Cohiba Esplendidos
The Cohiba Esplendidos is a large Cuban cigar in the Cohiba range, usually described as a churchill: seven inches long with a 47 ring gauge. It is one of the six vitolas that make up the brand's Linea Clasica.
Quick facts
| Item | What sources report |
|---|---|
| Name | Cohiba Esplendidos (also spelled Espléndido or Esplendido) |
| Brand | Cohiba (Cuban), marketed by Habanos S.A. |
| Factory vitola name | Julieta No. 2 |
| Shape | Churchill |
| Length | 7 in (about 178 mm) |
| Ring gauge | 47 (about 18.7 mm) |
| Line | Linea Clasica |
| Added to the range | 1989 |
| Construction | Long filler, hand rolled |
| Strength | Listed as medium to full by at least one retailer |
| Typical smoking time | About 60 to 90 minutes, per a retailer listing |
What is the Cohiba Esplendidos?
It is one of the six vitolas grouped as the Linea Clasica: Corona Especial, Espléndido, Exquisito, Lancero, Panetela and Robusto. Reference sources give its size as 7 inches (178 mm) long with a 47 ring gauge, and its factory name as Julieta No. 2. Retailers and Cigar Aficionado repeat those figures.
The cigar carries the Cohiba name, which began in 1966 as a limited private brand for Fidel Castro and senior officials. According to Wikipedia, it went on sale to the public in 1982.
When was the Esplendidos introduced?
Sources agree on 1989. The first three Cohiba vitolas, Panetela, Corona Especial and Lancero, were available at the 1982 launch. In 1989 the Robusto, Exquisito and Espléndido were added, completing the six sizes now grouped as the Linea Clasica. A Spanish-language source (Forbes España) places the presentation of that line at the Ritz hotel in Madrid; a more precise month was not found.
Why is it called Julieta No. 2?
Cuban cigars have two names. The factory name describes the size, and the market name appears on the box and band. Julieta No. 2 is the factory name for the 7 by 47 format; Esplendidos is the Cohiba market name for it.
What does the Cohiba Esplendidos taste like?
Tasting notes are personal impressions, not standards. The most citable professional note found is a Cigar Insider rating from February 1996, listed in Cigar Aficionado's database, which gave a box dated October 1995 a score of 91 and described "varied flavors, including nutmeg and coffee." That note is more than 30 years old and says little about boxes made today.
Retailer wording varies from seller to seller, and one listing's "medium to full" is another's "medium." Treat strength labels as rough guidance. A churchill burns slowly, and many smokers report that flavour shifts between the first and last thirds.
How long does it take to smoke?
One retailer lists 60 to 90 minutes. Cigar length, a slow pace and the draw of the individual cigar all change that, so it is best read as a rough window for an unhurried sitting.
Is it the same cigar as the Cohiba sold in the United States?
No. The Cuban Cohiba and the Cohiba sold in the United States are separate products from separate companies. This article uses "non-Cuban Cohiba" for the US brand. The right to use the Cohiba name in the United States has been the subject of long-running litigation between General Cigar and Cuba's Cubatabaco, and the case was still active at the time of writing.
More recently, Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG), which owns General Cigar, reorganised its US sales divisions. Halfwheel and Tobacco Reporter reported that, effective 2 February 2026, the non-Cuban Cohiba moved from General Cigar Co. to Forged Cigar Co. This concerns US sales structure only. It has no bearing on Cuban Cohiba vitolas such as the Esplendidos.
What is the Esplendidos Gran Reserva Cosecha 2017?
Retailers and trade press list a special edition called Esplendidos Gran Reserva Cosecha 2017, sold in boxes of 15 according to one UK retailer, with the same 7 by 47 dimensions. Cigar Aficionado reported that it uses tobacco from the 2017 harvest, with leaves aged five years, and that production was limited to 5,000 individually numbered boxes. It was first released in Switzerland in October 2024.
How can you recognise a fake Cohiba Esplendidos?
Counterfeits of this cigar are well documented. One European cigar magazine (its guide dates from 2021) lists the following points. They are the author's own observations, no single point is conclusive, and the band checks apply to bands made before 2003:
- Box: a missing factory stamp or box date on the back is a warning sign.
- Seal: a seal attached upside down or taken from another brand's box is a warning sign.
- Band: the "Habana, Cuba" line should be in bold, the black should be black rather than grey, the white squares should be square, and the COHIBA lettering should be embossed.
- Filler: genuine Cohibas are long filler. Chopped or short-filler tobacco is a sign of a fake.
- Verification: the guide suggests asking the seller to confirm a box with the official importer.
Where does it sit among Cohiba's other lines?
Cohiba includes several lines besides the Linea Clasica. Other lines include the Línea 1492 (the Siglo sizes), Maduro 5 and Behike. Those lines have different sizes, and this article does not compare them.
Can I buy Cuban cigars where I live?
Laws and rules about buying or importing Cuban cigars differ by country and sometimes by region, so check the rules that apply where you live before ordering.