Description
The Goldilocks Cigar That Gets It Just Right
So you walk into a cigar lounge – probably sometime around mid-afternoon – and you need something substantial but not overwhelming. Something that’ll last through a good conversation but won’t knock you sideways. You know what? The Cohiba Siglo III might just be the most perfect “middle child” cigar Cuba ever produced. I’m not saying that lightly.
I remember my first Siglo III. It was in 2006, at a little shop off Calle Obispo in Havana. The guy behind the counter – José, I think his name was – told me most tourists grab the Siglo VI because bigger sounds better, right? But he smoked the III himself. Every day. That stuck with me. When the locals who work with cigars for a living choose a particular vitola consistently, you pay attention.
This cigar sits right in the sweet spot of the Línea 1492 series. Not too big, not too small. Medium strength that actually means medium, unlike half the “medium” cigars out there that punch you in the face. And that classic Cohiba complexity without requiring two hours of your afternoon. Let me tell you why this might be the most versatile Cuban cigar in your humidor.
What Makes the Siglo III Special
The Cohiba brand – yeah, I know, everyone talks about it being the pinnacle of Cuban cigars, Fidel’s favorite, all that history. But forget the marketing for a second. The Línea 1492 series, introduced in (I believe) 1992 for the 500th anniversary of Columbus reaching the Americas, represented something different for Cohiba. They were creating cigars that were still premium but more accessible in terms of smoking time and intensity.
The Siglo III is where this concept really comes together. It’s a Corona Gorda – 6.1 inches by 42 ring gauge – and that format just works. The length gives the smoke enough time to develop properly, to show you what those Vuelta Abajo leaves can do. But that 42 ring gauge? That’s traditional Cuban sizing right there. Not these modern baseball bats. The thinner ring gauge means more wrapper influence, and when you’re talking about Cohiba’s wrapper – which goes through that extra fermentation process they’re famous for – you want that wrapper doing some heavy lifting in the flavor department.
This cigar is aimed at the experienced smoker who’s figured out that bigger isn’t always better. Someone who appreciates nuance over power. If you’re the type who checks your watch during a Siglo VI, or if Robustos feel rushed to you, the III might be your Goldilocks zone. It’s got enough body to satisfy without demanding you clear your afternoon schedule.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Corona Gorda |
| Length | 6.1 inches / 155 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 42 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban Ligero, Seco, Volado blend |
| Strength | Medium |
| Smoking Time | 60-75 minutes |
How This Cigar Actually Smokes
The cold draw gives you hints of what’s coming – there’s this clean, almost creamy quality to it. Some hay notes, maybe a touch of almond. Nothing aggressive. The pre-light aroma off that oily, caramel-colored wrapper is pure Cohiba – that distinctive muskiness from the extra fermentation.
First third hits you with cedar right away. Not generic wood notes – I’m talking about that specific scent you get from Spanish cedar humidor trays. Within a few minutes, you start picking up leather and this underlying sweetness. Coffee with cream, maybe? Some people get cocoa here. I usually find it more like coffee beans that haven’t been roasted yet – green, slightly nutty. The retrohale at this stage is surprisingly gentle for how flavorful the cigar is. Mild white pepper, nothing that’ll make you tear up.
Second third is where the Siglo III earns its reputation. The flavors deepen without getting heavy. That cedar backbone stays consistent – thank god, because some cigars lose their core profile halfway through – but now you’re getting these waves of complexity. Toasted almonds. A honey-like sweetness that comes and goes. Earth notes, but clean earth, not barnyard funk. The leather becomes more prominent on the retrohale. Construction has been flawless on every properly stored Siglo III I’ve smoked – razor-sharp burn line, solid white ash holding on for about an inch before dropping. The draw stays cool and easy.
Final third brings more intensity, as it should. The strength ramps up to medium-full, and you get darker flavors – espresso, dark chocolate, maybe some toast. That underlying sweetness persists though, keeping everything balanced. The retrohale gets a bit spicier here, which I actually love. Gives the finish some punch. Some cigars fall apart in the last third when the heat builds up. Not this one. I’ve smoked plenty of these down to the nub without any harshness or bitterness. That’s quality construction and tobacco selection right there.
Actually, scratch that – I did have one get bitter on me once, but I was smoking it way too fast while trying to finish it before heading into a restaurant. My fault, not the cigar’s.
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cohiba Siglo III | Medium | 60-75 minutes | Afternoon smoke with complexity |
| Partagás Serie D No. 4 | Medium-Full | 50-60 minutes | When you want more power |
| Montecristo No. 2 | Medium | 60-70 minutes | Classic torpedo experience |
What to Drink With It
Coffee works beautifully with the Siglo III – I’m talking about a good Cuban espresso if you can get it, or a cortadito. That combination of coffee and the cigar’s natural sweetness is tough to beat on a weekend morning. Yeah, morning. Don’t let anyone tell you medium-bodied cigars are only for beginners or afternoon-only affairs.
Rum is the obvious choice, and I won’t argue with it. A quality añejo like Havana Club 7 Year or Santiago de Cuba 11 Year complements those honey and spice notes perfectly. The rum’s sweetness plays well with the cigar without overwhelming it. If you’re a whisky person – and I usually am – go with something lighter. Highland Scotch works great. Glenmorangie or Dalwhinnie. You want something that won’t bulldoze the cigar’s more subtle flavors.
My personal favorite pairing? Actually, it’s champagne. I know, sounds pretentious. But a decent Brut with this cigar during a celebration is something special. The bubbles and acidity cut through the smoke beautifully, and both the wine and cigar stay complex without competing. Tried it at a wedding in Miami a few years back and it changed my mind about champagne and cigar pairings entirely.
Time and occasion – this is your early afternoon cigar. Post-lunch, sitting somewhere comfortable where you can take your time. Not a power cigar for closing business deals, not a contemplative evening smoke. It’s a conversation cigar. Something you can enjoy while actually engaging with people without losing track of what you’re smoking.
How long should I age a Siglo III before smoking it?
Honestly? If it’s from a current production box, give it at least six months. A year is better. These cigars are good young, but they really settle down and get creamy with some rest. I’ve had five-year-old Siglo IIIs that were absolutely singing. The harshness that can sometimes show up in fresh Cohibas completely disappears, and that signature sweetness becomes more pronounced.
Is the Siglo III a good cigar for someone new to Cubans?
Actually, yes – but with a caveat. If they’ve smoked medium-bodied cigars before and know what they’re doing, this is a fantastic introduction to what Cohiba does differently. The complexity is there without being overwhelming, and the strength won’t knock them sideways. But I wouldn’t hand this to someone who’s only smoked gas station cigars. That’d be like going from box wine straight to Burgundy. Maybe start them with a Montecristo No. 4, then move to this.
How does the Siglo III compare to the other cigars in the Línea 1492?
It’s right in the middle of the range in terms of both size and intensity. The Siglo II is a great quick smoke but doesn’t develop as much complexity. The IV and V are bigger, take longer, and are a bit fuller in strength. The VI is a beast – beautiful cigar but you need time and commitment. The III hits this sweet spot where you get real Cohiba character in a manageable time frame. If I could only have one vitola from the line, this would be it. Fight me.
What’s the best way to cut and light a Siglo III?
Straight cut, nothing fancy. That 42 ring gauge doesn’t need a V-cut or punch – you want a clean, open draw. For lighting, take your time. Toast the foot evenly with a torch or cedar spill, then get it going with gentle puffs. Don’t blast it with heat trying to rush the process. These cigars respond well to patience. Once it’s lit, give it a minute to settle before really drawing on it. The first few puffs will tell you if you’ve got the right burn going.
Can you smoke a Siglo III right off the truck, or does it need humidor time?
Depends entirely on where you’re buying from and how they’ve been stored. If you’re getting them directly from Cuba or a source that just received them, they might be over-humidified and need to dry down a bit – maybe 62-65% RH for a few weeks. If they’ve been sitting in a retailer’s humidor for months at proper humidity, you can smoke one right away to see what you’re working with. But really, why would you? Let them rest. Your patience will be rewarded. I’ve never regretted waiting to smoke a Cuban cigar. I’ve definitely regretted not waiting.
What’s the ideal humidity for storing Siglo IIIs long-term?
I keep mine at 62-65% relative humidity, which is lower than traditional Cuban storage recommendations. The old wisdom was 70/70, but I find these Cohibas – especially the Línea 1492 – smoke better with less moisture. They burn more evenly, the flavors are cleaner, and you avoid that ammonia taste that can show up in over-humidified cigars. Temperature matters too – keep them around 65-68°F if you can. Consistency is more important than hitting exact numbers though.
How can you tell if a Siglo III is fake?
Man, this is a whole topic. The band details matter – the hologram should be crisp, the white squares should be clearly defined, and the gold should look rich, not brassy. The wrapper should be oily with minimal veins and a consistent color. Box codes should match up with known production dates. But honestly? Buy from legitimate sources and you won’t have to become a forensics expert. The amount of fake Cohibas out there is ridiculous, especially the Siglo line. If the deal seems too good or you’re buying from someone’s “connection,” you’re probably getting fakes.
Final Thoughts on the Siglo III
I’ve probably smoked a hundred of these over the years, maybe more. Different boxes, different years, different occasions. And you know what? This cigar consistently delivers. It’s not trying to be the biggest or strongest or most complex Cuban on the market. It’s just really, really good at being what it is – a perfectly balanced, beautifully constructed corona gorda that shows you exactly why Cohiba has the reputation it does.
If you’re building a Cuban cigar rotation, the Siglo III deserves a spot. It fills that mid-afternoon niche better than almost anything else out there. Add a few to your cart, let them rest in your humidor for a while, and when you’re ready for something that won’t disappoint, reach for one of these. You’ll understand why that guy in Havana smoked one every single day.
