Cohiba Esplendidos

The Cohiba Esplendidos is one of the great Churchills of the Cuban world — measuring 178mm with a 47 ring gauge, it is the longest vitola in the standard Cohiba range and among the most prestigious cigars produced at El Laguito. Rated 95 points by Cigar Aficionado, the Esplendidos is medium to full-bodied with cedar, leather, coffee and dried fruit across a 90-minute smoke — an occasion cigar of the highest order, requiring time, patience and the right conditions to appreciate fully.

Further reading: the full Cohiba cigars guide | how cigars are made

About Cohiba

Cohiba is Cuba's most prestigious cigar brand — created in 1966 as a private blend for Fidel Castro and senior Cuban officials before becoming available to the public in 1982. Produced exclusively at El Laguito factory in Havana, Cohiba is the only Cuban brand to use a unique triple fermentation process for its ligero leaves, delivering exceptional complexity and refinement. Today Cohiba encompasses the classic Línea 1492 (Siglo I through VI), the ultra-premium Behike line incorporating the rare Medio Tiempo leaf, and the Maduro 5 range.

Tasting Notes of the Cohiba Esplendidos

The Esplendidos rewards patience — a 90-minute journey through the full complexity of Cohiba's triple-fermented blend, with each third delivering a distinct and evolving profile.

- Pre-light: Cedar, sweet tobacco and a delicate floral quality — the Cohiba aroma at its most elegant.

- First Third: Light cream and cedar open gently. The Churchill format allows the smoke to cool and develop slowly — complexity builds without rushing.

- Second Third: Coffee, leather and dried fruit emerge alongside the continuing cedar. The triple-fermented ligero delivers a characteristic creaminess that sets this apart from other Churchill vitolas.

- Final Third: Black pepper, earth and a long, sweet finish. The strength builds to medium-full by the close — the full expression of the Cohiba blend.

- Overall: Medium to full-bodied, elegant and deeply rewarding — a Churchill for special occasions.

English Market Selection.

Free UK delivery for purchases over £50.

Explore more Cohiba cigars: Cohiba Siglo IV | Cohiba Collection

Fun Facts About the Cohiba Esplendidos

The Esplendidos was one of the original Cohiba vitolas available when the brand went public in 1982 — making it one of the oldest Cohiba formats still in regular production. Its Churchill format was a natural choice for a prestige brand: long, elegant and commanding.

At 178mm, the Esplendidos is the longest cigar in the standard Cohiba range. Rolling a Churchill to Cohiba's standards requires the very finest torcedores at El Laguito — maintaining an even burn and consistent draw across 178mm of carefully selected Cuban tobacco is among the most demanding tasks in the factory.

The name "Esplendidos" — Spanish for "splendid" — reflects Cohiba's positioning at the absolute apex of Cuban cigar production when the brand was launched for public consumption in the early 1980s.

FAQ About the Cohiba Esplendidos

Is the Cohiba Esplendidos worth it?
For experienced smokers with 90 minutes and the right occasion, yes — the Esplendidos delivers a complete and deeply satisfying Churchill experience at the highest level of Cuban production. It is not an everyday cigar but an occasion smoke of exceptional quality.

How does it compare to the Siglo VI?
The Esplendidos is longer and slimmer (47 vs 52 ring gauge), delivering a more elegant, drawn-out profile. The Siglo VI is wider and more intense. Both are 90-minute smokes; the Esplendidos is the more classical, the Siglo VI the more powerful.

How long does it take to smoke?
Approximately 90 minutes at a relaxed pace.

What does EMS mean?
English Market Selection — confirming the cigars arrived via the official Habanos UK importer Hunters & Frankau and passed additional authenticity and condition checks.