Cohiba Riviera Robusto – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Last April, in their first new regular production cigar since 2020, Cohiba introduced the Riviera. This blend stands out as not only Cohiba's first venture into Mexican San Andrés wrapper, but also the brand's first box-pressed offering.

Crafted at STG Estelí in Nicaragua, the Riviera combines a Honduran-grown Connecticut binder and a blend of fillers that includes Honduran Jamastran and La Entrada leaves, along with Nicaraguan Condega and Estelí tobaccos. The cigar is available in three sizes: Robusto (5” x 52), Toro (6.5” x 52), and Perfecto (6” x 60), with the Robusto and Toro presented in boxes of 20 and the Perfecto in boxes of 10. Prices range from $19.99 to $23.99 per cigar.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua
Factory: STG Estelí
Blender: Sean Williams
Number of reviewers: 5 – Jessica (Stogie Sister) Sean F. (fullermaine) Chris M. (Chris) Lauren S. (Lauren S.) Bill C.(Bill)
Price: $19.99
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: May 2023
Contributed by: General Cigar

Initial Impressions – Cohiba Riviera Robusto

Appearance: 96

“This paper bag brown robusto has a pretty even soft box press. The hue is inconsistent, lighter at the foot, and darker at the head. A light tooth and a few small veins decorate the wrapper. The cap is a nicely placed double.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Aroma: 92

“Smells like potting soil. Rich and earthy. Slightly dank.” –Bill C. (Bill)

First Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The first puffs of this cigar scream pepper bomb. It's pure black pepper spice immediately kicking into the palate. As the pepper slightly backs off, the primary flavors open into a nice semi-sweet chocolate and leather. While moving through the first third of the cigar, there are occasional hints of anise and espresso. While only a solid medium in strength, this is a robust, full-flavored stick.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

“Toasted marshmallow notes are coming through in this portion of the cigar.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

Second Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Flavors finally pick up a little throughout this third. A nice milk chocolate joins the white pepper and earthiness. I really enjoy the flavors but they are so light I have to take care not to hotbox it.” –Bill C. (Bill)

“The second third picks up some in strength as the pepper remains a big part of this blend, especially on the retro-hale. The semi-sweet chocolate has moved toward classic dark chocolate, and some espresso notes are also coming through. The leather remains prominent, and various supporting notes keep shifting between anise, cinnamon, nuts, and other baking spices, making this a complex but wonderfully melded blend.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Final Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Very consistent profile from start to finish, once that black pepper entered the picture. Still getting charred leaves, earth, and black pepper with a molasses retrohale.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister)

“Flavors stay pretty steady between the second third and this final third. The earthiness darkens up throughout this third and becomes rather overpowering to all other flavors by the time I put down the hot nub.” –Bill C. (Bill)

Overall Impressions – Cohiba Riviera Robusto

Draw: 94

“No complaints here. Slightly looser than preferred, but nothing problematic.” –Bill C. (Bill)

Burn: 96

“With the exception of a minor touch-up at the end, a nice even burn.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

Construction: 96

“I can always appreciate a cigar that needs no attention after lighting it up. It might not have the most appealing looking wrapper, but it made up for that in the performance.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 92

“If you like a straightforward profile, this cigar is for you. Not too mild but will not knock you down either.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister)

“This cigar has the holidays in it. With notes of oak, dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow, peanuts, and cedar. A very delicious cigar. Perfection from start to finish, with only a minor touch-up needed. This would be a cigar I'd share with friends to bring in the holidays. A cigar I'd like to have in my humidor.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

“While there was a lot going on throughout this experience, it was pretty earth-heavy. Whereas that is not a profile I gravitate toward on a regular basis, this one was very well-balanced, and smooth. I did find it to be a pleasant smoking experience, which was definitely aided by excellent construction.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“This blend is made for my palate; part of me even wants to guess the blender based on the flavor profile alone. A solid pepper bomb opens the stick, then mellows slightly but picks up strong by the end of the cigar again. It is a remarkably full-flavored blend all the way through with a nice semi-sweet chocolate that transitions into more dark chocolate along with a bit of espresso. Complex flavors of leather, nuts, cinnamon, anise, and other baking spices blend and transition beautifully throughout the smoke. This is the kind of cigar I'd buy boxes of, and if you have a similar palate to mine, you'll want to try this cigar.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

“I just wanted more out of the flavor package. The performance gets good marks and the flavors themselves were right in my wheelhouse, I'd just prefer they were a bit stronger as I found myself really having to focus on enjoying them.” –Bill C. (Bill)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 70

To view the complete scores and notes, click here

Cohiba Riviera Robusto – Blind Cigar Review