Description
Why the Cohiba Exquisitos Deserves More Attention Than It Gets
Look, I need to get something off my chest right away. The Cohiba Exquisitos is probably the most overlooked cigar in the entire Cohiba lineup. Everyone’s chasing Behikes and Esplendidos – which, don’t get me wrong, are fantastic – but they’re sleeping on this little powerhouse. I picked up my first Exquisitos back in 2007 at a lounge in Tampa, and the guy behind the counter basically said, “Trust me on this one.” Best cigar advice I ever got.
Here’s the thing – when most people think Cohiba, they picture themselves settling in for a 90-minute session with some massive Churchill. But what if you’ve only got 30 minutes? What if you want that unmistakable Cohiba character without blocking off your entire afternoon? That’s exactly where the Exquisitos comes in. This petite robusto packs the full Cohiba experience into a compact format that’s perfect for a morning coffee break or that window between dinner and wherever you need to be next.
What Makes the Cohiba Exquisitos Special (And Why I Keep Coming Back)
Thing is, Cohiba didn’t become Cuba’s flagship brand by accident. These are the cigars that were originally created for Fidel Castro himself back in 1966. The Exquisitos came along later – it was officially added to the regular Cohiba line in 1989, though I’ve heard stories about prototypes floating around Havana years before that. Maybe true, maybe not. Doesn’t really matter.
What does matter is the tobacco. Every Cohiba gets leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region – that’s the primo stuff, the San Cristóbal and San Juan y Martínez zones specifically. But here’s where it gets interesting: Cohiba uses two of the three filler leaves that undergo an extra fermentation process. This is what gives Cohibas that distinctive smoothness and complexity you can’t find anywhere else. It’s not marketing fluff – you can actually taste the difference.
The Exquisitos uses the same blend philosophy as its bigger siblings. You’re getting that signature Cohiba profile – creamy, sophisticated, with this elegant restraint that reminds you Cuban cigars don’t need to punch you in the face to make an impression. I’ll be honest: this is a cigar for someone who already appreciates what Habanos brings to the table. If you’re new to Cubans, maybe start here rather than dropping serious cash on a limited edition lancero you might not fully appreciate yet. Actually, scratch that – start with whatever speaks to you. I’m not your dad.
Specifications and Technical Details
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Perla (Exquisitos) |
| Length | 5 inches / 127 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 36 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban blend (Vuelta Abajo, with double fermentation) |
| Strength | Medium to Medium-Full |
| Smoking Time | 25-35 minutes |
The 36 ring gauge might scare some people off. I get it – we live in an era where everyone’s smoking 60-ring monsters. But hear me out: the thinner ring gauge actually works in this cigar’s favor. You get more wrapper-to-filler ratio, which means that beautiful Cohiba wrapper really shines through in the flavor profile. Plus, it concentrates the smoke in a way that brings out subtleties you’d miss in a fatter vitola.
The Smoking Experience – Third by Third Breakdown
Okay, so let me walk you through what actually happens when you light one of these up. And I know this sounds dramatic, but the cold draw alone tells you this isn’t going to be an ordinary smoke. You get these hints of cocoa and aged cedar – that classic Cuban aroma that immediately reminds you why people obsess over Habanos.
The first third starts with a beautiful creaminess. No joke, it’s like the tobacco equivalent of good espresso with just a touch of cream. There’s this underlying sweetness – not sugar sweet, more like raw honey or maybe light caramel – balanced with a gentle leather note. The wrapper brings this subtle spicy kick that tingles on your palate without overwhelming anything. The draw is typically spot-on, though I’ve had the occasional one that needed a little help. Cuban quality control being what it is. The ash forms tight and holds for about an inch before dropping, which tells you the construction is solid.
Second third is where things get interesting – and this is where the Exquisitos really separates itself from cheaper smokes. The cream notes evolve into this rich coffee character. I’m talking freshly ground beans, not your gas station brew. The cocoa deepens, almost taking on this dark chocolate quality. Meanwhile, you get these waves of cedar and leather that come and go. Some puffs emphasize one, some the other. It keeps you engaged. The spicy element from the wrapper becomes more pronounced here too – nothing harsh, just this pleasant peppery tingle on the retrohale. Speaking of which, if you’re not retrohaling this cigar, you’re missing half the experience. Just saying.
The final third – oh man, the final third. This is where medium-strength cigars sometimes fall apart or get boring. Not the Exquisitos. It builds in intensity without crossing into harsh territory. The leather notes really come forward now, mixing with that coffee-cocoa base you’ve had throughout. There’s this toasted quality that emerges, almost nutty. And right at the end – maybe the last half inch – you get this beautiful smooth finish that’s just slightly sweet. The smoke stays cool if you pace yourself properly, and I’ve smoked these down to the nub more times than I can count because I didn’t want them to end.
Construction-wise, the burn is usually pretty straight. Cuban cigars can sometimes get wonky with their burn lines – it’s just the nature of Cuban tobacco and rolling – but the Exquisitos tends to behave itself. The ash is light gray with some flaking, nothing to write home about but perfectly respectable. And that oily wrapper catches the light beautifully, especially if you’ve got a well-aged one with a few years on it.
How Does It Stack Up? A Practical Comparison
| Cigar | Length × RG | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cohiba Exquisitos | 5″ × 36 | Medium to Medium-Full | 25-35 min | Short sophisticated smoke with full Cohiba character |
| Montecristo No. 5 | 4″ × 40 | Medium | 20-30 min | Quick morning smoke, slightly milder and earthier |
| Partagás Short | 4.3″ × 42 | Medium-Full | 25-35 min | Bolder, spicier alternative with more punch |
| Romeo y Julieta Petit Coronas | 5.1″ × 42 | Medium | 30-40 min | Classic profile, more accessible but less complex |
Between you and me, if you’re choosing between the Exquisitos and a Montecristo No. 5, go with the Cohiba if you want elegance and the Monte if you want that classic Cuban earthiness. The Partagás Short is for when you want your cigar to grab you by the collar and announce itself – it’s got more oomph but less refinement. The Romeo is perfectly fine, don’t get me wrong, but it’s playing it safe. The Exquisitos takes more risks and delivers more rewards. I’m probably biased here, but that’s how I see it.
What to Pair With Your Cohiba Exquisitos
Real talk: this cigar deserves good coffee. Not just any coffee – I’m talking about a proper espresso or a well-made cortado. That coffee-cocoa profile in the Exquisitos just sings alongside espresso. I’ve tried it with everything from Illy to locally roasted single-origin stuff, and it works every time.
If you’re drinking spirits, aged rum is your friend here. A Havana Club 7 year or something like Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva picks up on those sweet, smooth notes beautifully. Scotch works too – go with something in the Speyside range, nothing too heavily peated. A Glenfiddich 15 or Balvenie DoubleWood complements rather than competes. I’ve also had great experiences with tawny port, especially a 20-year aged one. The sweetness and complexity match the cigar’s character perfectly.
Timing-wise, this is my go-to morning cigar. Yeah, I know some people think that’s weird – smoking in the morning – but with coffee on a Saturday when you’ve got nowhere to be? Perfect. It also works beautifully after lunch or as an early evening smoke. It’s refined enough that you could smoke it before dinner without killing your palate. Late night feels wrong for this one though – save your fuller Cohibas for that.
Everything You’re Probably Wondering About
How does the Cohiba Exquisitos compare in strength to other Cohiba vitolas?
The Exquisitos sits right in the middle of the Cohiba strength spectrum – medium to medium-full. It’s noticeably fuller than a Cohiba Siglo I or II, but nowhere near as intense as a Cohiba Robusto or Esplendido. The smaller ring gauge actually concentrates the flavors a bit, so you get more impact than you might expect from a “medium” cigar. If you find the larger Cohibas too time-consuming but still want that signature profile with some body to it, this is your sweet spot.
Should I age Cohiba Exquisitos, or are they ready to smoke fresh?
Look, this is where opinions get strong. Fresh Exquisitos (under a year old) are perfectly smokable – you’ll get bright, vibrant flavors with more of that spicy kick up front. But here’s the thing: give them 2-5 years and they transform into something genuinely special. The harsh edges smooth out completely, the cocoa and coffee notes deepen, and you get this incredible creamy complexity. I’ve smoked 10-year-old Exquisitos that made me understand why people get obsessed with aging Cubans. If you can resist the temptation, let them rest. If not, they’re still excellent fresh – just different.
Why is the ring gauge so thin at 36? Does that affect the smoking experience?
The 36 ring gauge is actually a feature, not a bug. Thinner ring gauges give you a higher wrapper-to-filler ratio, which means that beautiful Cohiba wrapper – which undergoes special processing and selection – plays a bigger role in what you’re tasting. You get more complexity and nuance than you would with a fat cigar using the same tobacco. The tradeoff is that thin cigars can sometimes burn hot if you puff too aggressively, and the draw can occasionally be tight. Pace yourself, and you’ll be rewarded with concentrated, refined flavors that showcase what Cuban tobacco is really about.
What’s the best way to store Cohiba Exquisitos in my humidor?
Keep them at 65-68% humidity and around 65-70°F, same as most Cubans. The thinner ring gauge means they’re a bit more susceptible to humidity swings than fat cigars – they’ll dry out faster if your humidor drops too low, and they’ll get spongy quicker if humidity spikes. I actually keep mine in a separate section of my humidor with Boveda 65% packs because I like the slightly drier character it brings out. Some people swear by cedar boxes, others use tubing. Whatever you do, don’t let them sit at 70%+ humidity – they’ll smoke wet and you’ll miss all those subtle flavors.
Is the Cohiba Exquisitos a good cigar for beginners to Cuban cigars?
Honestly? It’s complicated. On one hand, the shorter smoking time is perfect if you’re not sure you’ll enjoy a full hour-plus smoke. The medium strength won’t overwhelm you like some Cuban powerhouses can. On the other hand, the subtle complexity and refined flavor profile might be lost on someone who hasn’t developed their palate yet. It’s like appreciating a really good single malt – you need some context to understand what makes it special. If you’re completely new to cigars in general, maybe start with something more straightforward. But if you’ve smoked some non-Cubans and want to explore what Habanos offers? This is actually a perfect entry point to the Cohiba marca without the huge time or financial commitment.
What specific flavors should I look for when smoking an Exquisitos?
Right from the start, you should pick up cream and cocoa notes – think milk chocolate rather than dark. As it progresses, coffee emerges – specifically espresso, with that roasted quality. Cedar is there throughout, sometimes front and center, sometimes in the background. Leather comes in waves, especially in the second half. The wrapper brings a gentle spice that you’ll notice most on the retrohale – white pepper, not cayenne. Some people get honey sweetness, others pick up toast or nuts in the final third. And there’s this underlying smoothness that’s hard to describe but unmistakably Cohiba. If your Exquisitos tastes harsh, bitter, or one-dimensional, either it’s too young, stored wrong, or you got a dud – it happens with Cubans sometimes.
How does the Exquisitos fit into the broader Cohiba lineup?
The Exquisitos is part of the original Cohiba Línea Clásica alongside the Panetelas, Coronas Especiales, Lanceros, Robustos, and Esplendidos. It’s the shortest vitola in that core lineup, which makes it the most accessible time-wise but also the most overlooked. While the Behike line gets all the hype and the Siglo series offers more variety in sizes, the Exquisitos represents pure, concentrated classic Cohiba character. Think of it as the espresso shot of the Cohiba world – small, intense, refined, and perfect when you want the full experience without the commitment. It doesn’t get limited edition status or fancy bands, but that’s kind of the point. It’s just exceptional tobacco rolled well, and sometimes that’s all you need.
Final Thoughts From One Aficionado to Another
I genuinely don’t understand why more people don’t talk about the Cohiba Exquisitos. Actually, wait – maybe I do understand, and maybe I don’t mind. While everyone else is chasing the latest limited edition release or debating whether the newest Behike justifies its reputation, those of us who appreciate the Exquisitos get to enjoy a consistently excellent cigar that delivers authentic Cohiba character without requiring you to clear your schedule.
This is a cigar that rewards patience – both in aging and in smoking. It’s not going to announce itself with bold, aggressive flavors. Instead, it offers refinement, complexity, and that signature smoothness that comes from tobacco treated with extra care and respect. The compact format isn’t a limitation; it’s a feature that concentrates everything you love about Cohiba into a format that fits modern life.
Whether you’re a longtime Cuban cigar enthusiast looking for your next morning smoke or someone ready to explore what makes Cohiba special, the Exquisitos deserves your attention. Grab a few, let them rest in your humidor if you can stand to wait, and discover what a truly well-crafted petite robusto can deliver. You won’t regret it.
