The launch of the Cohiba 55 Anniversario Cigar last year was muted due to border restrictions and lockdowns. However, you can’t keep a good cigar down, especially if it’s one associated to one of the most famous Cuban brands under the Habanos portfolio. Recently, at one of the country’s top cigar smoking venues Cohiba Atmosphere Kuala Lumpur in Kota Damansara, the celebration was well and truly underway when guests showed up to commemorate this splendid 55th anniversary release in real life.
Among the key guests were Cuban ambassador Florentino Batista Gonzalez and his wife Saimi Reyes, as well as Pacific Cigar Company country manager Serena Ong. Guests quickly settled into the rhythm of the night, with a welcome Cohiba Siglo 1 paired with Cuba Libres and canapes as well as the Café Vergnano coffees – authentic Italian espressos from a lineage stretching back to 1882.
A zoom opening speech by Norio Hattori, regional marketing director of the Pacific Cigar Company quickly heightened anticipation of the evening to come, particularly the handing of the Cohiba 55 Anniversario cigar to 55 specially invited guests. At time of writing, it is estimated that a box of 10 will retail at approximately RM18,000 or more, however actual prices will only be determined when the stocks arrive by November. Only 10,000 will be produced for the world, making these boxes highly coveted.
Back at Cohiba Atmosphere Kuala Lumpur, the three-piece Nina & Friends band strummed away on the guitar and belted out some Spanish songs to crowd’s delight. Also on display just for the evening was the Zenith Chronomaster Open which celebrates the 55th anniversary of Cohiba with its recognisable colours and design such as the saffron yellows and white and black-checked motifs of its paper bands. Only 55 units of this were produced for the world, with a case-back stamped with the anniversary year and the Cohiba logo. Although somewhat belated, the celebrations of such a significant milestone for Cohiba will definitely make up for lost time with a ceremony planned for September 9 in Havana, Cuba for those looking to extend the festivities.
