The CohibaRoyale follows in the footsteps of the Cohiba Silencio and Cohiba Spectre in terms of pricing and packaging. While the Spectre cost $90, the Royal is still a super-premium cigar at $24-$29.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
General Cigar describes the CohibaRoyale as their fullest bodied Cohiba to date. The blend uses a Nicaraguan broadleaf wrapper from Jalapa, a Dominican piloto cubano binder, and fillers from the Jamastran region of Honduras and Nicaragua's Jalapa and Estelí regions. Each tobacco leaf has five to six years of age. This is the first Cohiba rolled at General Cigar Co.'s STG Danlí factory in Honduras. Most Cohiba's are rolled at General Cigar Dominicana in Santiago, with the exception of Silencio from STG Estelí in Nicaragua. CohibaRoyale comes in three vitolas: Gran Royale (4 1/2 x 52) – $23.99, Royale (5 1/2 x 54) – $25.99, Toro (6 x 50) – $28.99. All come in boxes of 10 featuring an arched display tray that makes the cigars looks like they're floating, a style that was also seen on Habanos S.A.'s Romeo y Julieta Grand Churchills humidor.
Flavor: 89 Strength: Medium-Strong Body/Complexity: Medium
“Off the bat, charred notes of dark cherries, leather, and baking spices make for an interesting and intriguing combination. Lightly tinted grey ash forms as this medium profiled cigar smokes wonderfully in terms of draw and burn. Nearing the end of this third, a very nice chocolate covered cherry flavor spawns a wonderful menagerie of delicious flavor.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“Initial puffs greet me with cloves, walnut and cherry. A bit of dryness to the profile, but yet it makes my mouth water a bit from the flavors themselves. Brown sugar sweetness and red pepper heat connect for a pairing on the retro I wasn't expecting. Not complaining though.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
“Getting into the second third of this cigar, I was beginning to pick up a charred flavor that became bitter as the burn line progressed. It was not pleasant to me but may not be bad to others. I smoked on though and the charred flavor subsided somewhat leaving me with less sweet dark fruit and spice blend I was growing accustomed to. The draw at this point was spot on with a mostly straight burn line. I'm hoping the sweetness returns for the final third.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“Metallic tingle is gone now. A cherry/apricot minute sweetness barely detectable through the nose is a nice addition, leather departs still have cream and wood and a black pepper note that is intensifying. Burn did correct itself.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Flavor: 82 Strength: Strong Body/Complexity: Medium
“Coming into the last third, fuller medium bodied notes of leather and char dominate and take over the palette. This profile only gets stronger and stronger in body and strength until the cigar is ready to be put down.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“Dry walnuts and black pepper are what have remained for quite some time now. Not very pleasing at all.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 93
“From the dry draw to the final puff, the draw on this cigar was excellent.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
Burn: 91
“Had a pretty wavy start but corrected itself just had a hard time getting started I suppose.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Construction: 88
“This was a very well constructed cigar. Invisible seams and tightly applied cap to start with and a great draw and burn line for the entirety of the smoking experience.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“A very boxable cigar if the construction issues could be taken care of and even if they aren't taken care of I would still buy a box.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“This cigar could have easily rated much higher if the flavor profile fit my likes better. The first third was the shining star and I would have really enjoyed it if it had remained consistent. The charred notes which crept in from time to time gave it a bitterness I just didn't enjoy. If you like the burnt wood campfire taste in your cigar, this will be right up your ally. An Islay Scotch or Stout would pair well with one.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“What a disappointing cigar……It's a real shame to look forward to a cigar and then to be let down……the only flavors this cigar offered me was wood and burnt tobacco….that's it! No coffee, cream, spice, nuts…nothing. Sorry, but just doesn't please my palate maybe you like a cigars like this, but I prefer a variation of flavors….or if you're going to be one dimensional at least give me a somewhat interesting flavor. I honestly pitched it with about 2 inches left….why bother?” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Overall, a decent cigar with very good flavors, body, and some decent complexity. I'd smoke this one if it is affordable as an everyday smoke, but not something I'd load up on boxes with. Definitely worth checking out though!” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“Wasn't a big fan of this one at all. Flavors started out decent enough, but were way too muted and the overall dryness really ruined the experience.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
"Overall, a decent cigar with very good flavors, body, and some decent complexity. I'd smoke this one if it is affordable as an everyday smoke, but not something I'd load up on boxes with. Definitely worth checking out though!" -John A. (Bostoneo)
