The Difference between a Cuban Cohiba Cigar and Dominican Cohiba Cigar
When thinking of Cuban cigars, there is one name that pops into the head of all seasoned Habanos cigar smokers. That name is Cohiba. For half a century, Cuban Cohibas have been among the highest rated and most revered Cuban cigar brands on the market. For being the most popular and well-known Cuban cigar in the world, Cohiba has a quite unique past.
Unlike other Cuban cigar brands such as Romeo y Julieta or Partagas, the start of the Cuban Cohiba brand was relatively late. In fact, it is one of the first Cuban cigars created after the Cuban revolution. A local cigar roller was crafting hand-rolled Cuban cigars in his house and selling them to Fidel Castro’s bodyguard. One day he gave one of these premium Cuban cigars to Fidel, who instantly fell in love with the blend. He turned this man’s house into the El Laguito Factory, where Cohiba Cuban Cigars are still made today. For many years the Cuban Cohiba was made only for Fidel Castro and a few close friends who were also Habanos aficionados.
In 1968, the state sponsored Cubatobaco formerly launched the brand onto the world cigar market. Cohiba comes from the ancient Taino word for tobacco. These cigars were to be produced on a limited scale and to be of higher quality than any other Cuban cigar. In the early 1980s, Cuba really made a push to make the Cuban Cohiba a full production line, making it more readily available in the world’s Cuban cigar stores.
With the Cuban Cohiba being completely under Cuban control with no immediate copyright or trademark problems, in 1978, the name was taken by General Cigar and registered for distribution in the United States. Calling them the Red Dot Cohibas and using exclusively Dominican tobacco, The Dominican Cohiba brand became immensely popular during the boom of the 1990s and remains a top of the line Dominican cigar even to this day.
The only real difference between the Cuban and Dominican Cohiba cigar is just where the tobacco is rolled. They are both high quality, premium cigars. If you live in the US, there are no Cuban Cigars near you, however, you can go to JR Cigars right now to enjoy the Dominican version of the legendary Cohiba Cigar. While you are there, check out the Nicaraguan Cohiba cigars too!
Hear from our cigar aficionado and his break down the differences of the two types origins:
Browse a great range of Cohiba Cigars.
When I was in the D.R. a few years back, I bought a cigar from one of the peddlers roaming the beaches. I distinctly remember it having the yellowish-orange label. I remember the peddler bragging about it being a “real Cuban”. Now, I don’t know if it was truly a Cuban Cohiba, or it was a fraud. What I DO know is, it was one of the most amazing things I have ever tasted. At that point, I was convinced it was authentic. Fast forward to today. In just a few short weeks, I will be visiting Cuba. I hope to bring enough cash with me to bring home a variety of genuine Cuban cigars, since I am the only person I know who will have traveled to Cuba. I DO have a few cigar enthusiasts in my inner circle though, so most of what I bring home will be for them – not that they have asked. Great article! BTW – I’m a cigar rookie, but will be purchasing my first humidor before my trip ?
100% a fake if bought from a beach peddler in DR.
In Cuba, buy only from LCDH stores – almost anything else will be a fake.
Have a fantastic trip!