Description
The Maduros 5 Magicos: Cohiba’s Dark Horse That Nobody Talks About Enough
Look, I’m just going to say it: the Cohiba Maduros 5 Magicos is one of the most underrated limited edition releases from Habanos, and I genuinely don’t understand why more people aren’t losing their minds over this cigar. When Cohiba announced the Maduros 5 line back in 2007, everyone went crazy for the Genios and the Secretos – which, don’t get me wrong, are fantastic – but the Magicos? This one flew under the radar, and honestly, that’s a crime. I remember the first time I tried one at a lounge in Tampa – this was maybe 2008, might’ve been 2009, memory’s fuzzy – and thinking to myself, “Wait, why isn’t everyone talking about THIS one?” It’s got this incredible ring gauge that lets the wrapper really shine through, and that maduro leaf… oh man, we need to talk about that wrapper.
What Makes This Cohiba Different (And Why I Keep Coming Back)
Here’s the thing about Cohiba – they’re the flagship brand of Habanos SA for a reason. Started in 1966 as Fidel Castro’s private stash, these cigars became the diplomatic gift of choice for Cuba. Every cigar aficionado knows this history, sure. But what not everyone realizes is that the Maduros 5 line represented something genuinely different for Cohiba. The brand built its reputation on those blonde, silky wrappers from the Vuelta Abajo region. Then in 2007, they decided to experiment with maduro wrappers that had been aged for an additional five years.
The Magicos sits in this sweet spot – not too big like the Genios, not too small like the Secretos. It’s got substance. The vitola itself is a thick robusto format that gives you a solid hour and a half of smoking time, maybe closer to two hours if you’re like me and tend to slow down once you hit that second third. Thing is, this isn’t just a regular Cohiba with a darker wrapper slapped on. The filler blend uses those top-quality Vuelta Abajo leaves – the same region that produces wrapper, binder, and filler for most premium habanos – but the extended aging on that wrapper creates this completely different flavor architecture.
Who’s this cigar for? Real talk: if you’re new to Cubans, this might overwhelm you. The Magicos demands experience. It’s for the smoker who’s graduated past Montecristo No. 4s and wants something with more depth, more complexity, more… I don’t know how else to put it… more personality. It’s for that evening when you’ve got time to kill and want to focus on what you’re smoking rather than treating it as background noise.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Magicos (Robusto Extra) |
| Length | 4.5 inches / 115 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 52 |
| Wrapper | Cuban Maduro (Vuelta Abajo, 5-year aged) |
| Binder | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Filler | Cuban tripa larga (long filler, Vuelta Abajo) |
| Strength | Medium to Full |
| Smoking Time | 90-120 minutes |
The Smoking Experience: What Actually Happens When You Light This Thing Up
Okay, so let’s walk through this from start to finish, because the journey matters with the Magicos. Actually, before we even light up – the cold draw. I always do a cold draw, and with this cigar, you should too. You get this immediate hit of cocoa and dried fruit. Not like artificial chocolate flavor, but that raw cacao bean scent. There’s cedar in there too, which makes sense given how most Cuban cigars are stored, but it’s not overwhelming. Some earth. A little coffee bean action. The draw resistance is usually spot-on – not too tight, not too loose. Cohiba’s construction quality is generally excellent, and the Magicos doesn’t disappoint.
First third hits you with that maduro sweetness right off the bat. And I know this sounds dramatic, but that first puff is like walking into a high-end coffee roaster – that deep, rich aroma just fills your palate. You get coffee notes immediately, but it’s more espresso than drip coffee. There’s a creamy texture to the smoke that coats your mouth. The pepper shows up too, but it’s not aggressive – more like a background hum that keeps things interesting. What surprised me the first time was how the cocoa notes evolved. They start subtle, almost hiding behind the coffee, then gradually build as you move through this section.
The wrapper’s oily sheen isn’t just for show – you can taste that extra aging. There’s this complexity that regular Cohiba wrappers don’t have, a kind of fermented richness that’s hard to describe. Between you and me, I think this is where the Magicos really earns its keep in the lineup.
Second third is where things get really good. The pepper ramps up a bit – not enough to overwhelm, but enough that you notice it more prominently. The coffee transitions into darker territory, almost like a mocha situation with those cocoa notes fully integrated now. Here’s what gets me about this section: the spicy elements. There’s this baking spice quality that emerges – think cinnamon and nutmeg, but subtle. Not like someone dumped pumpkin spice in your cigar, just these warm, sophisticated spice notes weaving through everything.
The strength builds here too. If you started thinking this was a medium-bodied smoke, you’ll revise that assessment. It pushes into full-bodied territory, but maintains this remarkable smoothness. The creaminess from the first third doesn’t disappear; it just becomes one layer among many. And the aroma – no joke – fills whatever room you’re in. My wife can tell when I’m smoking a Magicos from inside the house. It’s that distinctive.
Construction-wise, I’ve never had a Magicos disappoint. The burn line stays razor-straight. The ash holds for a solid inch, sometimes more, with this beautiful light gray color that tells you the tobacco’s burning clean. I’m probably biased here, but I think Cohiba’s rollers deserve more credit for their consistency.
Final third is where the Magicos shows you what it’s really made of. The strength hits its peak – this is full-bodied now, no question. But here’s the impressive part: it never gets harsh. Some full-strength cigars turn bitter or hot in the final stretch. Not this one. The pepper becomes more pronounced, sure, and there’s this earthiness that really comes forward – that classic Cuban tobacco taste that reminds you exactly what you’re smoking. The cocoa’s still there, darker now, like 85% dark chocolate. Coffee notes persist but become more roasted, more intense.
The retrohale in this section? Wow. If you can handle it – and I’ll be honest, some days I can’t – the retrohale delivers this incredible blast of spice and cedar. Your sinuses get the full treatment. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it reveals flavor dimensions you miss otherwise.
How Does It Stack Up? Let’s Compare
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cohiba Maduros 5 Magicos | Medium-Full to Full | 90-120 minutes | Evening smoke, experienced palates, special occasions |
| Cohiba Maduros 5 Genios | Full | 120-150 minutes | Long sessions, patient smokers, after dinner |
| Partagás Serie D No. 4 | Medium-Full | 60-90 minutes | Robust flavor lovers, shorter time frame, earthy preferences |
| Bolivar Royal Corona | Full | 75-90 minutes | Strength seekers, bold flavors, experienced smokers |
Look, comparing Cuban cigars is always tricky because personal preference plays such a huge role. But if you’re trying to decide between the Magicos and its siblings in the Maduros 5 line, here’s my take: the Genios is bigger, longer, and gives you more time with similar flavors, but it demands serious commitment. The Magicos delivers most of that experience in a more manageable format. Against something like a Partagás D4 – which I love, by the way – the Magicos has more sophistication and complexity. The D4 hits you over the head with earthy, bold flavors. The Magicos is more nuanced, more layered. The Bolivar Royal Corona? That’s pure strength and earth. The Magicos offers strength too, but with more finesse.
What to Drink With It (And When to Smoke It)
Okay, so pairing recommendations. I’ve tried the Magicos with everything from coffee to cognac, and here’s what actually works. Real talk: a good aged rum is my go-to. Something like Ron Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva complements those cocoa and coffee notes without overwhelming them. The sweetness in the rum plays beautifully with the maduro wrapper’s natural sweetness.
If you’re more of a whiskey person – and I often am – go for a Highland scotch. Something like Glenmorangie or Dalmore. The fruity, slightly spicy character works with the cigar rather than fighting it. Avoid super peaty Islay scotches; they’ll just compete for attention. A quality bourbon works too. I’ve had great experiences with Woodford Reserve or Blanton’s alongside a Magicos.
Coffee? Absolutely, especially espresso. There’s this interesting mirroring effect where the coffee notes in the cigar and the actual coffee create this resonance. Sounds pretentious, I know, but it’s true.
When should you smoke this? Not in the morning. I mean, you can do whatever you want, but this cigar deserves evening hours. After dinner, with at least an hour and a half of uninterrupted time. Special occasions work great – anniversaries, celebrations, that kind of thing. It’s also perfect for contemplative solo sessions when you want to think through something important. The Magicos demands attention, and it rewards that attention.
Common Questions About the Cohiba Maduros 5 Magicos
What’s the difference between the Magicos and regular Cohiba Robustos?
The main difference is that maduro wrapper – it’s been aged for five additional years beyond the standard aging process. This creates a sweeter, richer flavor profile with more pronounced cocoa and coffee notes. The regular Cohiba Robusto delivers that classic blonde wrapper experience with grass, cream, and cedar. The Magicos goes darker and deeper. Think of it like comparing milk chocolate to dark chocolate. Both are excellent, but they’re fundamentally different experiences. The strength profile is also amped up in the Magicos.
How should I store the Maduros 5 Magicos? Does it need different humidity than other Cubans?
No, standard Cuban cigar storage applies here. Keep them at 65-70% relative humidity and around 65-70°F. I personally lean toward the lower end – around 65% RH – for maduro-wrapped cigars because I find they smoke better with slightly less moisture. The wrapper’s already oily and dense, so you don’t need aggressive humidification. Give them at least a few weeks to acclimate to your humidor before smoking, especially if they’ve been shipped. These cigars can handle aging beautifully too. I’ve got some from 2010 that are smoking phenomenally right now.
Is the Magicos too strong for someone who usually smokes medium-bodied cigars?
Hmm, how do I put this… It depends on your tolerance and experience level. The Magicos starts in medium-full territory and builds to full-bodied by the final third. If you’re comfortable with cigars like Montecristo No. 2 or Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2, you should be fine – just smoke it on a full stomach and maybe have it later in the day rather than as your first cigar. If you’re still in the mild-to-medium range with your preferences, this might be a stretch. Not gonna lie, I’ve seen people underestimate the Magicos and regret it halfway through. Work your way up to it.
Were the Maduros 5 Magicos a limited edition release, and can I still find them?
Yes and sort of. The Maduros 5 line was initially released as a limited edition in 2007, but it proved popular enough that Habanos SA brought it back. The Magicos specifically has seen periodic production since then, though availability fluctuates wildly. Some years you can find boxes easily, other years they’re scarce. They’re not discontinued, but they’re not regular production either – think of them as semi-regular special releases. When you find them, grab them, because they might disappear for a while. And honestly? They age incredibly well, so buying a box and sitting on it for a few years is a solid strategy.
What flavors should I expect from the Maduros 5 Magicos?
You’re looking at a complex flavor journey. Coffee and cocoa dominate – think espresso and dark chocolate from start to finish. There’s a creamy texture throughout that makes the smoke incredibly smooth. Cedar comes through prominently, especially in the aroma. Pepper builds gradually, starting subtle and becoming more pronounced in the second and final thirds. You’ll also get baking spices – cinnamon and nutmeg type notes – in the middle section. The finish brings forward earthy Cuban tobacco character with lingering spice on the retrohale. The maduro wrapper adds this underlying sweetness that ties everything together. It’s a full-flavored profile without being one-dimensional.
How does the Magicos compare to other vitolas in the Maduros 5 line?
The Maduros 5 line includes five vitolas total – Genios, Mágicos, Secretos, Mágicos, and a couple others that rotated through. The Genios is the big boy at 52 x 140mm, so it’s longer and gives you more smoking time with similar flavors. The Secretos is tiny by comparison, almost a short smoke format. The Magicos sits in that perfect middle ground – substantial enough to develop complexity but not so big that it becomes a commitment issue. I’ll be blunt: I think the Magicos is the best vitola in the line for most smokers. The Genios can get monotonous if you’re not prepared for a two-hour-plus session, and the Secretos ends before you really get to explore everything. The Magicos is the Goldilocks option – just right.
Should I let the Magicos rest before smoking, or are they good to go right away?
Always let them rest. I don’t care how eager you are – give these cigars at least two to four weeks in your humidor after you receive them. Cuban cigars typically travel through various conditions before reaching you, and they need time to stabilize and acclimate to your storage environment. The Magicos specifically benefits from rest because that thick maduro wrapper can hold onto excess moisture. I’ve smoked them fresh and I’ve smoked them after months of rest, and the difference is noticeable. The rested ones burn more evenly, draw better, and the flavors are more defined. If you can wait six months or a year? Even better. These cigars reward patience like crazy.
Final Thoughts: Should You Try the Magicos?
Look, I’ve spent this whole article basically gushing about the Cohiba Maduros 5 Magicos, so my position should be clear. But let me break it down one more time. This cigar represents something special in the Cohiba lineup – it’s a departure from their classic profile, but it maintains all that quality and craftsmanship the brand is known for. That five-year-aged maduro wrapper isn’t gimmickry; it fundamentally transforms the smoking experience into something richer, deeper, more complex than your standard Cohiba.
Is it for everyone? No. If you prefer mild to medium-bodied cigars, this will overwhelm you. If you’re just starting your Cuban cigar journey, work your way up to this one. But if you’ve got experience with habanos, if you appreciate full-flavored smokes that maintain sophistication and balance, if you want something for those special occasions that deserves two hours of your undivided attention – then yeah, you need to try the Magicos.
Here’s what I know after dozens of these cigars over the years: the Magicos delivers consistently excellent experiences. The construction is nearly flawless, the flavor profile hits all the right notes without becoming one-dimensional, and the smoking experience from start to finish rewards attention. That combination of coffee, cocoa, cedar, spice, and cream – all wrapped in that gorgeous dark wrapper with enough strength to satisfy without punishing – it’s exactly what a premium limited edition Cuban should be.
Between you and me, I think the Magicos deserves more recognition than it gets. While everyone chases after Behikes and Lanceros, this cigar sits quietly in the catalog producing exceptional smoke after exceptional smoke. Add a box to your humidor. Let them rest. Choose an evening when you’ve got time and the right beverage. Light one up and see what I’ve been talking about. I’m betting you’ll understand why I keep coming back to these.
