Description
When Lightning Strikes Twice in a Cigar Box
You know those cigars that haunt you? The ones where you remember exactly where you were, who you were with, what you were drinking? That’s what happened to me with the Cohiba Siglo 6 Gran Reserva 2003. I was at a friend’s place in Miami back in 2009 – yeah, it took me six years to get my hands on one of these – and within the first inch, I knew I was smoking something different. Not just good. Different.
The Gran Reserva line isn’t some marketing gimmick Habanos SA dreamed up last Tuesday. They only release these when they’ve got tobacco aged a minimum of five years that they feel deserves the treatment. The 2003 release used leaves from the 1998 harvest – Cuban tobacco from Vuelta Abajo at its absolute peak. And they only made 15,000 boxes. When you’re talking about a cigar that’s been aging since the Bush administration, well, you’re entering a different realm entirely.
What Makes This Habano Worth Tracking Down
Cohiba doesn’t need an introduction, but the Gran Reserva program? That’s where things get interesting. This isn’t your standard Siglo VI with a fancy band – though don’t get me wrong, the regular Siglo VI is exceptional. The Gran Reserva takes that same Cañonazo vitola and asks: what happens when we give it the absolute best tobacco we have, age it longer than most marriages last, and then let the finished cigars rest even more?
I’ll be honest: when I first heard about the Gran Reserva releases, I was skeptical. Cuban cigars already spend years aging – isn’t this just premium pricing for patience? Then I smoked one. The complexity isn’t just deeper, it’s different. The rough edges that even great young Cubans have? Gone. What you get instead is this incredibly refined smoke that still maintains the character that makes Cuban cigars, well, Cuban.
This cigar is for the smoker who’s already worked their way through the regular Cohiba lineup. If you’re still finding Montecristo No. 2s challenging, hold off on this one. The Siglo 6 Gran Reserva 2003 rewards experience – you need to know what to look for, how to pace yourself, and honestly, you need to have the patience to smoke it slowly enough to appreciate what’s happening.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Cañonazo (Siglo VI) |
| Length | 5.9 inches / 150 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 52 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo, 1998 harvest) |
| Binder | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Filler | Cuban blend, aged 5+ years |
| Strength | Medium to Medium-Full |
| Smoking Time | 90-120 minutes |
The Experience – And Why You Need Two Hours
Before you even light this thing, spend time with the cold draw. I mean it – spend actual time. The pre-light aroma is almost floral, with this underlying sweetness that reminds me of dried fruit. Maybe figs? The wrapper has this beautiful, slightly oily sheen that tells you the tobacco is perfectly humidified and ready.
The first third opens with cream and wood notes, but not aggressive wood – this is aged cedar, maybe sandalwood. There’s a subtle sweetness that weaves through everything, and here’s what surprised me: despite the age, there’s still this vibrant quality to the smoke. It’s not muted or overly smooth to the point of being boring. You’re getting complexity without harshness, which is exactly what all that aging should deliver.
Around the inch-and-a-half mark – and this happened consistently across the three I’ve smoked – leather notes start emerging. Not the tannery smell some young Cubans have. This is more like a well-worn leather chair in a study. There’s also this interesting nuttiness that develops. Almonds, maybe? My buddy insists it’s hazelnut, but he’s wrong about most things, so take that with a grain of salt.
The second third is where this cigar earns its reputation. The flavors don’t just intensify – they layer. You’re getting that classic Cuban twang, but refined. There’s earth, there’s spice (white pepper, very subtle), and underneath it all, this honeyed sweetness that keeps everything balanced. The retrohale – if you’re comfortable with that technique – adds coffee notes that aren’t anywhere in the straight draw. It’s wild.
Construction? Flawless on every single one I’ve had. The burn line stays razor-sharp without any touch-ups. The ash holds for nearly two inches before dropping, and when it does, it’s this perfect light-grey color that tells you the tobacco was fermented properly. The draw is exactly what you want – not too easy, not plugged, just enough resistance to make you work for it a little.
Final third is where opinions split among the smokers I know. Some find it gets a bit strong – the nicotine definitely picks up. I think it’s perfect. The sweetness from earlier is still there, but now you’re getting darker flavors. Espresso, dark chocolate, maybe a hint of molasses. The smoke gets richer, creamier somehow. If you’ve been pacing yourself – and you should have been – this is your reward.
How Does It Stack Up?
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cohiba Siglo 6 Gran Reserva 2003 | Medium-Full | 90-120 min | Special occasions demanding refinement |
| Cohiba Siglo VI (regular production) | Medium | 60-90 min | When you want classic Cohiba without the hunt |
| Montecristo Sublime Edición Limitada | Medium | 60-75 min | Similar elegance, different character |
| Partagás Lusitania | Full | 90-120 min | When you want power with your complexity |
What to Drink While You’re Smoking This
I’ve paired this cigar with different drinks over the years, and my go-to remains a well-aged rum. Specifically, something like Zacapa 23 or Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva. The sweetness in the rum mirrors what’s happening in the cigar without overwhelming it. Plus, there’s something poetically appropriate about pairing aged Cuban tobacco with Caribbean rum.
That said – and I know this is controversial – a good single malt works beautifully too. I’m talking Highlands, not Islay. The Islay peat bombs are too much. Something like Dalmore 15 or even a Balvenie DoubleWood brings out different notes in the cigar. The sherry cask influence plays really well with the Gran Reserva’s natural sweetness.
Coffee? Absolutely, especially if you’re smoking this in the morning. A proper Cuban coffee if you can get it – strong, sweet, served in those tiny cups. Or if you’re doing afternoon, espresso works. The bitter notes cut through the smoke in a way that keeps your palate fresh for the next draw.
Timing-wise, this is an evening cigar for me. After dinner, when you’ve got nowhere to be for the next two hours. Maybe it’s a Saturday night, maybe you’re celebrating something, maybe you just had a really good week. This isn’t a cigar you smoke while you’re distracted or multitasking. Give it your attention.
How does the Gran Reserva compare to a regular Siglo VI?
The regular Siglo VI is excellent – don’t get me wrong. But the Gran Reserva is smoother, more complex, and has this refined quality that only comes from exceptional tobacco aged significantly longer. Think of it this way: if the regular Siglo VI is a great college professor, the Gran Reserva is that same professor after 20 more years of experience and wisdom. Same foundation, elevated execution.
Is it too late to find these from 2003?
They’re rare, but they’re out there. The challenge is authentication – there are fakes floating around because of the premium nature. Buy from reputable sources only, and expect to pay accordingly. Some shops still have boxes tucked away, and private collectors occasionally sell. Just be prepared to verify authenticity carefully.
What’s the ideal humidity for storing these long-term?
I keep mine at 65% RH, maybe 66%. These cigars have already been aged extensively, so you don’t want them drying out, but you also don’t want them too moist. Temperature-wise, I aim for 65-68°F. Consistency matters more than hitting exact numbers – avoid fluctuations and you’ll be fine.
Can newer smokers appreciate this cigar or is it wasted on them?
Real talk: probably wasted. Not because newer smokers can’t enjoy it – they will – but they won’t fully appreciate what makes it special. It’s like giving someone who just started drinking wine a 30-year-old Bordeaux. They’ll like it, sure, but they won’t understand WHY it’s extraordinary. Work your way up through the Cohiba line first.
How does this compare to other Gran Reserva releases?
I’ve smoked the 2009 release too, and honestly? The 2003 edges it out for me. The 2009 is fantastic – maybe more approachable actually – but the 2003 has this character that I haven’t found elsewhere. Could be the specific tobacco harvest, could be how they’ve aged differently. Either way, if you can only track down one Gran Reserva, make it the 2003.
What’s the smoking strength progression like throughout?
It starts medium, stays there for most of the cigar, then kicks up to medium-full in the final third. If you’re sensitive to nicotine, eat something substantial before smoking this and keep a sugary drink nearby just in case. The strength builds gradually though – it’s not a sudden punch. Pace yourself and you’ll be fine.
Should I age these further or smoke them now?
At this point, with cigars from 2003 that were already made with aged tobacco? Smoke them. They’re in their prime right now. Sure, they’ll probably still be great in five years, but Cuban cigars don’t age indefinitely in an upward trajectory. There’s a peak, and these are at or very near it. Don’t save them so long that you miss the window.
Final Thoughts From the Smoking Chair
The Cohiba Siglo 6 Gran Reserva 2003 isn’t a cigar you smoke every week. It’s not even one you smoke every month, honestly. But when the moment calls for something exceptional – when you want to mark an occasion, celebrate an achievement, or just remind yourself why you fell in love with Cuban cigars in the first place – this is what you reach for.
It’s refined without being boring, complex without being overwhelming, and powerful without beating you over the head. That’s a difficult balance to strike, and Habanos SA absolutely nailed it with this release. If you find one at a reputable source, don’t overthink it. Buy it, store it properly, and wait for the right moment. You’ll know when that is.
And when you light it up, give yourself time. Clear your schedule, silence your phone, and just enjoy what happens when master blenders get access to incredible tobacco and the patience to let it reach its full potential. That’s what this cigar is – potential fully realized.
