leather. It presents a delicate balance between raisin-like sweetness and hints of hazelnut, with a nutty-fruity essence. This initial impression sets it apart from both a Cohiba Siglo VI and a Cohiba Robusto.

Remarkably sweet, it lacks any aggression or bitterness, displaying a refined roundness and richness that leave one in awe. The smoke is abundant, both in the air and on the palate, necessitating a slow enjoyment to savor its full flavor spectrum.

As the smoking experience progresses, leather and earthy undercurrents emerge, accompanied by a subtle metallic undertone, adding a pleasant complexity reminiscent of other Cohiba cigars. The first third introduces nutty and cappuccino nuances intertwined with white pepper and leather.

A harmonious blend of earthiness and fruity-nuttiness prevails, maintaining a delicate balance and coating the palate with a smooth smoke. Although not overpowering, there's a subtle increase in strength, accompanied by a gradual transition from fresh grass to peppery notes.

Initially, the burn may falter slightly, but the draw remains consistent. The ash, however, holds impressively. The strength of the cigar sits slightly above medium, offering a satisfying smoking experience.

Middle third:

During the middle third, the Cohiba 55 Aniversario maintains its peppery profile with subtle hints of spices lingering in the background, predominantly showcasing leather and pepper flavors. While the intensity gradually increases, it remains pleasantly balanced and refreshing on the palate, never drying it out. As the second third approaches, it's time to remove the bands, particularly the Limited Edition ring followed by the Cohiba band, although the ash still holds steadfastly.

Overall, it's a highly enjoyable cigar, particularly in terms of taste, as its flavor profile evolves splendidly. In the latter half, a characteristic saltiness, often found in Cohibas, adds to the complexity, providing a well-rounded experience. Earthy leather notes resurface intermittently, enhancing the depth of flavor.

The spices persist, keeping the intensity elevated, with alternating bursts of white pepper and chili. Nutty undertones now intertwine with roasted aromas, while retrohaling reveals subtle vegetal notes. A slight sweetness accompanies hints of acidity, and the strength remains consistent.

As the cigar nears the end of the third, the ash finally falls off, marking a satisfying conclusion to the smoking experience.

Final third:

Entering the final third, the dominant flavors remain pepper, musk, and leather, accompanied by a noticeable increase in strength. The pepper and leather persist, rendering the cigar notably more powerful on the palate.

While the nutty fruitiness diminishes, it is replaced by a welcomed saltiness, adding to the cigar's complexity. However, the burn leaves something to be desired, requiring a retouch after the ash falls off. Nonetheless, the ash held impressively throughout the initial stages.

In the final stretch, white pepper and leather notes continue to prevail, albeit with a reduced nuttiness. Roasted coffee undertones emerge in the finish, and the strength escalates to a medium-full level, with spicy aromas lingering until the end.

Summary:

In summary, the Cohiba 55 Aniversario Edición Limitada 2021 offers a wide-ranging flavor profile, albeit with a subtle evolution. While it currently exhibits intensity, it may benefit from further aging to fully mature.

Undoubtedly, it stands out as an exceptional cigar, possibly one of the finest we have seen in recent years from Habanos SA. The graceful evolution, culminating in a satisfying power, is complemented by its finesse. Notably, there are no discernible negatives, only positives—both in terms of strength and sweetness. The interplay of leather and pepper aromas contributes to its overall completeness, leaving a lasting impression on my palate.

As for pairings, champagne immediately comes to mind, particularly a grand cuvée from Krug, which would enhance the cigar's nuances splendidly.

In essence, this is an excellent Cohiba, encompassing the quintessential Cohiba flavors while introducing an intriguing sweetness—a departure that I thoroughly enjoyed. It's a standout cigar, worthy of praise

Smoking time:

45 minutes – 1 hour