Description
When Cohiba Pulls Out All the Stops
There are regular production cigars, and then there are those special releases that make collectors set alarms on their phones. The Cohiba Double Corona Edicion Limitada 2003 falls squarely in the latter category. I remember when these first appeared – my buddy at the cigar club dropped nearly a grand on a box sight unseen, which seemed insane at the time. Twenty years later? That crazy decision doesn’t look so crazy anymore. This isn’t just another big ring gauge Cuban cigar. This is what happens when the most prestigious brand in the Cuban cigar portfolio decides to show off with one of the most traditional vitolas in existence. The Double Corona format paired with Cohiba’s signature tobacco, aged to perfection and dressed in those dark, oily wrappers that scream “Edicion Limitada” from across the room. If you’re wondering whether these legendary limited editions live up to the hype, well – stick around.
What Makes This One Special
Cohiba doesn’t mess around with their limited editions. Actually, scratch that – they didn’t start doing Edicion Limitadas until 2000, which makes this 2003 release part of the early wave when the concept was still fresh. The brand itself dates back to 1966, originally created exclusively for Fidel Castro and Cuban government officials. Not exactly the kind of origin story you get with your average smoke.
The Double Corona vitola is old-school elegant – none of this modern chunky ring gauge business. We’re talking about a classic format that’s been around since before most of us were born. When Cohiba chose this size for their 2003 limited edition, they were making a statement about tradition and craftsmanship. The tobacco comes from the Vuelta Abajo region, which if you know Cuban cigars at all, you know is the premium growing zone. But Cohiba takes it further – they use the medio tiempo leaves, the two small leaves from the very top of the tobacco plant that get the most sun. These leaves add complexity and strength that you just don’t find in regular production smokes.
Who should smoke this? Anyone who’s moved beyond the “trying Cuban cigars for the first time” phase. This is a cigar for when you’ve got two hours to kill and you want to pay attention. It’s for collectors who appreciate what limited editions represented in the early 2000s, before the market got flooded with special releases every year. And honestly? It’s for people who want to experience what Cohiba Cuban cigars are capable of when they’re firing on all cylinders.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Double Corona |
| Length | 7.6 inches / 194 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 49 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban long filler blend |
| Strength | Medium to Full |
| Smoking Time | 120-150 minutes |
The Experience: From First Light to Final Puff
Right out of the gate, the cold draw on these – assuming you’ve got properly aged stock – gives you dark chocolate and espresso. Not subtle hints, either. I’m talking full-on coffee shop aromatics. The wrapper on Edicion Limitada releases has this characteristic dark, almost dirty appearance that comes from the extra fermentation process they use. Some people call it ugly. I call it character.
First third hits you harder than you might expect from a cigar with this much age on it. There’s leather and earth right up front, with that signature Cohiba creaminess underneath. The retrohale – and you absolutely should retrohale this cigar – brings out white pepper and more of that espresso note. Construction on mine has been flawless, but I’ve heard stories. Cuban quality control in 2003 was… let’s say “variable.” The burn line stays pretty straight without much correction needed, and the draw is just right – firm enough to make you work for it, but not so tight you’re turning purple.
The middle section is where things get interesting. Around the 45-minute mark, assuming you’re not puffing like a freight train, the flavors start to layer up. You get cedar joining the party – that classic aged Cuban tobacco woodiness. There’s also this nutty quality that I can’t quite pin down. Almonds, maybe? Hazelnuts? Something in that family. The strength builds gradually, never hitting you over the head but definitely making its presence known. The ashes hold for about an inch before dropping, solid and light gray. That’s good tobacco right there.
Final third brings everything together. The spice kicks up a notch – not overwhelming, just more present. The creaminess that was lurking in the background comes forward again, balancing out the earth and leather. Some cigars fall apart in the last third, getting harsh or bitter. Not this one. It maintains composure all the way down to the nub. I’ve smoked these down until my fingers got warm, and the flavor stays complex and interesting. The smoke output is generous throughout – thick, chewy clouds that fill the room. Your spouse might complain. No promises there.
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cohiba Double Corona LE 2003 | Medium-Full | 120-150 min | Special occasions, serious contemplation |
| Montecristo A | Medium | 90-120 min | Long smokes without overwhelming strength |
| Partagas Lusitania | Full | 90-120 min | When you want power in a large vitola |
What to Pair It With
I’ve tried this cigar with everything from beer to single malt, and here’s what actually works. Coffee – specifically a strong Cuban espresso or a French press – is phenomenal with the first third. The dark roast notes mirror what’s happening in the cigar without fighting it. If you’re going the alcohol route, think rich and complex. A good Añejo rum like Havana Club 7 Year is traditional for a reason. The sweetness plays nicely against the earthy tobacco without overwhelming it.
For whisky drinkers – and I know you’re out there – skip the heavily peated Scotches. They’ll bulldoze right over the cigar’s subtleties. Instead, go for something like a Glenfiddich 18 or even a smoother bourbon. I’ve had great experiences pairing this with Eagle Rare. The vanilla and caramel notes complement rather than compete. And if you’re feeling fancy, a cognac works beautifully. VSOP minimum though – don’t cheap out if you’re smoking a cigar this special.
Timing-wise, this is an after-dinner smoke. Actually, it’s an “I’ve got the whole evening clear” smoke. Don’t light this up at 9 PM if you need to be sharp for a morning meeting. Save it for weekends, holidays, or those rare occasions when time doesn’t matter. Late afternoon into evening is my sweet spot – around 4 or 5 PM when you can watch the sunset and not worry about rushing.
How should I store a Cohiba Double Corona LE 2003?
Keep it at 65-68% humidity and around 65-70°F. These cigars have already seen two decades of aging, so they’re past the volatile stage, but you still want stable conditions. I’d avoid putting them in the same humidor section as freshly rolled cigars – the aging profile is totally different. Some collectors even drop the humidity to 62-63% for cigars this old, which I’ve experimented with and honestly prefer.
Are these cigars still smokable after 20 years?
Smokable? They’re better now than they were fresh. Premium Cuban tobacco peaks somewhere between 10-25 years with proper storage. The Edicion Limitada treatment these got – that extra aging before release – means they hit the market already ahead of the curve. I’ve smoked examples from 2003 recently that were absolutely singing. Just make sure whoever sold them to you stored them properly, because if they weren’t, well, that’s a different story.
What makes Edicion Limitada cigars different from regular production?
Three things, really. First, they use darker wrapper leaves that get additional fermentation – that’s where the characteristic dark, oily appearance comes from. Second, the tobacco is aged longer before rolling. Regular production might use tobacco aged 2-3 years; Edicion Limitada uses tobacco aged closer to 5 years or more. Third, they’re only made once. When the 2003 production sold out, that was it. No more. Ever. Creates a certain urgency in the market, if you know what I mean.
How does this compare to regular production Cohiba cigars?
More intense across the board. Regular production Cohibas – your Robustos, your Lanceros – are elegant and refined. This Double Corona LE has that same DNA but turned up. Richer flavors, darker wrapper, more complexity. Some people actually prefer regular production because it’s more balanced and predictable. The limited editions are for when you want Cohiba showing off, not playing it safe. Both have their place in a collection, but they’re definitely different experiences.
Can I smoke this cigar right away or does it need more aging?
At twenty-plus years old? Smoke away. These are in their prime window right now. That said, if you want to hold them another 5-10 years, they’ll probably still be excellent – Cuban cigars age gracefully when stored properly. But the idea that you need to add more time before smoking is silly at this point. They’ve been resting longer than some cigar smokers have been alive. Light it up and enjoy what two decades of patience tastes like.
Why are the wrappers on Edicion Limitada cigars so dark?
That’s intentional, part of the Edicion Limitada specification. The wrapper leaves go through an extra barrel fermentation process that darkens them and intensifies the flavors. It’s not just cosmetic – that additional fermentation actually changes the chemical composition of the tobacco, breaking down more of the ammonia and harsh elements while concentrating the oils. Results in that characteristic oily, almost dirty appearance that makes these limited editions instantly recognizable in a lineup. Some batches come out darker than others, but they all share that rich, dark wrapper aesthetic.
What’s the best way to cut and light a Double Corona?
Straight cut is my go-to for any vitola this size. A V-cut can work but tends to concentrate the draw too much on a cigar with this much length. Use a sharp cutter – dull blades will tear the wrapper, and with a wrapper this delicate and aged, you can’t afford that. For lighting, take your time. Toast the foot evenly, rotating slowly, then bring it up to full flame. Don’t scorch it with a torch held too close. These cigars have decades invested in them; spend an extra thirty seconds getting the light right. It matters more than people think.
Final Thoughts
The Cohiba Double Corona Edicion Limitada 2003 represents Cuban cigar craftsmanship at a specific moment in time – before the boom, before the market got saturated with annual limited releases, when an Edicion Limitada actually meant something rare and special. Twenty years of aging has turned these into something genuinely exceptional. Yeah, they’re getting harder to find, and when you do find them, they’re not cheap. But if you’re building a collection of Cuban cigars that actually matter, that represent something beyond just another smoke, this one deserves consideration.
This isn’t an everyday cigar. It’s the one you save for when you want to remember why you fell in love with premium tobacco in the first place. Add one to your collection while they’re still available, stash it properly, and when the right moment comes – you’ll know it when it does – light it up and give yourself those two hours. You won’t regret it.
