Cohiba Lanceros – diplomatic box

A living legend in Cuban cigar history: the Lancero is considered the first Cohiba cigar and thus stands for the beginnings of what is now arguably the world's most legendary cigar manufacturer.

In the 1960s, Fidel Castro's bodyguard Bienvenido "Chicho" Pérez offered him a fragrant cigar in an unusual format – and Castro was immediately taken with its exceptional taste. Shortly afterwards he met Eduardo Rivera, a torcedor and friend of his bodyguard, who became Castro's personal cigar roller. In 1964 Rivera founded a small factory – the forerunner of the famous El Laguito in Havana – whose cigars were initially intended exclusively as gifts for Cuba's state guests and high-ranking diplomats. Eight hand-picked female rollers worked there, including Norma Fernández, who coined the name Cohiba in 1966 – laying the foundation for a unique Habanos S.A. brand.

With an impressive length of almost 20 cm and a slim 38 ring gauge, the Lancero is undoubtedly the most striking and extravagant format in Cohiba's famous Línea Clásica. The world-class expertise in quality and craftsmanship is reflected in every puff of the Lanceros: the carefully selected tobacco leaves from the renowned Vuelta Abajo region undergo a triple fermentation for the Línea Clásica and thus develop remarkably fine, pure and at the same time intense aromas.

With every puff, the Lancero proves that a Cuban creation of this size need not be overpowering – there is no heaviness here. A highly complex, top-class pleasure to which not only Fidel Castro succumbed. To this day this Cohiba has an elite aura and embodies what is probably the most legendary statement of cigar enjoyment, captivating aficionados time and again with its incomparable charm.

As far as we know, these are VIP boxes or so-called diplomatic gifts, which are given to government officials and selected VIPs.