Cigar Reviewed: Cohiba Royale

Smoked at: Cigars International Hamburg

91 Rated Cohiba Royale hails from the STG Factory in Danli Honduras

Available in:

Gran Royale - Short Robusto 4.5x52

Robusto Royale - 5.5x54 (This is what I lit for the review (this afternoon), and I got 1 hour 45 Minutes of enjoyment out of it.)

Toro Royale - 6x50

Iconic box that won package of the year in 2020 from Halfwheel, the third time in a row for Cohiba, where the Spectre II tied with the Habanos S.A. Romeo y Juliete Grand Churchill in 2019, (that is its similar, wherein the cigars are arched in the box and appear to be floating), and 2018 found the Cohiba Spectre getting packaging of the year. Although we shop with our eyes, we don't light up the box, so let’s talk about the cigar...

All of the tobaccos that comprise Cohiba Royale are hand-selected and aged at least 5 to 6 years.

Wrapper: Nicaraguan grown Broadleaf wrapper from Jalapa, wish is a beautiful dark brown with noticeable oils.

Binder: Dominican Piloto Cubano

Filler: Jalapa and Estelí Nicaraguan, and Jamastran Honduran Long Fillers

Double Maduro, Triple Ligero

Medium to Full (8 of 10), marking it as the fullest Cohiba to date. I will say, although strong, I don't find the Robusto to be overwhelming, I would say it is a very approachable fuller cigar.

Flavors are a solid 9 of 10 for me.

Appearance, the cigar is a beautiful dark brown with noticeable oils on the wrapper, there is some texture to the cigar, likely from the characteristics of Broadleaf veins, and likely form the binder as well, however the cigar is well rolled. I am going to stash a few of these for 3-5 years, because I think these oils are going to crystalize and create a great plume.

Most notable to me on the first third was a molasses sweetness on the smooth pre-light draw, and even some mild pepper. Once lit, the pepper is really noticeable combined with a strong leather note. There is a sweet red wine fruitiness to the retrohale, combined with a woody and toastiness on the palate. The finish is medium, with an oak note most predominate.

On the second third the pepper remains, and I think I noticed earthiness, which is likely form the Honduran filler or possibly the Broadleaf wrapper. There is also a hint of espresso on the smoke, the retro has stronger pepper, and the finish is a bit longer but still a damp oak.

The final third finds the earthiness building and I think the espresso I thought I found prior turned into a cocoa or other chocolate sweetness. As the cigar drew to an end, I found the pepper become a stronger crushed red pepper and a bit of baking spice develop…ending almost all the other notes. Since I love spicy cigars, this one fits me well.

I had no burn issues or touch-ups needed, but I did have to relight, because I was busy doing some reports and typing this at the same time.