Description
When Cohiba Wants to Make a Statement
Some cigars whisper. This one? It walks into the room and everyone notices. The Cohiba Majestuosos 1966 is what happens when Habanos S.A. decides to commemorate something truly special – and yeah, they nailed it. Released to celebrate Cohiba’s founding year, this isn’t just another limited edition cash grab. I’ll be honest: when I first heard about this release, I thought “great, another overpriced commemorative stick.” Then I smoked one at a friend’s place in Tampa – actually, it was his birthday and he’d been saving this for months – and I had to eat those words. Hard.
This cigar changed my mind about what Cohiba could do when they weren’t playing it safe with their regular production lines. We’re talking about a smoking experience that sits somewhere between a religious experience and a masterclass in Cuban tobacco blending. If you’ve only ever tried the Cohiba Robustos or Esplendidos, you’re missing what this brand can really do.
The Story Behind This Beast
Cohiba launched in 1966 as Castro’s personal cigar brand – you probably know that story already. What makes the Majestuosos 1966 different is that it’s not trying to be subtle about its origins. This is Cohiba showing off, plain and simple. They took tobacco from the Vuelta Abajo region – and I mean the primo stuff they usually reserve for diplomatic gifts – and created something that’s meant to showcase exactly why Cuban cigars still hold that mystique.
The thing is, this isn’t a cigar for someone just getting into Cubans. Actually, scratch that – if you’re new to cigars and you start with this, everything else might disappoint you. It’s like losing your virginity to a supermodel; where do you go from there? The Majestuosos is built for the aficionado who’s worked through the regular Cohiba lineup and wants to understand what “next level” actually means. Medium to full strength, complex as hell, and with a flavor profile that keeps you guessing from start to finish.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Majestuosos 1966 |
| Length | 6.5 inches / 165 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 52 |
| Wrapper | Cuban Vuelta Abajo |
| Binder | Cuban Vuelta Abajo |
| Filler | Cuban Vuelta Abajo Premium Blend |
| Strength | Medium to Full |
| Smoking Time | 90-120 minutes |
What You’re Actually Smoking
Right off the bat – and I mean before you even light this thing – the cold draw gives you something to think about. There’s this leather note that hits first, not harsh or overpowering, but definitely present. It’s mixed with cedar and a hint of that barnyard earthiness that tells you this is Cuban tobacco. The wrapper itself? Gorgeous. That reddish-brown color with just enough oil to catch the light. I’ve seen perfectly constructed Montecristo No. 2s that didn’t look this good.
The first third starts smooth – smoother than I expected, honestly. You get coffee and cream notes right away, but there’s this underlying spicy character that keeps building. Not pepper spray spicy, more like… hmm, how do I put this… like when you’re drinking a really good añejo rum and you get that warm spice on the back of your throat. The burn is razor-sharp straight, which isn’t always the case even with premium Cubans. The ash holds solid for almost two inches before I tapped it off.
Now the second third – oh man – this is where it gets interesting. The coffee notes deepen, becoming richer, almost like espresso instead of the lighter coffee you got initially. The leather comes back stronger, and there’s this cedar presence that reminds me of sitting in a quality humidor. Actually, my buddy described it as “smoking a humidor” and I couldn’t argue with him. The strength picks up here too. If you came in thinking this was going to stay medium the whole way, surprise. It builds to a solid medium-full without crossing into that territory where you need to sit down.
The final third is where you see the craftsmanship. Some cigars fall apart at the end – get bitter, get harsh, whatever. Not this one. The flavors condense and intensify but stay balanced. You’re getting all those notes from earlier – coffee, leather, cedar, spice – but they’re harmonizing instead of fighting each other. The retrohale? Creamy smoke with this lingering spicy-sweet thing that I honestly can’t compare to anything else I’ve had. And yeah, I smoked it down to the nub because I wasn’t ready for it to end.
How Does It Stack Up?
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cohiba Majestuosos 1966 | Medium-Full | 90-120 min | Special occasions, experienced smokers |
| Cohiba Behike 56 | Medium-Full | 90-110 min | When you want ultra-premium Cohiba |
| Montecristo 80 Aniversario | Medium | 100-130 min | Long evening smokes, celebrations |
What to Pair It With (And When to Smoke It)
I’m not one of those guys who thinks you need to pair every cigar with some fancy drink, but this one deserves the right companion. My go-to? An aged rum – specifically something like Flor de Caña 18 or Ron Zacapa 23. The sweetness and complexity in those rums play beautifully with the leather and coffee notes. If you’re a whisky person, go for something smooth – maybe a Highland scotch like Dalmore 15. Skip the peaty Islay stuff; it’ll fight with the cigar.
Coffee works too, but we’re talking espresso or a strong Cuban coffee, not some watered-down diner brew. And timing matters. This isn’t a morning cigar unless you’ve got nothing to do all afternoon. Late evening is perfect – after dinner when you’ve got two hours to kill and nowhere to be. I smoked one during a poker game once and realized halfway through I wasn’t paying attention to my cards. That’s the kind of cigar this is.
Storage and Handling Notes
Keep this in your humidor at 65-68% humidity and around 68-70 degrees if you can manage it. I know some aficionados swear by higher humidity for Cubans, but I find these smoke better slightly drier. Give them at least a month of rest when you get them – longer if you can wait, which I know is tough. The flavors marry and smooth out with time. I’ve got a couple aging right now that I’m not touching until next year, and yeah, it’s killing me.
The Real Talk Section
Is this the best Cohiba I’ve ever had? That’s tough because the Behike line exists, and those are stupid good. But for what it’s trying to do – celebrate Cohiba’s heritage while showcasing modern blending technique – it absolutely succeeds. This cigar has substance behind the name. It’s not riding on the Cohiba reputation alone, which is more than I can say for some of their other limited editions over the years.
The construction is flawless. I haven’t had a single one with draw issues or burn problems, which tells me the quality control on these was taken seriously. The flavor progression is sophisticated without being pretentious. And that finish? It lingers for a good thirty minutes after you’re done, in the best way possible. That’s how you know you smoked something special – when you’re still thinking about it an hour later.
How does the Majestuosos 1966 compare to regular Cohiba production cigars?
It’s in a different league entirely. While regular production Cohibas are excellent, the Majestuosos uses even more carefully selected tobacco and has a complexity that most standard line Cohibas don’t achieve. Think of it as the difference between a really good bottle of wine and a collector’s vintage – same winemaker, different level of execution. The depth of flavor and construction quality justify it being a special release.
What’s the ideal humidity level for storing these?
I keep mine at 65-68% humidity, which is slightly lower than the traditional 70% most people use for Cubans. At this level, they smoke cooler and the flavors seem more defined to me. If you store them higher, they’ll smoke fine but might be a bit wetter and take longer to get going. Give them at least a month to acclimate to your humidor before smoking – patience pays off here.
Can a newer cigar smoker handle the strength of this cigar?
Honestly? Probably not the best choice for your first dozen cigars. It starts medium but builds to medium-full, and if you’re not used to that strength progression, you might find yourself feeling a bit wobbly. That said, if you’ve worked through milder Cubans like Romeo y Julieta or Hoyo de Monterrey and handled them fine, you’re probably ready. Just don’t smoke it on an empty stomach – learned that lesson the hard way.
What makes the Vuelta Abajo tobacco special in this blend?
Vuelta Abajo is Cuba’s premier tobacco-growing region – it’s where they grow the best of the best. But even within Vuelta Abajo, there are grades of tobacco, and Cohiba gets first pick of the harvest for their premium releases. The Majestuosos uses what they call “medio tiempo” leaves in the filler, which are rare top leaves that only some plants produce. These add complexity and strength without harshness. It’s like the difference between using choice beef versus prime – same animal, different quality tier.
How long should I let it rest before smoking?
Minimum one month in your humidor at proper humidity. Ideally? Three to six months if you’ve got the patience. I know that’s torture when you’re excited about a new cigar, but the flavors really do integrate and smooth out with time. I’ve smoked these fresh and after aging, and the aged ones are noticeably better – more cohesive, less sharp edges on the spice notes. Mark your calendar and forget about them for a while.
What time of day is best for smoking this cigar?
Late afternoon or evening, definitely after you’ve eaten something substantial. This isn’t a breakfast or morning coffee cigar – it’s got too much going on and the strength will sneak up on you. I usually reach for mine after dinner, maybe around 8 or 9 PM when I’ve got a couple hours with no obligations. Weekend afternoons work too if you’re relaxing on a Saturday and have nothing pressing. Just give yourself time to appreciate it properly.
Does it need a long smoking time to enjoy properly?
Yeah, you’re looking at 90 minutes minimum, probably closer to two hours if you’re smoking at a normal pace. This isn’t a cigar you rush through on a quick break. The flavor development happens throughout the entire smoke, so if you’re trying to finish it in 45 minutes, you’re missing half the experience. Clear your schedule, silence your phone, and commit to it. That’s part of what makes it special – it forces you to slow down and pay attention.
Final Thoughts From the Lounge
The Cohiba Majestuosos 1966 is what happens when Cuba’s most prestigious brand decides to create something worthy of its legacy. This isn’t a cigar you smoke every day – it’s too special for that, too demanding of your attention and time. But for those moments when you want to experience what Cuban cigar craftsmanship can achieve at its highest level, this is one of the best examples I’ve encountered in years of smoking Habanos.
If you’ve been working your way through the world of premium Cubans and you’re ready for something that’ll challenge and reward you in equal measure, grab one of these. Let it rest properly, set aside an evening with nothing else to do, and prepare for a smoking experience that’ll remind you why you fell in love with Cuban cigars in the first place. Some cigars are just smoke. This one’s a statement.
