Rumours …Cohiba’s 60th: Is “Talismán” Coming Back — For Good?
Word in the Havana breeze is that at the 2026 Festival del Habano — which coincides with Cohiba’s 60th anniversary — Habanos could unveil a shock move: Cohiba Talismán returning not as another one-off, but as a standard production cigar. The festival is scheduled for 23–27 February 2026, and multiple outlets already note Cohiba will be the centerpiece.
Here’s why this whisper has everyone leaning in:
The precedent for a comeback exists. The original Cohiba Talismán Edición Limitada 2017 was re-released in limited quantities in 2019 using the same-harvest tobaccos — proving Habanos is comfortable reviving hot Cohibas when demand explodes.
Talismán’s aura: A pigtail-topped Cohiba with ~6⅛ in (154 mm) × 54 dimensions and Sublime No.1 factory vitola (some reviewers measured it closer to 6½ in, which only adds to the folklore). Blend is classic Línea Clásica (medium-to-full), with Cohiba’s extra “third fermentation” in wooden barrels. Factory: El Laguito. Release: Nov 2017. Packaging: varnished slide-lid box of 10. MSRP at launch varied by market, approx 60 USD
What the chatter says (and what it could mean)
From lightning in a bottle to a permanent storm. Turning Talismán into standard production would be the boldest Cohiba portfolio move in years — a statement that the brand’s “super-luxury” positioning still has gears left. (Remember: since 2022, Cohiba pricing was globally re-anchored upwards, and increases continued into 2025.) Expect any “standard” Talismán to debut at stratospheric price points — aligned with Cohiba’s current tiering — not at 2017 levels.
Will OG boxes moon — or soften? Two schools of thought among collectors:
“First-edition premium” goes higher. If a standard Talismán appears, 2017/2019 LE boxes could appreciate as the original iteration (bands, codes, provenance), just like first print runs in wine or watchmaking. Auction results already show the model’s heat.
“Scarcity halo” deflates a touch. A regular-run Talismán might narrow spreads as more smokers can access the experience, shifting some demand from vintage LE boxes to fresh production — especially outside ultra-collectors.
Market shockwaves. Cohiba remains the engine of Habanos’ value growth (revenues up sharply in recent years; high-end demand led by Asia). A standard Talismán could become the must-have celebratory Cohiba of the decade, concentrating demand further and keeping secondary pricing firm rather than easing it — especially if volumes are constrained.
Format & blend questions. If it returns, purists will ask: same vitola (Sublime No.1), same proportions, same barrel-fermented profile — or a “Talismán 60” with tweaks (bands/boxes/markings) that clearly separate it from the LE? The 2019 limited return kept packaging cues consistent but changed codes/dates; a standard line would almost certainly adopt distinct identifiers to protect LE collectability.
Supply reality check. Even “standard production” in Cohiba-land doesn’t mean shelves full. Post-Ian crop pressure, ongoing logistics, and Habanos’ deliberate luxury strategy mean tight allocations are the baseline. Expect hype, queues, and allocation-only releases if the rumour lands.
My take (pure rumour, pure intrigue)
Likelihood: The 60th is a once-in-a-generation stage. Reviving a modern legend like Talismán as a permanent pillar would send exactly the kind of anniversary fireworks Habanos loves.
Pricing: Don’t bank on “cheaper because it’s standard.” Cohiba’s price architecture since 2022 suggests premium launch pricing with periodic uplifts; any relief would be relative to the OG LE auction premiums, not to today’s Cohiba shelf tags.
Collectability: If announced, anticipate a split market — LE 2017/2019 boxes trading as the “firsts,” while standard boxes become the smoker’s choice and a fresh benchmark for modern Cohiba flavor.
Editor’s note (disclaimer):
This article is speculative. It reflects industry chatter, public reporting, and opinion. No details about a Cohiba Talismán standard production release have been announced or confirmed by Habanos S.A., Cohiba, distributors, or festival organizers at the time of publication. Do not treat any pricing, timelines, formats, or allocations as fact until official sources publish them.