For serious cigar collectors, few releases command as much reverence as the Cohiba Sublimes Extra. Unveiled in 2008, this remarkable cigar emerged as the eighth chapter in Habanos S.A.'s illustrious Colección Habanos series—a program dedicated to pushing the boundaries of traditional cigar craftsmanship. With a global production run capped at just 1,000 individually numbered boxes, the Sublimes Extra transformed from a premium smoke into a genuine artifact almost the moment it left the El Laguito factory floor.
The Colección Habanos Legacy
Habanos S.A. designed the Colección Habanos series as a showcase for formats that exist outside the standard production catalog. Rather than offering yet another variation on familiar dimensions, this collector-focused initiative presents entirely unique vitolas that might never see regular production. The Sublimes Extra joined an elite lineage of special releases, each representing the pinnacle of Cuban tobacco artistry.
By 2008, the series had already established itself as the premier avenue for limited-edition Cuban cigars. The Sublimes Extra arrived during a particularly strong period for the collection, reinforcing Cohiba's reputation as the crown jewel of Cuban tobacco brands. Each release in this series serves a dual purpose: satisfying the demands of passionate aficionados while demonstrating the technical capabilities of Cuba's master rollers.
Dimensions and Specifications
The Sublimes Extra presents itself with imposing proportions that immediately signal a substantial smoking experience. The following specifications define this exceptional format:
- Factory Name: Sublimes Extra
- Ring Gauge: 54
- Length: 184 mm (approximately 7¼ inches)
- Official Weight: 18.68 grams
- Band: Standard band D
These measurements combine to create a cigar of considerable heft and presence. The 54 ring gauge places this vitola firmly in the robusto extra category, while the extended length ensures a smoking session that can easily exceed two hours for the patient enthusiast. At nearly 19 grams, the density of the roll speaks to the meticulous attention given to construction at every stage.
Artistry at El Laguito
Every Sublimes Extra rolled off the benches of Havana's legendary El Laguito factory, the historic birthplace of Cohiba and home to Cuba's most skilled torcedores. The factory's reputation for excellence is well-earned—only the most experienced rollers handle the brand's premium offerings, and the Colección Habanos releases demand the absolute apex of that talent pool.
Handmade construction throughout ensures that each cigar meets Cohiba's uncompromising standards. The substantial ring gauge requires expert leaf selection to maintain proper draw and combustion, while the generous length tests a roller's ability to create consistent density from foot to cap. The standard band D maintains visual continuity with Cohiba's distinguished identity, allowing the exceptional format to speak for itself rather than relying on flashy presentation.
Presentation and Scarcity
Habanos S.A. housed the Sublimes Extra in an elegant book-shaped boîte nature box containing 20 cigars. The presentation elevates the unboxing experience to something ceremonial—the individually numbered boxes transform each purchase into an acquisition of a specific piece of tobacco history. Collectors who secured one of the thousand boxes produced worldwide now possess an increasingly difficult-to-locate treasure.
The secondary market has treated the Sublimes Extra with the reverence such limited releases command. As years pass, opened boxes become rarer still, as few collectors possess the will—or the opportunity—to smoke through such a precious allocation. The 2008 release represents a particular sweet spot in modern Cuban cigar history: produced during an era when quality control at El Laguito remained exceptional, yet scarce enough to drive sustained collector interest.
For those fortunate enough to experience the Sublimes Extra, the format offers more than prestige—it delivers a smoking experience that simply cannot be replicated through standard production lines. That combination of exclusivity, craftsmanship, and genuine smoking pleasure ensures this Cohiba release will remain a benchmark for collectors for decades to come.
