Doesn't it just suck when you get disappointed?

[CanuckSARTech]

So, I smoked a couple of cigars yesterday.

Yesterday, mid afternoon - Diplomaticos No. 2, June 2008 "EMA" box. Not bad, quite good actually, considering how these aren't the most complex. Hints of honey, buttered toast, wood - 89.

But that one wasn't what this review is for.

Afterwards, yesterday evening after supper - Cuaba Piramides LE 2008, September 2008 "USE" box. Eeeehhhh. Not the greatest of these I've had - excellent flavour profiles (dark cocoa, spices, black currants/black cherries, etc.), but the draw, burn, and smoke were all wonky. Tight to draw on, burn was all over the place, kept on needing relights. Disappointing, considering the personal expectation for it - lots of plume. Only gave it an 86, being kind of nice as I know what this cigar is capable of.

This Cuaba definitely disappointed me.

I've had a number of these now - about a 1/2 dozen, from two different boxes, with two other boxes also resting in my humidor cabinet (all boxes with the exact same date/factory codes, and very consistent). I've enjoyed these so much, that I have (and still do) intend on buying another two or three (or ten!) boxes to ensure that I have a stock of these for years to come. Hey, they're only in boxes of 10, so I need to make sure! I'm not a big Cuaba fan, but these Piramides are awesome.

But, of the ones I've had so far, I've had some great experiences - 92, 91, 91, 92, 93. These are stored in my cabinet, ~68-71 F and ~66 to 69 % RH - my storage conditions are not the variable with these. These have a September '08 date code, and my first one smoked was August 22nd, 2009. Yes, with tobacco like in these, they do need to age quite a while - I realize that one to two years is not quite enough to do them justice. But, with as high scoring as I feel they are right now, I have no doubt that they'll be pushing 94/95 in another 2 or 3 years, and then 95-97 in 5 to 10. Fingers crossed, obviously, but the inherent ability is definitely there for them to do this.

But, after last night's stick, I just feel a bit........um.....violated.

I had high hopes for this stick last night. These are starting to show a fair bit of plume crystals on the wrapper from the luscious oils in the tobacco. The pre-light scents and draws were perfect. But then, after lighting it up, it all went for crap.

Sorry, but I didn't take any pictures. (I'm going to need to start doing that, to better do justice to some reviews that I will no doubt be doing on here now.)

So, here's my question to the Forum...

What do you guys think? Have you ever been bum-raped by a stogie that you felt was one of your "go-to's", and then just felt horrible after? How long did it take you to forgive the *****-box, and give it a second (or third, fourth, etc.) try?

[thechenman]

The Cuaba Piramides are the only Cuaba cigars that I really enjoy. Haven't had a bad one yet. I have had bum cigars from many other marcas though. Cigars aren't perfect, so I won't give up on a boxs until I've had a few bad ones. When that happens, I put them away for 6 months to a year before dipping into them again. If they still aren't ready by then, I give them another 6 months to a year.

[kjellfrick]

So, here's my question to the Forum...

What do you guys think? Have you ever been bum-raped by a stogie that you felt was one of your "go-to's", and then just felt horrible after? How long did it take you to forgive the *****-box, and give it a second (or third, fourth, etc.) try?

I wouldn't go so far as being bum-raped, but the disappointment you felt is something that happens to me quite frequently. Almost every box has a black sheep, even ones that has proven to be very consistent in the past. Some boxes disappoint all the time. Like a fool I try them again and again... Takes a month to get over it and then here we go again.

[cigcars]

I'm definitely not crazy about the shapes of the Cuabas (except for the Pyramides), yet so far, the ones that I HAVE given the time of day to have not disappointed, at least 75% of the time.

[lordlister]

Bum-raped by a cigar?????

I'm glad you didn't take any pics!

[CanuckSARTech]

Sorry, I didn't mean "go-to" in the sense that it's a daily, weekly, or even monthly smoke. No - these are just for special occasions, or when I just feel like a glorious cigar. That's been the case so far.

And yeah, I haven't been a big fan of the other Cuaba stuff. Tight draws, plugs, fairly light taste, etc. I have thought about picking up a box of the Exclusivos, as these are the only standard Cuaba's that I've found that have been have decent, and in a size that I like. Mostly, the cosmetic appeal of these perfectos are what I want to pick up a box for - as some treats for my buddies that are only mildly into cigars (ie - for when they show up, and request "giveaways").

But, I really do like the piramides format from the different marcas.

[bassman]

Give them more time. Cuaba Piramides were one of the nastiest cigars I ever smoked when fresh. Two years later, they're not bad. Another two years & they might be excellent.

[Ginseng]

Give them more time. Cuaba Piramides were one of the nastiest cigars I ever smoked when fresh. Two years later, they're not bad. Another two years & they might be excellent.

I tend to agree. They were rough when young. But even then, I held out hope. The one I had this morning was quite satisfying.

Wilkey

[CanuckSARTech]

Oh, I know they do still need some more time - like the Ingenios, you can just SEE the sheen of the oils on the wrapper. With some time, the wonderful plume will come, and YUMMY!

But, I've had some phenomenal sticks in these so far. This one completely caught me off guard.

[Bartolomeo]

Sorry to hear about your disappointment, this is the only Cuaba I care for

Bart

[LeafLover]

Sadly, being bum-raped by my go-to cigars is not an infrequent thing. It is the nature of the beast when it comes to cuban cigars and construction.

Sadly, I am a CC ***** and I keep going back to the box/boxes thinking it will treat me better the next time.

[partagasd4]

I think the Piramides is a great cigar, considering the other stuff coming from Cuaba. I recently did a review on this one and thought it was great aside from a very uneven burn. I don't think I'd ever order them again, but they definitely stand out as the best Cuaba I've ever tried. I want to try their Salamones one day too - I've heard it's excellent.