Cuban vs Dominican Cohiba: Two Brands Sharing One Name
Search for "Cohiba" and you will find two completely different families of cigars. One is the Cuban Cohiba, made in Havana and distributed worldwide by Habanos S.A. The other is the non-Cuban Cohiba sold in the United States, made outside Cuba and, since February 2, 2026, sold by Scandinavian Tobacco Group through its Forged Cigar Co. division. They share a name and little else. This guide explains how that happened, what sets the lines apart, how to read a box, and how to protect yourself from counterfeits.
Why Are There Two Cohibas?
The short version is a trademark split. According to Cigar Aficionado's legal timeline, the Cuban company Cubatabaco registered the Cohiba mark in Cuba (applied 1969, granted 1972). General Cigar filed its own U.S. application on March 13, 1978 and was registered on February 17, 1981, at a time when Cuban cigars could not be sold in the U.S. because of the trade embargo.
Cubatabaco has registered the name in more than 100 other countries and sells the brand everywhere except the United States. General Cigar holds the U.S. rights and produces its own, separate Cohiba cigars.
The dispute has been in the courts for decades. In 2005 and again in 2010, the Second Circuit sided with General Cigar. In December 2022 the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ruled for Cubatabaco and ordered General's U.S. registration cancelled, citing the 1929 Inter-American Convention. General Cigar is contesting that ruling, a related suit was dismissed in May 2025, and another appeal was reported as pending. As of mid-2025, the legal picture was unresolved; treat it as such and check current news before drawing conclusions.
The Cuban Cohiba (Habanos)
The Cuban Cohiba is made entirely by hand in Havana at the El Laguito factory, according to Habanos S.A. The brand dates to 1966 (sources differ on the exact early years), began as a gift cigar for Cuban officials, and was sold to the public in limited quantities from 1982. The name comes from a Taíno word for rolled tobacco leaves. Habanos states the leaf comes from the Vuelta Abajo region of Pinar del Río.
The main Cuban lines are:
- Línea Clásica: the original vitolas, developed between 1966 and 1989
- Línea 1492 (Siglo): launched in 1992 for the 500th anniversary of Columbus's arrival, with Siglo I to V first and Siglo VI added around 2002
- Maduro 5: launched in 2007 with a wrapper aged five years
- Behike: launched in 2010 as the brand's most exclusive line, using Medio Tiempo leaf
The Non-Cuban Cohiba (Sold in the U.S.)
Since February 2, 2026, the non-Cuban Cohiba is sold by Scandinavian Tobacco Group through its Forged Cigar Co. division (per halfwheel's report on STG's portfolio shuffle); the U.S. trademark registration is held by General Cigar Co., also part of STG. It is a blend of tobaccos from several countries, not Cuban leaf. Lines reported by retailers and trade press include:
- Cohiba Red Dot: made in the Dominican Republic, with a Cameroon wrapper, an Indonesian binder and Dominican filler, according to retailer listings. The name comes from its band. Retailers also list a small Pequeños format.
- Cohiba Black: reported to use a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over a Dominican Piloto Cubano binder.
- Cohiba Nicaragua: described by retailers as built on Nicaraguan filler and binder.
- Cohiba Blue: released in 2017 as a more accessible Cohiba, with Honduran-heavy tobacco and reportedly made at General's Santiago, Dominican Republic factory.
- Cohiba Rubicon: launched August 2025, made at the HATSA factory in Honduras, with an Ecuadoran Habano wrapper, a Connecticut Broadleaf binder and Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan filler.
Blends and sizes change over time, so confirm details on the current box or with the maker.
Comparison Table
| Cuban Cohiba | Non-Cuban Cohiba | |
|---|---|---|
| Trademark holder | Cubatabaco (Cuban state company) | General Cigar Co. (U.S. registration, under dispute) |
| Distribution | Habanos S.A. | Scandinavian Tobacco Group via Forged Cigar Co. (since Feb 2, 2026) |
| Where made | Havana, Cuba (El Laguito) | Dominican Republic, Honduras and others, depending on line |
| Tobacco | Cuban leaf, Vuelta Abajo | Blends from several countries |
| Main lines | Clásica, Siglo, Maduro 5, Behike | Red Dot, Black, Nicaragua, Blue, Rubicon |
| Sold in the U.S. | Not through regular U.S. retail channels | Yes, at U.S. cigar retailers |
How to Tell Them Apart on a Box or Band
- Country of origin. Read the box. A Habanos Cohiba states it is made in Cuba ("Hecho en Cuba") and carries the Habanos S.A. markings. A non-Cuban Cohiba names its U.S. maker (General Cigar Co. or Scandinavian Tobacco Group) and a country such as the Dominican Republic or Honduras.
- Line names. If a listing says Red Dot, Blue, Black, Nicaragua or Rubicon, it is the General Cigar family. Names such as Siglo, Behike, Maduro 5 or Línea Clásica belong to the Cuban brand.
- The retailer. A U.S. store selling "Cohiba Red Dot" is selling the General Cigar product, which is a legitimate, separate cigar.
Real vs Fake Cohiba: Avoiding Counterfeits
Cohiba is one of the most counterfeited names in cigars, and the confusion between the two brands gives sellers room to mislead. A non-Cuban Cohiba sold as "the real Cuban thing" is not a counterfeit in the sense of a fake product, but it is a misrepresentation. Genuine boxes of either brand can also be targeted by forgers.
Practical steps, drawn from Cigar Aficionado and retailer guides:
- Check the Habanos seal and codes on Cuban boxes. Guides describe a warranty seal with a hologram and a box code, plus a Habanos mark on the base of the box. Habanos links an online Authenticity Check tool from its site. Some experts caution that seals and codes alone are not conclusive, since forgeries can include them.
- Be suspicious of lids that are glass or clear plastic, loose labels not attached to the packaging, and bands that look misaligned.
- Be skeptical of prices that seem too good to be true. Counterfeits rely on them.
- Look for inconsistencies inside the box: cigars of different sizes or colors.
- Buy from established, reputable sellers and ask them where the product came from. For General Cigar products, buy from authorized retailers.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
Is Cohiba Red Dot a Cuban cigar? No. Cohiba Red Dot is a General Cigar product made in the Dominican Republic.
Is Cohiba Blue or Rubicon Cuban? No. Both are General Cigar lines, with Blue made in the Dominican Republic and Rubicon in Honduras.
How many Cohiba types are there? Counting both brands, a handful in each family: four main Cuban lines (Clásica, Siglo, Maduro 5, Behike) and several General Cigar lines (Red Dot, Black, Nicaragua, Blue, Rubicon, among others).
A Note on Local Laws
Rules on purchasing, owning and importing Cuban-origin cigars vary by country and change over time, so check your local laws before buying.