Cohiba

The word Cohiba means Tobacco. Cobiha is a premium cigar brand that is available in mainly two varieties. First one is produced by the Habanos SA of Cuba. This variety is made of the premium grade extra fermented Cuban tobacco from the Vuelta Abajo region. This product was launched in 1968, on the special insistence of Fidel Castro, to be used by the government officials, elite people or to be used for diplomatic gifts. This is one of the most famous brands among cigar lovers. This brand has been made available to general public from 1982. This variety is not allowed to be sold in USA as it is made from Cuban tobacco. The other variety is made by The General Cigar Company who is making it in the Dominican Republic since 1978. This product does not use any Cuban tobacco and is allowed to be sold legally in USA market. Background The Cohiba Cigars, introduced in 1968, were initially used as protocol gift for the Cuban officers and the dignitaries. But from 1982, these cigars came into general distribution and initially three varieties with name Lanceros, Panetelas and Coronas Especiales were introduced. Later on other 3 varieties with name Robustos, Esplendidos and Exquisitos were also added in 1989. From 1992 the Siglo I to V were added. Brief History Though formally launched in 1968, but the Cohiba was born sometime in 1960. It is said that when one of the bodyguard offered a cigar made by a local artisan Eduardo Ribera to Castro he liked is so much that he ordered these cigars to me made as unbranded variety only for the top government officials. Accordingly these Cohiba Cigars were made under tight security for the Cuban elite. Later on or these reasons these cigars became the favorite of Cuban revolutionaries. This brand also gained popularity as being branded the best by the Che Guevara. The brand Cohiba brand was launched as official brand under control of Cubatobaco (the government agency controlling tobacco marketing) as the super-premium variety for consumption of high officials and to be used as gifts for diplomatic purposes. Later on from 1982 the Cohiba Cigars were launched in other parts of the world outside US. Initially only three sizes were launched later on added by 3 more and in the end the classic line Linea Clasica was launched. What makes Cohiba so special? These Cuban Cohibas are made from the fines Cuban tobacco as collected from the fields in San Luis and San Juan y Martinez zones of Pinar del Rio Province. Till 1992 the production of Cohiba was such a closely guarded secret that the tobacco for this premium variety was grown in 10 carefully selected 700 acre fields whose location was known only to few. Further it is said that in any year the production of only 5 of the fields was used to make the Cohiba Cigars to preserve the quality of the output of others.