COHIBA cigars comparison: 2011 vs. 2022
COHIBA comparison. Discover the secret factors that make the difference between the COHIBA Robusto cigars from the 2011 and 2022 vintages and which factors contribute to the different flavours. Read this article and find out why each cigar is unique. Also find out how harvest conditions, storage and craftsmanship affect the flavour. Learn more about the storage and quality of Cuban cigars and experience a fascinating journey through the world of cigars.
With the kind support of: zigarren-online.ch, Regensdorf, Switzerland.
Table of contents
The test: Cohiba Robusto comparison 2011 vs 2022
The box dates are SEP 2011 and SEP 2022 and I tested the cigars in April 2023, so this is a cigar that has been aged for almost 11.5 years and a cigar that is about 8 months young. Here are my impressions.
The next two photos below: COHIBA BD SEP 11 on the left, BD SEP 22 on the right. Note the difference in size and the different anillas (cigar rings).
Cohiba Robusto BD SEP 11
The COHIBA Robusto with BD SEP 11 is an excellent choice and is almost 11.5 years old when tested. The wrapper leaf is silky and has some green fermentation spots. These are very small and barely recognisable in the photos. The construction is even and the medium brown colour gives the cigar an appealing appearance.
Photo below: To check the construction, roll the cigar between your fingers from top to bottom (several times).
A slightly woody flavour is perceptible when cold drawn. Lighting is easy and the draw resistance is optimal. The burn is even and the strength is 2/5 in the first 5 minutes. The flavour is intense, but pleasant and remains a positive memory.
The next two photos below: I like to open cigars with a flat head with a knife. I only cut off the top part of the cap and remove the lid. The cigar is already cut at the factory. This way, all the channels are open and not squeezed by the cutting tools. (Unless your cutting tools are super sharp and don't crush).
First and second half
The smoke flavour remains round and rich throughout the smoking process. In the first half, light straw and pepper notes as well as beautiful cocoa and wood nuances unfold. The flavour increases steadily until the finale. In the second half, the cigar becomes stronger and reaches a strength level of 3/5. The ash is compact from start to finish and burns straight. I am curious to see how the Cohiba will fare in a comparison from 2022.
Photo below: I usually light the cigars with the soft flame. It's somehow more dignified and slower for me. I like that.
The circumference of the cigar has shrunk slightly over the years. This may be a sign that the cigar has probably been perfectly stored over the years. The burn edge is thin and the harmonious balance is emphasised by a slightly grassy undertone, which is typical of COHIBA cigars. Overall, this cigar is an excellent example of the quality of mature Cuban cigars.
Cohiba Robusto BD SEP 22
Looking at the cigar, I notice that the wrapper is oily and even and has a beautiful medium brown colour. A grassy and acidic note is perceptible on the cold draw, which could indicate an intense flavour. Am I right? I like this Cohiba comparison!
The cigar is easy to light, but the draw resistance is too light for me personally. In the first 5 minutes of smoking, the cigar burns evenly and the strength is already at 3/5. The flavour is somewhat acrid and the finish is intense and scratchy. The smoke smells spicy and the flavour is quite grassy and a little peppery.
While smoking, the flavour remains slightly acidic and somewhat bitter. Even in the first half, the cigar becomes quite pungent and spicy. I could hardly make out any different flavours as with the Cohiba BD SEP 11. Very woody and very grassy at best. And of course scratchy and with time it becomes too spicy for me.
Burning is difficult and the cigar goes out quickly. A thick burn edge and an irregular burn require constant straightening with fire. Do a Cohiba comparison too!
However, this is not a fault of the cigar, but a clear sign that Cuban cigars need time to mature. The COHIBA Robusto, BD SEP 22 is still very young and needs at least five years of ageing in the right environment to develop its full splendour.
So if you have a COHIBA that is less than 5 years old, leave it in its cigar box. Be patient and give it time to develop fully. With the right storage, you can be sure that this cigar will become a real pleasure after about five years of ageing. That's it, my Cohiba comparison.
Background knowledge on the ageing of Cuban cigars
Cigars are a natural product that is influenced by many factors. For example, the harvesting conditions, the type of storage and the craftsmanship of the cigar rollers. This means that every cigar can be unique, even if it comes from the same brand.
The difference between the COHIBA 2011 and 2022 is due to several factors. Tobacco changes over the years, which affects the flavour of Cuban cigars. Cuba has too few resources. The tobacco cannot mature as long as in other countries. It has to be on the market quickly. This is why fresh Cuban cigars are often very aromatic and harmonious in the first 2-4 months.
Photo below: In this photo, the covers of both vintages look oily. This is deceptive. The Cohiba with the BD SEP 11 (left) clearly does not feel oily, but silky. The wrapper of the cigar with the BD SEP 22, on the other hand, was oily.
Maturation storage
The tobacco then begins to mature. The cigar needs to rest and the humidity in the humidor should not be too high. At a humidity of 72% and above, the Cuban tobacco may mature more quickly and become musty. The ideal is 69%. And the temperature? Very few cigar lovers have a cellar at 18 degrees Celsius, but store their cigars in the living room. But let's not make a science out of it. Just make sure you store Cuban cigars in a separate humidor. In summer, you can leave the lid open a little and monitor the temperature.
Cuban cigars are best stored together with the box. If you buy individual cigars, place them either in an aluminium tubo or in a plastic bag (e.g. freezer bag). This helps the cigar to develop and mature well in the microclimate. As I said, it is best to put the whole box in the humidor.
The quality of the harvest also influences the flavour of the cigar. This can lead to cigars from different years having slightly different flavour profiles.
I hope you enjoyed my latest article and found the information it contained interesting. I am very excited to hear your views and look forward to reading your comments 🤗
Resources on the topic
A large selection of Cohiba You can buy cigars in the shop at zigarren-online.ch
Do you want to take your cigar reviews to a new level? Then download the free Cigars.Zone Tasting Tool down.
Helpful cigar tips: From „retronasal“, „R+ technique“ and „umami“ to the difference in cigar storage between Non Cuba and Cuba
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Hi Vasilij Thank you for your message my Cohiba Robusto both have the BD Sept 2020.
What exactly do you mean by sick phase, I've never heard of it? The cigar develops neither draw nor smoke despite the metal drill as a draw aid LGAdi
Your Cohibas are now in the middle of the sick phase, so they may be pulling poorly. They now urgently need a resting or maturing period. Tobacco changes over the years, which affects the flavour of Cuban cigars. Cuba has too few resources. The tobacco cannot mature as long as in other countries. It has to be on the market quickly. This is why fresh Cuban cigars are often very aromatic and harmonious in the first 2-4 months.
Maturation storage:
The tobacco then begins to mature. The cigar needs to rest and the humidity in the humidor should not be too high. At a humidity of 72% and above, the Cuban tobacco may mature more quickly and become musty. The ideal is 69%. And the temperature? Very few cigar lovers have a cellar at 18 degrees Celsius, but store their cigars in the living room. But let's not make a science out of it. Just make sure you store Cuban cigars in a separate humidor. In summer, you can leave the lid open a little and monitor the temperature.
Cuban cigars are best stored together with the box. If you buy individual cigars, place them either in an aluminium tubo or in a plastic bag (e.g. freezer bag). This helps the cigar to develop and mature well in the microclimate. As I said, it is best to put the whole box in the humidor.
The quality of the harvest also influences the flavour of the cigar. This can lead to cigars from different years having slightly different flavour profiles.
Hello Vasilij Thank you ? for your detailed answer LGAdi ??
Ahoy Adi, you're welcome.
Hi Vasilij Thank you for your exciting comparison of the Cohiba vintages ? I only recently had an extremely young Cohiba Siglo 6 with BD Nov.2022 which was already very nice but it still lacked some refinement that I know and appreciate in older BD.
I have 2 boxes of Cohiba Robusto that can be described as closed or clogged throughout, can anything be saved or were they possibly not stored well (too dry) before my purchase if they are so closed/leaky/tight. They have actually been stored well for 6 months in original boxes at approx. 68% LGAdi
Hello Adi, Cuban cigars that draw poorly are usually an indication that they are either stored too moist (which is obviously not the case with you), or that the tobacco of the cigar is currently „working“ and is in the „sick phase“. Let's stay with the Cohiba Robusto. A maturation period of around four to five years should be aimed for (calculated from the boxing date, the stamp on the back of the box with the month and year). The fact that your Cohibas are always clogged from both boxes could indicate the sick phase, or that your hygrometer is faulty and the humidity in the humidor is much higher. What is the boxing date of the two boxes? LG, Vasilij
What amazes me most is the shrinking process.
I'm not surprised that the feel, flavour and aroma of tobacco has changed in 11 years. Apart from the rolling technique, everything has changed in this time. Some of it positive and some negative, and not just in tobacco.
Nevertheless, an interesting report. My compliments!
Hi Roli, that's interesting that they've shrunk... But in my opinion they haven't shrunk, otherwise the circumference would have had to be smaller too. Maybe they were just cut too much at the foot in this batch from 2011.