Gran Habano isn’t a name that gets tossed around at every corner shop, but among those who know their smoke, it commands real respect. The Miami-based brand — helmed by master blender George Rico — has been quietly turning out serious sticks for years, and the Corojo #5 is one of the lines that put them on the map. Rolled in Honduras with a stunning Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper, this is a cigar built for the smoker who wants power, complexity, and flavor in equal measure. Spoiler: it delivers.
The Blend
The Corojo #5 wears a gorgeous Nicaraguan Corojo leaf up top — a wrapper varietal known for producing rich, spicy, full-bodied smokes when handled right. Underneath sits a Nicaraguan Habano binder, with a filler blend drawing from both Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The result is a Honduran-crafted cigar with serious Nicaraguan soul. At around $9.80 MSRP, it punches well above its price point.
Construction on the sample I reviewed was excellent — firm pack, smooth draw, and a clean even burn right out of the gate. The foot shows a mix of dark, oily tobaccos that hint at what’s coming.
The Smoking Experience
Light it up and this little guy doesn’t waste any time introducing itself. From the very first draw, the Corojo #5 announces itself as a full-strength smoke with serious intent. Rich, spicy, and absolutely pepper-forward — this is the kind of cigar that reminds you why you fell in love with the leaf in the first place.
The first third opens with a bold, peppery blast — classic Corojo DNA — layered over a deep, earthy richness that keeps things interesting. There’s nothing timid about this stick. It grabs you by the collar and makes its case immediately.
Moving into the second third, the spice stays present but the complexity starts to open up. Notes of dark wood, leather, and a subtle creaminess weave in and out without ever softening the core strength. The draw remains effortless throughout, with a solid, consistent burn line that doesn’t need any touchups.
The final third maintains that full-bodied intensity right through to the end — and here’s where the Corojo #5 earns some extra points: a sweet aftertaste that lingers after each draw. It’s a pleasant counterbalance to all that spice and pepper, giving the overall profile a kind of balance you don’t always find in cigars playing at this strength level. Just up my alley.
Verdict
The Gran Habano Corojo #5 is a cigar for the full-strength faithful. If you like your smoke rich, spicy, and unapologetically bold — with just enough sweetness on the finish to keep you reaching for the next draw — this is an easy recommendation. At under $10, it’s also genuinely great value for what’s in the wrapper.
This one earned a 93/100. A serious, flavor-packed smoke that reminds you the best cigars don’t always have the biggest price tags.
- Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
- Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
- Filler: Nicaraguan & Costa Rican
- Origin: Honduras
- Strength: Full
- MSRP: ~$9.80
- Rating: 93/100
- Great flavor profile
- Sweet aftertaste
- Rich, spicy, and pepper-forward
- Can be overpowering for beginners