AshMap
Overview
There is a particular kind of courage in naming a cigar 'Short' when the name on the band carries the weight of a legend. This is not the Cohiba of Havana's El Laguito, nor does it pretend to be. The Short by Cohiba Robusto is a deliberate exercise in restraint, a cigar that understands its role is not to challenge but to welcome. From the first cold draw, the message is clear: this is a leaf engineered for approachability. The Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper, a pale golden tan with a silky, almost waxy sheen, offers a faint scent of sweet hay and a whisper of almond paste, promising a session that will not demand your full attention but will reward the time you give it.
The opening third unfolds with a gentle, creamy exhalation that coats the palate in a soft blanket of toasted almonds and mild cedar. There is a distinct, almost ethereal sweetness here—think of the light cream skimmed from the top of fresh milk, or the dry, grassy aroma of a sun-bleached hayfield. The pepper is not just minimal; it is virtually absent, a phantom limb that never materializes. This is a smoke that begins with a handshake, not a gauntlet thrown. As the ash column builds, the draw reveals itself to be almost suspiciously effortless, a touch too open for those who prefer to work for their smoke, but undeniably user-friendly for its intended audience.
Moving into the second third, the narrative shifts from simple cream to a more textured story. A gentle nuttiness emerges, not the sharp bite of a walnut but the softer, rounder character of a macadamia or a blanched hazelnut. This is joined by a supple, mild leather note—the smell of a well-worn driving glove, not a new saddle—and a curious, drying element of white tea that adds a subtle, grassy complexity to the retrohale. The creaminess remains the dominant thread, a constant bass note that holds the composition together. The blend is consistent and undemanding, a quality that is by design, ensuring that the experience never veers into the challenging or the unexpected.
The final third delivers a subtle, satisfying shift in gravity. The wood notes intensify, moving from mild cedar to a drier, more assertive oak, and a new layer of dry earth emerges, reminiscent of potting soil after a light rain. The cream begins its graceful retreat, fading into the background as a hint of mild spice—a gentle, warming cinnamon rather than a sharp chili—and a toasted grain note, like the crust of a fresh baguette, rounds out the experience. The finish is clean and short, leaving no lingering residue or demanding a glass of water. It is a smoke that concludes with a polite nod, a quiet exit that respects the time you have allotted for it. This is not a cigar of profound complexity, but it is a masterclass in consistency and intention, a gateway product that wears its storied name with a surprising degree of honesty.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade — Natural |
|---|---|
| Binder | Dominican Republic |
| Filler | Dominican Republic long-leaf filler blend |
| Country of Origin | Santiago, Dominican Republic |
| Vitola / Shape | Robusto |
| Size | 5 x 52 |
| Strength | Mild-Medium |
| Price | $12–$16 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Minimal stated aging; General Cigar Company production targets accessible, approachable profile |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
Light, creamy notes of toasted almonds and mild cedar open the smoke. There is a subtle sweetness — think light cream and hay — that makes for an approachable, non-threatening introduction. Pepper presence is minimal, almost absent.
Second Third
The center third introduces a gentle nuttiness alongside mild leather and a touch of white tea. Creaminess persists as the dominant thread. The blend remains consistent and undemanding, which is by design.
Final Third
The final third delivers a slight uptick in wood and dry earth tones, with the cream beginning to fade. A hint of mild spice and toasted grain rounds out the experience without ever crossing into complexity. Finishes clean and short.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is consistent given machine-made production; the draw is typically effortless — almost too open. Burn is even and predictable, and the ash holds about an inch before releasing cleanly.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Light aged rum such as Bacardí 8 or a Tennessee whiskey like Jack Daniel's Single Barrel — anything that won't overpower the mild profile
Wine
Unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay, or a dry Albariño — both complement without steamrolling the delicate cream notes
Non-Alcoholic
A medium-roast Colombian coffee with cream — black coffee would dominate this blend entirely
Who Should Smoke This?
Picture a mid-level marketing director named Sarah, who has just wrapped a tense quarterly review meeting. She has maybe 35 minutes before her next call, and she steps onto her apartment's small balcony, not to escape, but to reset. She is not a collector; she enjoys a cigar a few times a month, usually something mild like a Macanudo Café or an Ashton. She is looking for a familiar, comforting ritual that won't demand her full analytical attention. This Short by Cohiba Robusto is her perfect companion. It offers a familiar, creamy profile that she can enjoy without overthinking, a predictable burn that matches her limited time, and a price point that doesn't make her feel guilty for not savoring every single puff. It gives her a moment of quiet, a palate-cleansing pause before she dives back into the fray, and it does so without asking for anything in return.
Bottom Line
The Short by Cohiba Robusto is a perfectly executed cigar for what it is: a mild, accessible, and consistent 35-minute interlude. It will not change your life, but it will reliably fill a gap in your day. Buy it for the guest who wants to try a cigar, not for your own personal collection.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Cohiba Robusto cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Short by Cohiba Robusto a strong cigar?
No, it is rated Mild-Medium (2/5) on the strength scale. Physically, this means the nicotine delivery is gentle and unlikely to cause any lightheadedness, even for a novice smoker. It provides a relaxing, calm sensation rather than a pronounced buzz, making it suitable for a daytime smoke or for someone unaccustomed to stronger leaf.
What does Short by Cohiba Robusto taste like?
The flavor progression is a study in gentle evolution. It opens with a creamy base of toasted almonds and mild cedar, with a subtle sweetness of light cream and hay. The middle third introduces a soft nuttiness, mild leather, and a unique white tea note. The final third shifts to drier oak, dry earth, and a hint of toasted grain with a whisper of mild cinnamon-like spice.
How long does Short by Cohiba Robusto take to smoke?
Given its Robusto vitola and 5 x 52 dimensions, you can expect a smoke time of approximately 30 to 40 minutes. This estimate is based on a moderate puffing cadence; if you tend to smoke slowly, you might stretch it closer to 45 minutes, but its size is specifically designed for a quick, satisfying session.
What is the best pairing for Short by Cohiba Robusto?
For a spirit, a light aged rum like Bacardí 8 is an excellent choice. Its subtle vanilla and oak notes will harmonize with, rather than overpower, the cigar's delicate cream and nut flavors. If you prefer wine, an unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay works beautifully, as its crisp acidity and restrained fruit will complement the creamy texture without steamrolling its gentle character.
Is Short by Cohiba Robusto good for beginners?
Yes, it is an ideal introductory cigar. Its Mild-Medium strength ensures a comfortable experience, and its flavor profile is approachable and non-threatening, focusing on cream, nuts, and light wood. The $12–$16 price point is a moderate investment for a beginner to see if they enjoy the ritual without committing to a premium, more complex, and more expensive cigar.
Where can I buy Short by Cohiba Robusto?
As a General Cigar Company product, it is widely distributed across the United States. You can typically find it at local brick-and-mortar tobacconists, larger liquor stores with a dedicated cigar humidor, and major online cigar retailers. Its 'Everyday' tier status means it should be a standard stock item at most shops that carry the Cohiba brand.
What is the price of Short by Cohiba Robusto?
The retail price for a single Short by Cohiba Robusto is typically between $12 and $16. This positions it in the 'Everyday' premium tier—more expensive than mass-market machine-made cigars but significantly more affordable than the brand's top-shelf, handcrafted lines. This price reflects its accessible profile and consistent construction.
Is Short by Cohiba Robusto worth aging?
No, this cigar is not a candidate for aging. It is produced with minimal stated aging and is designed by General Cigar Company to deliver an accessible, approachable profile right out of the box. The Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper is at its best when fresh, offering its signature creaminess. Aging it will likely cause the delicate flavors to fade further, resulting in a more muted and less enjoyable smoke.
What wrapper does Short by Cohiba Robusto use?
It uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper. This wrapper is known for its light golden-tan color, silky texture, and minimal tooth. In this blend, it is the primary source of the cigar's signature creaminess, mild sweetness, and gentle notes of toasted almond and cedar, while contributing virtually no pepper or spice.
Where is Short by Cohiba Robusto made?
It is made in Santiago, Dominican Republic. This is a key production detail, as it is a General Cigar Company product, distinct from the Cuban Cohiba brand. The cigar is machine-made with a homogenized binder, a production method that ensures consistency and helps achieve its accessible price point and uniform burn and draw.