Description
Why the Siglo II Is My Go-To Robusto (and Maybe Should Be Yours)
I’ve smoked a lot of Cohibas over the years – probably too many if I’m being honest with my wallet. But there’s something about the Siglo II that keeps pulling me back. It’s not the flashiest cigar in the Linea 1492 series, and it doesn’t have the prestige of a Behike or the imposing presence of a Siglo VI. Thing is, this little Robusto punches way above its weight class. If you’ve got 45 minutes and want a genuinely refined Cuban experience without committing to a two-hour smoking session, this is where you start. I’m going to walk you through why this particular vitola has earned its spot as one of Cuba’s most consistent performers, and trust me – after twenty-something years of smoking these, I’ve got opinions.
What Makes the Cohiba Siglo II Special
Cohiba. The name alone carries weight in cigar circles, and for good reason. Created in 1966 as Fidel Castro’s personal cigar before being released to the public in 1982, Cohiba represents the pinnacle of Cuban cigar craftsmanship. The Linea 1492 series – which includes the Siglo II – was introduced in 1992 to commemorate Columbus’s voyage to the Americas. Yeah, the marketing writes itself.
But forget the history lesson for a second. What actually makes the Siglo II worth your attention is its perfect middle ground. It’s a Robusto format – 5.1 inches by 42 ring gauge – which means it’s substantial enough to develop complexity but short enough to smoke during a lunch break or between conference calls. The blend uses leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region, and like all Cohibas, it goes through an additional fermentation process that mellows out the tobacco. The result? A medium-bodied smoke that’s refined without being boring. I’ll be blunt: this is the cigar I recommend when someone asks me where to start with Cuban Cohibas. Not the cheapest option, sure, but it rarely disappoints.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Robusto |
| Length | 5.1 inches / 129 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 42 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban blend |
| Strength | Medium |
| Smoking Time | 45-60 minutes |
The Smoking Experience: What You’re Actually Getting
Right off the bat – and I mean before you even light it – the cold draw gives you hints of what’s coming. There’s this subtle sweetness, almost like honey mixed with hay. Not overpowering. Just enough to make you curious. The wrapper on a fresh Siglo II has this beautiful golden-brown color, oily but not slick. Construction is typically flawless because, well, it’s Cohiba. They don’t mess around with quality control.
Light it up, and the first third hits you with cedar notes. That’s classic Cohiba territory right there – reminds me of walking into a proper humidor, that woody richness. There’s cream underneath it all, smoothing everything out. Some cigars punch you in the face with pepper or earth right away. The Siglo II? It’s more like a firm handshake. Professional, confident, but not trying to prove anything. The draw is usually effortless – I’ve rarely had to fight with one – and the smoke production is generous without being obnoxious. The ash holds for a solid inch, maybe inch and a half if you’re careful. It’s that light gray color that tells you the tobacco was fermented properly.
Middle third is where things get interesting. Actually, scratch that – this is where the Siglo II separates itself from other medium-bodied cigars. You start picking up these subtle spice notes, not pepper exactly, more like… hmm, how do I put this… like nutmeg maybe? There’s also this leather quality that creeps in, and if you retrohale (which you should, at least once), you get white pepper that tingles without overwhelming. The cedar from the first third is still there, but it’s playing backup now. What I love about this section is the balance – nothing dominates, nothing gets lost. It’s the kind of complexity that makes you slow down and actually pay attention.
Final third doesn’t turn bitter on you like some Robustos do when they’re getting short. I’ve smoked these down to the nub more times than I can count, and they stay smooth almost to the end. The flavors concentrate – more coffee notes emerge, maybe some cocoa if the cigar’s been aging well. The strength picks up slightly, but we’re still talking medium body here, not full. Some earthiness shows up right at the finish, which is typical for Cuban tobacco. The burn line stays razor-sharp if you’ve been treating it right, and that ash just keeps holding. It’s the kind of finish that makes you immediately want another one, which is dangerous for your budget.
How It Stacks Up Against Similar Cigars
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cohiba Siglo II | Medium | 45-60 min | Refined daytime smoke, business occasions |
| Montecristo No. 4 | Medium | 40-50 min | Traditional Cuban experience, everyday smoke |
| Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill | Medium | 45-55 min | Beginners, morning smoke |
| Partagás Serie D No. 4 | Medium-Full | 50-65 min | Evening smoke, fuller flavor seekers |
What to Drink With It (This Actually Matters)
I’ve paired the Siglo II with everything from coffee to scotch, and honestly, it’s pretty versatile. My personal favorite? A good aged rum – specifically something like Ron Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva. The sweetness in the rum complements those cedar and honey notes without overpowering the cigar. If you’re a whiskey person, go for a lighter scotch – maybe a Glenlivet 12 or Glenfiddich 15. Skip the heavily peated Islay malts; they’ll bulldoze right over the cigar’s subtlety.
Coffee works brilliantly with this cigar, especially in the morning. I’m talking about a proper espresso or Cuban coffee if you can get it. The bitterness cuts through the cream notes nicely. Some people swear by champagne with Cohibas, and yeah, I get it – the effervescence cleanses your palate between puffs. Not my thing personally, but it works. Best occasions? Mid-afternoon on a weekend, after a good meal, or during those rare moments when you’ve got an hour to yourself and nowhere you need to be. It’s refined enough for special occasions but approachable enough for a random Tuesday.
How long should I age a Cohiba Siglo II before smoking it?
Fresh Siglo IIs are perfectly smokeable right away, but I’d give them at least 3-6 months in your humidor if you can wait. The flavors marry together better, and any young harshness disappears. I’ve got some with five years on them that are absolutely singing. But don’t stress if you can’t wait – these are blended to be ready when you buy them.
Is the Siglo II available in tubos?
Yes, and honestly, I prefer buying them in tubos when traveling. The aluminum tube protects the cigar better than a regular box if you’re moving around a lot. The cigar itself is identical whether it comes in a tube or box. Some people claim the tubos age differently, but I’ve never noticed a meaningful difference in my humidor.
What’s the difference between Siglo II and other vitolas in the Cohiba Linea?
The Linea 1492 series uses the same blend across all six vitolas – Siglo I through VI. The difference is purely size and smoking time. Siglo II is the Robusto format, which I think shows off the blend perfectly. Siglo III is a Corona Gorda if you want something a bit longer, while Siglo I is shorter. Same DNA, different experience based on how much time you’ve got.
Why does my Siglo II taste different from the last one I smoked?
Cuban cigars have more variation than people expect – different harvests, aging time, storage conditions all play a role. Even box date matters. A 2019 box will smoke differently than a 2022 box. That’s part of the charm of Cuban cigars, honestly. They’re agricultural products, not manufactured widgets. If you get a dud, it happens. That’s why I always keep a few extras in the rotation.
Can beginners handle a Cohiba Siglo II, or is it too strong?
This is actually a great beginner cigar if you’re already past the flavored cigarillo phase. It’s medium-bodied, not overpowering, and the flavors are clear enough to identify without being subtle to the point of boring. I’ve introduced several friends to Cuban cigars with the Siglo II. Just make sure you’ve eaten something first and stay hydrated – basic cigar smoking 101 stuff.
Should I cut or punch a Siglo II?
I use a straight guillotine cut, personally. The 42 ring gauge is small enough that a punch might restrict the draw too much. Clean cut right at the cap line – you want to expose the filler without unraveling the wrapper. V-cuts work fine too if that’s your preference. Whatever you do, don’t use those cheap plastic cutters. Spend fifteen bucks on a decent blade and thank me later.
How should I store Cohiba Siglo II cigars?
Standard Cuban cigar storage – 65-68% humidity, around 65-70°F temperature. I keep mine at 65% RH personally because I like a slightly drier smoke. Too much humidity and these can get spongy, and the draw suffers. Keep them away from strong-smelling cigars too. That delicate Cohiba flavor profile can pick up aromas from heavier sticks if you’re not careful. Cedar trays help with that.
Final Thoughts on This Classic
The Cohiba Siglo II isn’t going to blow your mind with intensity or shock you with wild flavor transitions. That’s not what it’s designed to do. What it will give you is a consistently excellent, refined smoking experience that showcases why Cohiba maintains its reputation after all these years. It’s the cigar I reach for when I want to enjoy the experience without overthinking it – complex enough to stay interesting, balanced enough to never disappoint. Whether you’re building out your Cuban collection or looking for a reliable special occasion smoke, the Siglo II deserves serious consideration. Grab a few, let them rest if you’ve got the patience, and see why this particular Robusto has stayed relevant for over thirty years. You won’t regret it.
