Description
Why This Forgotten Treasure Deserves Your Attention
I’ll be honest: when I first heard about the Cohiba Sublimes back in 2004, I wasn’t sure what to think. Another limited edition Cohiba? Really? But then I got my hands on one at a lounge in Miami – think it was 2006, maybe 2007 – and realized this wasn’t just another cash grab. This cigar actually had something to say. Twenty years later, the ones that survived proper aging are smoking like absolute dreams, and I genuinely don’t understand why more people aren’t talking about them.
The Sublimes was released as part of Habanos S.A.’s Ediciones Limitadas program that year, and unlike some limited editions that feel like marketing exercises, this one brought real substance to the table. We’re talking a 54 ring gauge Sublime Extra format – substantial without being one of those ridiculous torpedoes you need an hour and a half to finish. If you’ve been sleeping on this one because you’ve never heard of it, well, that’s exactly why you should pay attention now.
What Makes the Sublimes Different From Every Other Cohiba
Cohiba needs no introduction, right? Castro’s personal stash that went commercial in 1982, gold bands, the whole nine yards. But the thing about Cohiba is – and I’m probably going to catch heat for this – not every release lives up to the hype. Some of them coast on the name alone.
The Sublimes isn’t one of those. This cigar was crafted specifically for the 2004 limited edition program, which meant a few things that actually mattered: tobacco selection from the 2001 harvest, extra fermentation time, and – this is key – darker wrapper leaves than your standard Cohiba Linea Clasica. We’re talking genuine Vuelta Abajo leaf that got an additional barrel aging treatment. The result? A Cohiba that actually tastes like it earned that premium reputation instead of just wearing it like a costume.
The Sublime Extra vitola itself has history dating back decades in Cuban cigar culture, but Cohiba hadn’t really explored it much before 2004. Smart move on their part, because this format – which is basically a shorter, fatter version of traditional pyramid shapes – lets you get maximum flavor complexity without committing to a two-hour smoke session. Perfect for someone who wants the full Cohiba experience but has, you know, a life to live.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Sublime Extra (Pyramid) |
| Length | 6.5 inches / 164 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 54 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo, 2001 harvest) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban blend (Vuelta Abajo region) |
| Strength | Medium to Full |
| Smoking Time | 90-110 minutes |
How This Cigar Actually Smokes
So you’ve clipped the head – and be careful with pyramids if you’re not used to them, easy to clip too much – and you’re taking that cold draw. First thing you notice? This isn’t your typical Cohiba sweetness right out of the gate. There’s something earthier happening here, maybe because of that darker wrapper. I get wet wood, a little bit of leather, and this underlying cocoa note that makes me think of really dark chocolate, not the milk chocolate stuff.
Light it up properly – I mean really toast that foot, don’t rush it – and the first third comes alive with this beautiful white pepper spice that sits right on the front of your palate. Not aggressive, just… present. Announcing itself. Behind that you’ve got cedar notes that remind me of opening a well-kept humidor, and there’s this cream component that smooths everything out. The retrohale at this stage? Nutmeg and toasted almonds, I swear. My buddy from the cigar club thought I was crazy when I said that, but then he tried it and admitted I was right. Felt good.
Second third is where the Sublimes really shows its pedigree. The spice mellows out – doesn’t disappear, mind you, just becomes part of the ensemble instead of leading the orchestra. What comes forward is this rich coffee flavor, specifically espresso with a little burnt sugar on the edge. There’s leather in there too, and the cocoa from earlier deepens into something more like roasted coffee beans. Actually, scratch that – it’s more like those chocolate-covered espresso beans you get at fancy shops. The construction throughout this section has been flawless on every one I’ve smoked, and I’ve gone through… hmm, probably a dozen at this point over the years? The ash holds solid to about an inch and a half before you need to tap it.
Final third is where some Cohibas can get harsh or bitter if they’re not properly aged, but the Sublimes – especially if it’s got a decade or more on it – stays remarkably composed. The strength picks up here, no question. This is where it earns that “medium to full” rating. You get more earth, more leather, and this black pepper note returns but it’s different from the white pepper at the start. Richer, deeper. The smoke gets creamier somehow, and if you’ve paired it right, this is the section where you just sit back and enjoy the ride. Don’t rush these last two inches. I’ve seen people get impatient and puff too fast, and then they complain it got hot. Well, yeah. Slow down.
How It Stacks Up Against the Competition
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cohiba Sublimes LE 2004 | Medium-Full | 90-110 min | Experienced smokers wanting complexity without intensity |
| Montecristo Sublimes LE 2008 | Medium | 85-100 min | Those preferring traditional Cuban flavor profile |
| Cohiba Piramides Extra | Medium | 75-95 min | Regular production alternative with lighter body |
What You Should Drink With This Thing
I’ve tried the Sublimes with everything from single malt scotch to espresso, and honestly? It’s pretty versatile. But if you want my real opinion – the pairing that made me actually stop mid-conversation and just focus on what was happening in my mouth – it’s aged rum. Specifically something like Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva or Ron Zacapa 23. That caramel sweetness from the rum plays beautifully with the coffee and cocoa notes in the cigar, and the rum’s complexity matches the tobacco’s without competing.
If rum’s not your thing, go with a nice Spanish coffee. Not American diner coffee – I’m talking proper café con leche or a cortado. The milk cuts through the intensity in the final third, and the coffee flavors create this echo chamber effect with the cigar that’s pretty remarkable. And timing? This is an evening cigar, no question. Late afternoon at the earliest, but really, this is what you light up after dinner when you’ve got nowhere to be and nothing to prove. Weekend cigar all the way.
How long should I age the Cohiba Sublimes before smoking?
Well, it’s already been aging since 2004, so if you’ve got one now, it’s probably ready to go. But real talk: if you can wait another year or two, do it. These cigars hit their sweet spot around the 15-20 year mark. The ones I smoked at 10 years were good, the ones at 15+ were exceptional. Your call though – they’re not going to be bad now.
Is this cigar too strong for someone newer to Cubans?
Hmm, how do I put this… It depends on what “newer” means. If you’ve only smoked Connecticut shade Dominicans, yeah, this might punch you in the face a bit. But if you’ve worked your way through some Partagas or Ramon Allones and handled those fine, the Sublimes shouldn’t overwhelm you. Just don’t smoke it on an empty stomach. Learned that lesson the hard way myself.
What makes limited edition Cohibas different from regular production?
The main things are tobacco selection and aging time. Limited editions get tobacco from specific harvests – in this case, 2001 – and the leaves go through extra fermentation. You also get darker wrapper leaves than standard Cohibas, which changes the flavor profile pretty significantly. Are they worth the premium? Sometimes yes, sometimes it’s just marketing. The Sublimes is one of the “yes” cases, in my opinion.
How should I store these if I’m keeping them long-term?
Same as any other Cuban – 65-70% humidity, around 65-68 degrees Fahrenheit. I keep mine at the lower end of that range because I find Cohibas in particular can get too moist if you go higher. And if you’ve got a box, keep it together. Don’t separate them into different humidors. There’s something about box aging that you lose when you split them up. Maybe I’m superstitious, but I’ve seen the difference.
Are there any common construction issues with this release?
I haven’t personally encountered any, and I haven’t heard widespread complaints from other members of the cigar community. The draw has been consistently excellent on every one I’ve smoked – not too tight, not too loose. Burn has been even. If you get one with issues, it’s probably a storage problem after production, not a factory defect. These were well-made cigars.
Can I still find these for sale, and are they worth hunting down?
They pop up occasionally at specialty retailers and auctions. The 2004 limited edition releases are getting harder to find as the years go by – people either smoked them or they’re sitting in private collections. Are they worth hunting down? If you’re a Cohiba enthusiast or you collect limited editions, absolutely. If you just want a great Cuban cigar and don’t care about the collectible aspect, you might be better served by something easier to find.
How does the Sublimes compare to the regular Cohiba Piramides?
The regular Piramides is shorter, lighter in body, and has that classic Cohiba sweetness throughout. The Sublimes is bigger, richer, earthier, and more complex. Think of the regular Piramides as the sophisticated choice for a business meeting, and the Sublimes as what you smoke when you’re done working and ready to actually relax. Both are excellent, but they’re serving different purposes in your rotation.
Bottom Line: Is This the Cohiba for You?
If you’re someone who thinks all Cohibas taste the same, the Sublimes will change your mind. This is what happens when Cohiba stops playing it safe and actually pushes into more robust, complex territory without losing that fundamental Cuban elegance. Twenty years of age on these things has turned them into something special – not perfect, but genuinely memorable in a way that most limited editions never achieve.
The limited edition designation means they’re getting scarce, and honestly, that’s probably not going to change. If you see one and you’ve got the means to add it to your collection, do it. Smoke one now, save the rest if you bought a box. These are the cigars that remind you why Cuban tobacco still holds its reputation after all these years. No joke – this is what premium actually means.
