Affordable Alternatives to Cohiba Cigars
Cohiba is one of the best-known and most expensive Cuban cigar brands in the world. The history of Cohiba cigars is directly linked to Fidel Castro, who, essentially, had the brand created for himself after enjoying a cigar given to him by one of his bodyguards in 1965. Cohiba has been a rare and sought-after brand since its inception in 1968. The brand wasn’t available to the general public until 1982. In 2010, the Cohiba Behike BHK 52 received a stunning 97-point rating and a coveted ‘Cigar of the Year’ title from the critics in Cigar Aficionado. The already exorbitant prices of Cohiba cigars rose even higher after the award. Today, Cuban Cohiba Behike cigars regularly sell for several hundred dollars apiece.
Cohiba Cigar Alternatives
The Cohiba cigars sold in the U.S. are made in the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. While they’re less expensive than their Cuban counterparts, they’re still quite pricey. General Cigar, parent company of Macanudo, CAO, and Punch, distributes the non-Cuban Cohiba cigars sold in the States. They regularly cost in the range of $20-30 per cigar, with limited editions, like the Cohiba Spectre, reaching the $100 vicinity. Despite their steep prices, non-Cuban Cohibas generally receive average ratings from the critics; however, the name sells the brand due to its legendary Cuban heritage. If you’re curious about Cohiba cigars but hesitant to shell out the big bucks they cost, we’ve got some worthy alternatives below.
You’ll find similar wrapper varietals and flavor profiles from today’s most beloved cigarmakers in our recommendations—and they’re all considerably less expensive than Cohiba. Explore these top-rated blends and taste how their profiles compare to the Cohibas you’ve had before.
1. Arturo Fuente Hemingway
The original Dominican-made Cohiba, also called ‘Red Dot Cohiba’ due to the brand logo, is blended from Indonesian and Dominican long-fillers finished in a Cameroon wrapper leaf. When it comes to Cameroon wrappers, though, Arturo Fuente Hemingway has long been considered one of the best Cameroon cigars available. Legendary cigarmaker Carlito Fuente blends Hemingway from a recipe of premium Dominican long-filler tobaccos finished in a toothy Cameroon wrapper in several meticulous Figurados handcrafted by the most talented rollers at the Fuente factory. Tasting notes of cedar, coffee bean, cocoa, and baking spices mingle throughout a smooth, nutty smoke.
2. Ashton VSG
Since its premiere in 1999, Ashton VSG (Virgin Sun Grown) has been one of the most sought-after Dominican cigars in the world. Master cigarmaker Carlito Fuente blends VSG from a dark and oily Ecuador Sumatra wrapper leaf over a hearty recipe of premium Dominican long-filler tobaccos following an extensive period of rest. An elaborate profile of cedar, espresso bean, black pepper, leather, and earth layers the palate in a dozen excellent sizes. The 94-rated Ashton VSG has been ranked in the ‘Top 25 Cigars of the Year’ six times by the critics in Cigar Aficionado and has earned more than fifty ratings of 90 points or higher.
3. La Aroma de Cuba Edición Especial
The 94-rated La Aroma de Cuba Edición Especial is blended by Pepin and Jaime Garcia from an oily Ecuador Habano wrapper leaf and vintage Nicaraguan long-filler tobaccos in six flawless sizes. Tobaccos grown on Garcia family estates in Estelí, Jalapa, and Namanji make up this complex smoke. Regarded for its Cubanesque taste, Edición Especial develops with notes of smoked almond, cocoa, leather, and coffee bean throughout a zesty and balanced profile. Indulge in Edición Especial in lieu of a Cuban Cohiba Behike.
4. San Cristobal Revelation
Award-winning cigarmakers Pepin and Jaime Garcia also blend and produce San Cristobal cigars, and the 93-rated Revelation has been a big hit for over a decade. Six popular sizes unfold in a medium-bodied profile of smoked almond, cedar, cocoa, and cinnamon with a touch of black pepper. An oily Ecuador Sumatra wrapper leaf surrounds a sophisticated interior of well-aged Nicaraguan long-filler tobaccos grown and aged by the Garcia family. If you enjoy the taste of Cohiba Nicaragua blend, Revelation will surpass your expectations.
5. New World Cameroon by AJ Fernandez
There are so many AJ Fernandez cigars to choose from these days, but if you’ve been a fan of Cohiba, New World Cameroon is a solid place to start. This full-bodied smoke is stronger than the original Cohiba blend, but it’s also drawn from a hearty Cameroon wrapper leaf. Underneath is a robust recipe of long-filler tobaccos grown by AJ on his Nicaraguan estates and matured for maximum smoothness. Notes of cocoa, cedar, wood, and coffee bean stimulate the taste buds with an undercurrent of spice in a series of popular sizes.
