Description
Why This Cohiba Stands Apart From Everything Else in Your Humidor
I still remember the first time I got my hands on a Reserva Cosecha release. It was 2017, and a friend of mine who works at a Casa del Habano in Mexico City called me up – practically breathless – to tell me about these limited releases that Habanos S.A. had just announced. At the time, I thought I knew Cohiba. I’d been smoking their regular production line for years. But the Robusto Reserva Cosecha 2014? This thing operates on a completely different level. We’re talking about tobacco that was harvested in 2014 and then aged for three additional years before even being rolled. That’s five years minimum before the cigar even makes it to your humidor. If you’ve been chasing that elusive “aged Cuban” experience without waiting a decade yourself, this is exactly what you’ve been looking for.
What Makes the Reserva Cosecha Series So Special
Cohiba doesn’t need much introduction – it’s the flagship brand of Cuba, originally created in 1966 exclusively for Fidel Castro and government officials. But the Reserva Cosecha line? That’s a different animal entirely. Habanos S.A. only produces these when they have tobacco from an exceptional harvest year that they believe deserves special treatment. The 2014 harvest from Vuelta Abajo was apparently one of those years where everything just clicked – the right amount of rain, perfect sun exposure, ideal soil conditions.
What sets this apart from your standard Cohiba Robusto is the aging. Every leaf in this cigar – wrapper, binder, filler – comes from that 2014 harvest and received extended aging. The regular Cohiba line uses aged tobacco, sure, but this takes it to another extreme. You’re essentially smoking a vintage Cuban cigar without having to buy a box from 2014 and wait until 2024 to smoke it. Habanos did the waiting for you. The result is a smoothness and complexity that you just can’t get from younger tobacco, no matter how skilled the torcedor.
This cigar is for the aficionado who’s moved past the “wow, I’m smoking a Cuban” phase and into the “I want the absolute best expression of what Cuban tobacco can be” territory. If you’re still working your way through mild Connecticut shade wrappers, bookmark this one for later. Come back when you’re ready.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Robusto |
| Length | 4.9 inches / 124 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 50 |
| Wrapper | Cuban Vuelta Abajo (2014 Cosecha) |
| Binder | Cuban Vuelta Abajo (2014 Cosecha) |
| Filler | Cuban Vuelta Abajo (2014 Cosecha) |
| Strength | Medium to Full |
| Smoking Time | 60-75 minutes |
From First Light to Final Draw: The Complete Experience
The wrapper on this Robusto has this beautiful dark colorado shade – not quite maduro, but definitely richer than your typical Cohiba. It’s oily without being slick, if that makes sense. When I ran my fingers along it, you could feel the texture. The construction is – and I hate using this word because it sounds pretentious, but it’s accurate – immaculate. Triple cap perfectly applied. Not a single soft spot anywhere. The cold draw gives you hints of what’s coming: cocoa, a touch of sweetness, and underneath it all, this earthy richness that makes your mouth water.
First third hits you with creamy smoke right from the initial puff. That extended aging really shows itself here – there’s zero harshness, zero bitterness, just this incredibly smooth delivery of flavor. You get leather notes almost immediately, but it’s not that sharp, tannic leather you sometimes get from younger Cubans. This is more like a well-worn leather chair in an old library. Cedar comes in strong too, which is classic Cohiba territory. There’s a subtle spiciness on the retrohale – not pepper exactly, more like baking spices. Cinnamon, maybe a touch of nutmeg? The burn line is razor straight without any touch-ups needed. The ash holds for a solid inch and a half before I finally tapped it off, bright white and firm.
Second third is where things get interesting. The creaminess is still there – that doesn’t go away – but now you’re getting these waves of complexity. The earth notes become more pronounced, almost like freshly turned soil after rain. Coffee starts making an appearance, but it’s not that bright espresso note. It’s more like dark roast that’s been sitting in the pot for twenty minutes – rich, slightly bitter in a good way, deeply satisfying. The leather transitions from library chair to something more like a saddle shop. And that spice? It builds. Not aggressively, but you definitely notice it more. The strength creeps up here too. This is solidly in medium-full territory now. I wouldn’t smoke this on an empty stomach.
Final third – and this is where aged tobacco really shows what it can do – maintains all that complexity without turning harsh or bitter. A lot of full-bodied cigars fall apart in the last third, getting hot or acrid. Not this one. The flavors concentrate and intensify, but they stay balanced. Dark chocolate joins the party. The earth notes are dominant now, but not in an overwhelming way. It’s grounding, anchoring all those other flavors. The leather and spice are still present, weaving in and out. I smoked mine down until my fingers got warm. Didn’t want it to end, honestly. The retrohale in this final section is phenomenal – all that flavor comes through your nose in waves. Rich, complex, satisfying. That’s the word that kept coming to mind: satisfying.
How Does It Stack Up Against the Competition?
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cohiba Robusto Reserva Cosecha 2014 | Medium-Full | 60-75 minutes | Special occasions requiring the finest aged Cuban tobacco |
| Cohiba Robusto (Regular Production) | Medium | 50-65 minutes | Daily smoking when you want premium quality without the wait |
| Montecristo No. 2 Reserva Cosecha 2013 | Full | 75-90 minutes | When you want more strength and a longer smoke |
| Partagás Serie D No. 4 Reserva | Full | 55-70 minutes | Earthier, more robust alternative with less refinement |
The regular production Cohiba Robusto is excellent – don’t get me wrong. But this Reserva Cosecha is like comparing a great bottle of wine to a twenty-year-old vintage from the same vineyard. Same DNA, completely different experience. The Montecristo Reserva from 2013 is probably the closest competitor in terms of quality and aging, though it skews fuller and a bit more powerful. If you want something with more punch, go that direction. The Partagás Reserva is also fantastic, but it’s earthier and more rustic – less refined than this Cohiba.
What to Drink With This Beauty
I’m probably biased here, but I think this cigar deserves serious rum. Not your mixing rum – we’re talking aged sipping rum. A Ron Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva would be my first choice. That sweetness and complexity plays beautifully with the leather and spice notes. If you’re a whisky person, go with something smooth and rich – maybe a Glenfiddich 18 or even a good bourbon like Blanton’s. The vanilla and oak notes create this incredible harmony.
Coffee works too, especially if you’re smoking this in the morning or early afternoon – though honestly, this feels like an after-dinner cigar to me. A strong espresso or Cuban coffee would complement rather than compete. Some people pair Cohibas with champagne or cognac. I get it, though that’s not my style. Evening smoke, good rum, comfortable chair, no distractions – that’s when this cigar shines brightest.
How long can I age a Cohiba Reserva Cosecha 2014 in my humidor?
These cigars are already extensively aged, so they’re smoking beautifully right now. That said, you could easily age them another 3-5 years if you want even more smoothness and integration. Just keep your humidor at 65-68% humidity and around 65-70°F. I’ve got a couple sitting in mine for a 2026 smoke – call it an experiment. But honestly? They’re phenomenal today.
What’s the difference between Reserva and Gran Reserva releases?
Gran Reserva uses tobacco aged for a minimum of five years before rolling, while Reserva (like this Cosecha line) uses three years of additional aging. Gran Reserva also typically comes in lacquered boxes and commands even higher demand – if you can find them. Both are special occasion cigars, but the Cosecha releases offer that aged experience at a somewhat more accessible level. Well, accessible is relative when we’re talking about premium limited releases.
Is the medium-full strength too much for someone used to medium-bodied cigars?
Thing is, the strength builds gradually, and that extended aging makes the delivery incredibly smooth. If you’re comfortable with something like a Montecristo No. 2 or Partagás Serie D No. 4, you’ll be fine with this. Just make sure you’ve eaten something first and maybe have a sugary drink nearby just in case. The nicotine is definitely present in that final third. Don’t smoke this as your first cigar of the day unless you know your tolerance.
How should I store this cigar differently from regular Cubans?
You don’t need to do anything special, really. Same rules apply – keep it in a properly maintained humidor at 65-68% RH. Some people like to keep their aged cigars slightly drier (around 62-65%) to preserve the character, but I’ve had great results at normal humidity levels. The tobacco is stable after all that aging. Just don’t let it dry out or get too wet, same as any Cuban.
What’s the best time of day to smoke a Robusto Reserva Cosecha 2014?
For me, this is an evening cigar all the way. After dinner, when you’ve got at least an hour to spare and nowhere to be. The complexity and strength make it less ideal for morning or afternoon smoking – though I won’t judge if that’s your thing. Special occasion cigar, special occasion timing. Weekend evening, celebratory moment, end of a successful week – that’s when I reach for mine.
How many cigars were produced in this Reserva Cosecha 2014 release?
Habanos S.A. doesn’t always publish exact production numbers, but Reserva releases are intentionally limited. We’re talking thousands of boxes globally, not tens of thousands. Once they’re gone, they’re gone until the next Cosecha release – which might not be for years, and won’t be from the same harvest. If you see these available, don’t sleep on them thinking you’ll find them easily later. I learned that lesson the hard way with the 2013 releases.
Can beginners appreciate this cigar or should they wait?
Honestly? Wait. Not because you wouldn’t enjoy it – you probably would – but because you won’t fully appreciate what makes it special compared to regular production Cohibas. It’s like giving someone Dom Pérignon when they’re just discovering wine. Sure, it’s good, but is it $200 better than a nice $40 bottle to an untrained palate? Probably not. Work your way up through Cohiba’s regular line first. Try a standard Robusto, then maybe a Siglo VI. When you understand what makes those great, come back to this and have your mind blown.
Final Thoughts on This Exceptional Release
The Cohiba Robusto Reserva Cosecha 2014 represents Cuban cigar making at its absolute pinnacle. This isn’t your everyday smoke – it’s the cigar you break out when something significant happens or when you simply want to treat yourself to the best. That extended aging transforms already premium tobacco into something transcendent. The smoothness, the complexity, the way the flavors evolve and build without ever becoming harsh or unbalanced – this is what we chase as cigar enthusiasts.
If you’ve got a spot in your humidor and you come across these, grab them. You won’t regret it. And when you do finally light one up, give it the time and attention it deserves. This isn’t a cigar to smoke while checking emails or watching TV. Pour something worthy, find a comfortable spot, and just experience it. That’s what cigars like this are made for.
