An Evening with Weller: Bourbon, Cigar, and Birdsong

I spent a relaxing evening on the deck recently enjoying a special cigar-and-bourbon pairing: the Weller by Cohiba cigar and its inspiration, W.L. Weller Antique 107 Bourbon.

The Weller by Cohiba series is a collaboration between the premium cigar brand Cohiba and the Weller bourbon brand from Buffalo Trace Distillery. The annual releases come in a 6 x 50 Toro vitola and are packaged in individual aluminum tubes. Despite their premium price, the cigars are highly sought after. They are typically released in the fall, and I’ve managed to pick up a few each year since 2023, including the 2025 edition featured here.

I’ve had the 2025 Weller by Cohiba resting in my humidor since October 2025. The cigars were removed from their aluminum tubes upon arrival. This edition features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper and a Broadleaf binder aged in Weller Antique 107 barrels. The filler blend combines tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The bands, aluminum tube, and box all reflect the deep crimson-and-gold branding associated with Weller Antique 107.

Before lighting the cigar, I enjoyed a few sips of the Weller 107. It’s a wheated bourbon — often credited as one of the first bourbons to replace rye with wheat in the mashbill — and it displays the expected wheat-driven sweetness. Bottled at a hearty 107 proof (53.5% ABV), it also delivers a warming heat that can linger on the tongue and occasionally overshadow the sweeter notes. Layers of caramel and toffee add further complexity. I enjoy Weller Antique 107 immensely, though I rarely reach for it because of its scarcity. Interestingly, despite being moderately difficult to find, its MSRP remains around a relatively modest $50. (I refuse to participate in the secondary bourbon market.)

Upon lighting the cigar, I found the draw more snug than I prefer, and smoke output was somewhat limited at first. Like many cigars that begin with restricted airflow, it opened up as it warmed, though it never quite reached the balance of resistance and openness that I favor.

The medium-bodied smoke offered balanced notes of cedar, cocoa, and vanilla, along with subtle touches of sweetness and baking spice on the finish. It began creamy and smooth, with the spice gradually increasing as the cigar progressed. Aside from that evolution, the profile remained remarkably consistent from start to finish.

As I smoked, the spicier aspects of the Weller 107 began to overpower the cigar’s more delicate flavors. Adding just a few drops of water to my glass restored the balance. The sweeter side of the bourbon emerged, allowing more of the cigar’s cocoa, cedar, and leather nuances to come through without being overwhelmed by the alcohol intensity.

So much of the enjoyment of a cigar comes not only from the cigar itself and its beverage pairing, but also from the setting. Whether shared with friends or enjoyed alone, the experience is shaped as much by ambiance as by smoke and spirits. During this Weller-inspired evening, I was particularly struck by the peacefulness of the outdoors. There was no distant hum of lawn equipment — only the occasional aircraft passing high overhead.

Most noticeable was the abundance of birdsong coming from the woods in the early evening. The avian chorus included Ovenbird, Carolina Chickadee, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, Carolina Wren, Tufted Titmouse, Great Crested Flycatcher, American Robin, and Chipping Sparrow. Together they formed quite an orchestra, one that was as beautiful to the ear as the bourbon and cigar were pleasing to the palate.

As always, Weller Antique 107 was thoroughly enjoyable and provided a satisfying accompaniment to the cigar. The Weller by Cohiba was likewise an interesting and rewarding smoke. Although it was created specifically to pair with Antique 107, I can think of several bourbons that would complement it equally well. I still have a few Weller by Cohiba cigars on hand from several past releases, and I look forward to enjoying them — perhaps next time with a bourbon that is a little less scarce.

Cheers!

Crossing the Rubicon: A New Direction for Cohiba

I was excited to see the Cohiba Rubicon included in the October Cigar & Pipes Cigar of the Month shipment. The Rubicon is a new line from Cohiba, which General Cigar Company began shipping in August of this year. After a 10 week rest in the humidor, I lit up the 5 1/2″ x 55 box-pressed Robusto on a warm evening earlier this week.

The Rubicon is a budget-friendly, regular-production offering from a brand better known for premium — and typically pricey — cigars. The Robusto retails for around $8.00, which, if the quality is there, makes it quite a bargain — especially in today’s market, where many mid-range cigars start in the $12–$15 range.

The Cohiba Rubicon is a good-looking stick, even if the orange-and-black band borders on a bit gaudy. The box-pressed cigar feels substantial in the hand, likely due to the wide 55 ring gauge along its flat edge. The blend is composed of six tobaccos from five countries, featuring a Connecticut Broadleaf binder and fillers of Dominican Piloto Cubano, Honduran tobaccos from La Entrada and Jamastran, and Estelí, Nicaragua. In addition to the Robusto, the line includes Toro and Gigante vitolas, all priced under $10.

The cigar opens at medium body with notes of sweet nuts and coffee, accented by a light touch of cedar — a profile that feels almost like a morning smoke. As it progresses, both body and complexity build steadily. By the midpoint, the Rubicon ramps up into the medium-full range, bringing darker flavors of molasses, dark chocolate, and espresso. The spice evolves as well, settling into a well-integrated black pepper. The transitions over the roughly 85-minute smoke were both noticeable and enjoyable.

Overall, I found the Cohiba Rubicon to be a flavorful and fairly complex cigar with excellent construction and burn. While it may not go head-to-head with Cohiba’s higher-end offerings — or other premium-priced cigars — it delivers a satisfying experience at a very approachable price point.

When Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River in northern Italy, he reportedly declared alea iacta est — “the die is cast.” Perhaps this welcome entry from Cohiba signals a similar commitment, setting a new standard for premium cigar makers by offering genuinely enjoyable smokes at everyday prices.

Cheers!

Cigar & Bourbon Harmony: Tasting the 2024 Weller by Cohiba

I’ve had a couple of the 2024 Weller by Cohiba cigars resting in my humidor since November. I wasn’t about to light up such a pricey cigar in the dead of winter, so they waited patiently. After a recent pour of Weller Full Proof, I was reminded of the cigars and finally pulled one out to enjoy.

This 2024 release marks the third annual collaboration between General Cigar and Weller/Buffalo Trace. For this edition, the binder leaves were aged in Weller Full Proof bourbon barrels — shipped from the Buffalo Trace Distillery to General Cigar’s factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The cigars come in sleek aluminum tubes (which I removed before storing) and are presented in a classic 6 x 50 Toro format. 

The wrapper is a smooth, glossy Ecuadoran Sumatra. Underneath, the barrel-aged binder is U.S. Broadleaf, and the filler blend features Dominican, Honduran, and Nicaraguan tobaccos.

The draw was on the snug side, though it still produced ample smoke. Unfortunately, the first inch and a half developed a significant run, leaving much of the wrapper unburned. A touch-up fixed the issue, but not without some regret for the wasted leaf. Thankfully, the remainder of the cigar burned evenly and without incident. 

The Weller by Cohiba 2024 settles nicely into a full-bodied profile. Dominant notes include oak, leather, and black pepper, supported by underlying sweetness — fruit, cream, and occasional hints of sweet bourbon. Compared to the 2023 version, this year’s release has a bit more body and complexity. Overall, it was a very enjoyable smoking experience.

Naturally, Weller Full Proof was the pairing of choice. The bourbon’s rich profile — caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon, and candied fruit — drew out the sweeter tones in the cigar, creating a balanced and decadent pairing.

Yes, this is a pricey cigar and a hard-to-find bourbon, but the combination made for a rewarding treat on a (relatively) cool evening. I’ve still got one more from the 2024 release, along with a few from 2023, in the humidor. While I may not always pair them with a pour of Weller, both versions are exceptional cigars for bourbon lovers.

Cheers!

A Weller Evening

I've been waiting for warmer weather to enjoy another of the Weller by Cohiba smokes I picked up last August. I've smoked one not long after the purchase. It was enjoyable but needed a bit more humidor time. The cigar had some minor burn issues and tasted a little harsh at times. After waiting eight months, I was itching to have another. Alas, the weather this weekend turned to the chilly side. But, I still have propane for the heaters, so I went for it any way. Patience only goes so far. 

On top of the desire to enjoy this cigar, I've been wanting to go back to my bottle of Weller Antique 107. The hard-to-find bottle is down to its last third, so I've been drinking it sparingly. I decided to go for the "matched pair."

The 2023 Weller by Cohiba is a 6 x 50 Toro that comes in individual aluminum tubes. I removed the cigars from the tubes for humidor storage. The deep brown Nicaraguan Jalapa wrapper encases a USA Broadleaf binder. Brazilian Mata Fina, Nicaraguan Esteli, and Nicaraguan Jalapa tobaccos make up the fillers. In a partnership with Weller Bourbon the binder leaves were aged in Weller Bourbon barrels from the Buffalo Trace distillery, producers of Weller Bourbon. I saw one reference specifically stating Weller 12 Year as the bourbon, but the Cohiba and other websites are non-specific. Nonetheless, I paired the cigar with Weller Antique 107, because that's the one I have.

The cigar is densely packed and firm to the touch. The area around the band had no give whatsoever. After clipping the cap, I used my PerfecDraw to open it up a bit. The draw remained firm until the last third. Regular double puffs were required for good smoke production, but the cigar never went out. Only one early correction to the burn was required.

The flavor profile of the Weller by Cohiba is rich dark chocolate with caramel and toasted oak notes. There's a small bit of black pepper at the beginning, which seems to disappear later on. Despite the dark appearance of the cigar, it's medium bodied, with a smooth and creamy texture.

I picked up the Weller Antique 107 a couple years ago, back when the Virginia Alcohol Beverage Cartel  actually put hard to find bottles on the shelves when they came in. One could find interesting bourbons at random times. It was worthwhile checking out the stores at random times to find fun stuff.  The bottle cost under $50 at that time too.

Using wheat instead of the more usual rye, gives the 107 proof drink a "softness" in both the aroma and the palate. Dark fruit, caramel, and a floral note waft from the glasss. Upon sipping, I get a mild cinnamon, along with raisons, vanilla, and dark caramel. The finish is oily but short lived. The poof adds some body but is a negligible note. I really could sip this all day.

The pairing of the two Wellers was enjoyable. The mild sweetness of the bourbon played nicely with the caramel and chocolate sweetness from the cigar. I do think a more robust cigar may have overshadowed the soft bourbon. The Weller by Cohiba is a limited release and not an inexpensive smoke. I like the flavor profile, though the cost is high buck for the bang. On the bright side, the well-packed cigar gave a two hour plus smoking time. That was plenty of time to enjoy a few pours of the Weller Antique. 

Cheers!