Cohiba Serie M Reserva Roja (2024)

General Cigar Company continues its annual Serie M line with El Titán de Bronze for the fourth year in a row, presenting cigar smokers with the Cohiba Serie M Reserva Roja. In the three previous years (2021, 2022, and 2023), the cigar blends were fairly similar, showing just variations in sizes. The 2024 release still sports the same Corojo wrapper. However, it brings to the table a brand new blend, size, and color scheme. This collaboration between Miami-based cigar factory El Titán de Bronze and General Cigar Co. has been a successful one. The relationship continues to bring cigar smokers new releases from a major brand, all made in Little Havana on Calle Ocho.

“With Cohiba Serie M Reserva Roja, the collective expertise of El Titan de Bronze and the mastery of our Cohiba team comes to life in an artisanal blend that was created to deliver a memorable smoking experience.”—Sean Williams, brand ambassador for Cohiba

Announced in March 2024 and released on April 1st, the Cohiba Serie M Reserva Roja is a luxury cigar with limited release. This year, only 2,500 boxes were made available, a significant decrease in production rom the prior three years, when 40,000–50,000 cigars were manufactured each year.

Cohiba Serie M Reserva Roja (2024) Breakdown

Appearance

The Reserva Roja displays bands similar to those of the previous years, with the exception of the secondary band. In prior years, the second band said “MIAMI-USA,” while the current cigar shows “2024 RESERVA ROJA.” The main band is a traditional (non-Cuban) Cohiba band, sporting a reddish brown background, differing from the green background of the other years’ bands. It has a fantail cap, and the wrapper is a smooth, worked-leather color, showing minimal veins and seams that are slightly visible to the eye.

The cigars are sold in 10-count boxes, which have a rosewood color to them. The Cohiba Serie M Reserva Roja logo with the gold Art Deco-inspired shell motif pattern is displayed on a reddish brown background. Overall, the boxes give off an elegant, retro ’70s vibe.

Smoking Experience

Prior to cutting, the cigar gives off the aroma of coffee with some notes of cinnamon. After a straight cut, the cold draw produces mild pepper and anise flavors. With a proper toast to the cigar, there is a rush of salty musk that pours over the palate, along with some light notes of a bitter espresso. The retrohale produces a slightly spicy, hot black peppercorn flavor. There is a lighter, dry texture to the smoke from the start.

Throughout the smoking experience, the burn line is slightly wavy, requiring some mild touch-ups. The smoke output is very light in texture and white in appearance. Meanwhile, the construction is quite solid, having a firm feel. The ash forms a solid stack, displaying a dark gray color with minimal white or light gray streaks. It remains intact for approximately 2.2 centimeters. However, with its loose draw, it seems to lead to a faster and slightly hotter burn.

As the smoke continues and I reach the middle and end of the cigar, the salty musk flavor persists, but as a pleasant surprise, the bitter espresso changes to a light powdered chocolate milk flavor. The retrohale develops a pleasing rosemary aroma, leaving behind the black peppery flavor. Overall, the flavors are light and refined, making for a well-balanced and enjoyable cigar.

Would I Smoke This Cigar Again?

Cohiba Serie M Reserva Roja has the look of a retro 1970s luxury-status cigar, with the price point to match. This year’s tweak in both the appearance and blend is an added bonus for what now seems to be an annual, limited release (as opposed to the simple size changes in previous years). The primary flavor notes were salty musk and light powdery chocolate milk, with the retrohale having black pepper and rosemary flavors. It’s a nice enough cigar, but at the luxury price, I would most likely pass on this one.

• The previous years’ Cohiba Serie M blend was Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper, a non-specific Nicarguan binder, and Dominican (Piloto Cubano) and Nicaraguan (Jalapa & Estelí) fillers.
• The cigar’s box lists added info on the blend, including fillers of Criollo ’98 seco, dulce viso, negrito ligero, and Fernández ligero.
• Previous sizes: 2021 Toro (6″ x 52), 2022 Corona Gorda (6½” x 48), and 2023 Prominente (7″ x 50).
• On Dojoverse, the Reserva Roja has a “100% Smokable” rating, ranking in the bottom 72 percent of cigars on the all-time leaderboard.

Short Link: