Cohiba Siglo Vl (Tubos) Box of 15 Luxury

Description

The neon in Miami has a way of making everything look like a movie set, even when the script is falling apart. I was sitting at a corner table in a lounge off Calle Ocho, the kind of place where the humidity clings to your skin like a damp wool blanket. It was my anniversary. Not the kind you celebrate with champagne and jewelry, but the kind you mark with a heavy heart—three years since the business I’d spent a decade building finally shuttered its doors. It was bittersweet. I had my freedom, sure, but I missed the noise. I needed something to ground me, something that felt like a win even if the ledger said otherwise.

Product Specifications

I reached into my breast pocket and pulled out that distinctive yellow-and-black aluminum tube. You know the one. It looks like a piece of high-end lipstick, but it carries a lot more weight than that. I’d been saving this specific stick for a moment that required a bit of gravity. I unscrewed the cap, and that faint, unmistakable scent of aged Cuban tobacco drifted out, cutting through the salt air and the smell of roasting Cuban coffee from the street. I didn’t need a party. I just needed this moment.

The Transition: The Cohiba Siglo VI Tubos

That smoke? The Cohiba Siglo VI. Specifically, the one from the “Luxury” box of 15 Tubos. In the world of Habanos, this is the heavy hitter of the Línea 1492. It’s not just a cigar; it’s a statement. When you pull a Siglo VI out of its protective shell, you’re looking at years of history and a fermentation process that most other brands wouldn’t even dream of attempting. It’s the kind of cigar that makes you sit up a little straighter in your leather chair.

Construction: The El Laguito Touch

I gotta say, holding a Siglo VI feels different. It’s got a heft to it that feels intentional. This particular vitola, the Cañonazo, was actually created specifically for this cigar back in 2002. It’s a 52 ring gauge, which is thick enough to feel substantial in your hand without feeling like you’re chomping on a broomstick. The wrapper is what they call the “selection of the selection.” They take the best leaves from the five finest plantations in the Vuelta Abajo region, and then they pick the best of those. It’s smooth, almost oily to the touch, and the seams are nearly invisible.

Before I even brought a flame to it, I took a pre-light draw. It’s easy, just the right amount of resistance—like sipping a thick milkshake through a straw. I got notes of dried hay and a faint, honey-like sweetness. The construction is handled at the El Laguito factory, which is basically the inner sanctum of Cuban cigar making. This is where they used to roll cigars exclusively for Fidel Castro and high-ranking officials before the brand went public in ’82. You can tell the rollers there take their time. There were no soft spots, no lumps, just a perfectly uniform cylinder of top-tier tobacco.

One thing that sets Cohiba apart—and you can really feel it in the Siglo VI—is the third fermentation. They take the seco and ligero leaves and give them an extra round of fermentation in wooden barrels. It’s a slow process, but it knocks off the rough edges and adds a level of creaminess that’s hard to find anywhere else. It’s not about strength; it’s about sophistication.

Flavor Profile: A Three-Act Play

The First Third: The Honeyed Wake-Up Call

Once I toasted the foot and got it going, the first few puffs were like a warm embrace. It starts out with this incredible creaminess—think buttered toast with a drizzle of honey. There’s a bit of vanilla in there too, soft and inviting. It’s medium-bodied at this point, not trying to overwhelm you, just introducing itself. I noticed a faint hint of cedar and a very light white pepper on the retrohale. It’s a clean start, very polished. You ever have a smoke that feels “expensive” from the first puff? This is it.

The Second Third: The Heart of the Matter

As I moved into the second third, the flavors started to deepen. The honey and vanilla stayed in the background, but the profile shifted toward something more savory. I started picking up aged leather and a rich, dark cocoa. The espresso notes began to peek through, especially toward the halfway mark. This is where that triple fermentation really shines. Even as the body moved closer to the “full” side of medium-full, it stayed incredibly smooth. There’s a brown sugar sweetness that balances out the earthy tones of the Vuelta Abajo tobacco. I also caught a fleeting note of dried berries—just a little tartness to keep things interesting. It’s complex, changing every few minutes like a good conversation.

The Final Third: The Spicy Farewell

Coming into the home stretch, the Siglo VI really finds its muscles. The spice picks up—not a harsh burn, but a warm, lingering pepper that sits on the back of the tongue. The cocoa turns into a darker, more bitter chocolate, and the cedar becomes more pronounced. It’s a rich, nutty finish that stays with you. I smoked this thing down until my fingers were getting warm, and it never got bitter. That’s the hallmark of a well-aged Cuban. If you’re smoking a younger one, you might get a bit of that tannic “green” taste, but with five or more years on it, it’s pure silk.

Pairing: Finding the Right Partner

In that Miami lounge, I went with a glass of aged Cuban rum—straight, no ice. The molasses sweetness of the rum played perfectly with the cocoa and leather notes of the cigar. If you’re not a rum person, a high-rye bourbon would do the trick, providing a spicy counterpoint to the creaminess of the Siglo VI. And honestly? If you’re feeling fancy, a vintage Champagne is a solid choice. The bubbles cut through the richness of the smoke and highlight those honey and vanilla notes in the first third. It’s a versatile stick, but it deserves something with a bit of age on it.

The Verdict

So, is the Cohiba Siglo VI worth the hunt and the price tag? I’m gonna be honest with you: it’s a commitment. These things aren’t always easy to find, and when you do, they aren’t cheap. But there’s a reason people go crazy for them. It’s the consistency of the experience. From the moment you pop that yellow tube to the final spicy puff, you’re dealing with a product that has been handled with an obsession for detail.

For me, sitting there in Miami, watching the ceiling fan spin and reflecting on a chapter of my life that was closing, the Siglo VI was exactly what I needed. It didn’t rush me. It lasted a solid hour and fifteen minutes, giving me plenty of time to think. It’s a sophisticated, evolving smoke that rewards your patience. If you’re looking for a “special occasion” cigar—or if you just need to turn a bittersweet anniversary into something a little more sweet than bitter—this is the one. It’s a heavy hitter, a classic, and in my book, it’s absolutely solid.

Final Thought: If you can get your hands on a box of 15 Tubos, do it. The tubes keep them protected if you’re traveling, and they seem to help the aging process by trapping those oils just a little bit better. Just make sure you’ve got a comfortable chair and nowhere to be. You’re going to want to savor every inch of this Cañonazo.