Ceramic Jar Cohiba Piramides EXTRA

Description

If you want to understand why Cohiba sits at the top of the Habanos hierarchy, you have to spend an evening with the Piramides Extra. This is not a smoke you rush through during a quick break. It is a big, commanding torpedo that demands your full attention for nearly two hours. The presentation in the ceramic jar makes it a centerpiece for any collection, but the cigar itself delivers a level of smoothness that is hard to find elsewhere. I find it smokes cooler than the Robustos, allowing you to really pick apart the flavors without your palate getting fatigued.

The Smoking Experience

First Third: The cold draw gives you a preview of honey and soft leather before you even strike a match. Once you get that tapered foot toasted and lit, the first thing you notice is the smoke volume. It pours out thick and creamy. You get that classic grassy note that Cohiba is famous for, but here it tastes more like fresh vanilla bean and light cream. There is zero harshness. It starts mild, teasing you with a bit of floral sweetness that hangs in the air. The draw on these figurados is usually spot-on, offering just enough resistance to keep the burn cool.

Mid-Section: As the burn line moves past the first inch, the profile shifts gears. The grassy sweetness recedes, and you start tasting real tobacco richness. I picked up distinct notes of roasted chestnuts and almond paste mixing with a savory, salty quality often called the Cuban twang. It becomes earthier here. A milk chocolate flavor develops in the center, coating the tongue. The strength moves to a solid medium, but the body feels lighter than you might expect for a cigar of this size. It is incredibly balanced, letting you taste the cinnamon and dried apricot notes without searching too hard.

Final Third: The last third is where the Piramides Extra shows its pedigree. The flavors condense and darken. You lose the floral notes, replaced by damp oak, heavy earth, and a kick of black pepper. It gets spicy but stays smooth. The chocolate turns into bitter cocoa or espresso bean. Even as the heat rises near the nub, the smoke remains velvety. It leaves a long, savory aftertaste that reminds me of salted meat and leather. You will want to smoke this until it burns your fingers.

Flavor Profile

The Story Behind Cohiba

Cohiba started out in 1966 strictly as a diplomatic gift for heads of state, kept secret from the public market for years. It was not until 1982 that Habanos S.A. finally released them commercially to the rest of the world. The Piramides Extra holds a special spot as the only regular production torpedo shape in the Linea Clasica, using the absolute best leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region. These leaves undergo a third fermentation in wooden barrels, a process unique to the brand that removes impurities and refines the flavor.

Perfect Pairings

• Rum: Flor de Caña 18 – The dry, oaky profile of this Nicaraguan rum cuts through the creamy texture of the cigar, cleaning your palate between puffs.
• Whiskey: Glenfiddich 21 – The rum cask finish on this scotch grabs onto the vanilla and honey