Help with cigar needed

[TM-US]

I didn't know what to title it, thus the vague subject line, sorry.

I recently got in a shipment of Siglo II from the Czar- they smell awesome, like a dark milk chocolate!

However, I smoked one yesterday and it was nothing like a Siglo II- very bitter start with none of the typical Cohiba creaminess.

About halfway through, it smoothed out somewhat, had some of the creamy notes and some vanilla, but not much else.

At the last third, it turned bitter again and very harsh.

I've never, ever, had a Siglo II that smoked like that one. Any ideas why?

Some caveats- the cigar was out of the humidor for nearly two days, in a travel humidor. I'm wondering if it got cooked sitting in the car (the car was never parked long and it wasn't sunny), despite the A/C. I'm also wondering if the humidity was either too high or too low- the weather here is very humid right now and it was rainy for the last few days.

That said, I plan on smoking another one soon, straight out of the humidor, to see what it's like coming from 68% RH and 66F.

[Rushman]

How did the cigar burn? Did it appear to burn hot like it was too dry?

[brazoseagle]

Sorry for your problems. First and foremost:

1) How long did you wait between the time you got the shipment and when you smoked that one?

I let mine sit for a minimum of 30 days before smoking, (I think this re adaptation period is mandatory) I actually prefer 60 days. The cigars have been on a rigorous journey, they need to acclimation themselves!!!!!! This is an important step, especially if we are talking about during the summer months, and even more so if you live in any humid parts of the us.

2)There is a difference in dry boxing and then leaving cigars in a travel humidor in your car, in transit or in the outside environment. Dry boxing creates a stable environment for you to "dry" your cigar out to the perfect RH level, what you described was a bombardment of different humidity levels, different temperatures and exposures in different environments. That is not constant or stable.

3) Some shippers, (I can't speak for the Czar) Over humidify their shipments before transit, as a measure to keep the cigars at a good level while in a long and rigorous transit. This is not perfect and it is not stable. I have heard of some vendors humidifying shipments up to 80% and 85% Rh prior to shipping. I don't think the Czar would do that. But think about the transit, planes, boats, trains, trucks,all different altitudes, temperatures, humidity levels, environments, which are all HUGE factors in the care of the cigar. With all of this and you add in tat it's summer, I wouldn't smoke a cigar unless I had it in my humidor right now remaining stable and re-acclimating for 60-90 days no less.

4) Something else, Cuban Cigars prefer 65%RH and 65F, these are the perfect conditions for storing and aging Cuban tobacco. Keeping a stable 65/65 really does away with any need to drybox anyway.

I hope this helps and I hope you wait a while before trying the next one in the shipment, Your patience will be rewarded!!!

[TM-US]

How did the cigar burn? Did it appear to burn hot like it was too dry?

It did not seem to burn too hot, actually it burned rather slowly, maybe it was too wet?

[TM-US]

Sorry for your problems. First and foremost:

1) How long did you wait between the time you got the shipment and when you smoked that one?

I let mine sit for a minimum of 30 days before smoking, (I think this re adaptation period is mandatory) I actually prefer 60 days. The cigars have been on a rigorous journey, they need to acclimation themselves!!!!!! This is an important step, especially if we are talking about during the summer months, and even more so if you live in any humid parts of the us.

I smoked this one maybe no more than a week after it came in- sounds like that is way too soon.

2)There is a difference in dry boxing and then leaving cigars in a travel humidor in your car, in transit or in the outside environment. Dry boxing creates a stable environment for you to "dry" your cigar out to the perfect RH level, what you described was a bombardment of different humidity levels, different temperatures and exposures in different environments. That is not constant or stable.

3) Some shippers, (I can't speak for the Czar) Over humidify their shipments before transit, as a measure to keep the cigars at a good level while in a long and rigorous transit. This is not perfect and it is not stable. I have heard of some vendors humidifying shipments up to 80% and 85% Rh prior to shipping. I don't think the Czar would do that. But think about the transit, planes, boats, trains, trucks,all different altitudes, temperatures, humidity levels, environments, which are all HUGE factors in the care of the cigar. With all of this and you add in tat it's summer, I wouldn't smoke a cigar unless I had it in my humidor right now remaining stable and re-acclimating for 60-90 days no less.

4) Something else, Cuban Cigars prefer 65%RH and 65F, these are the perfect conditions for storing and aging Cuban tobacco. Keeping a stable 65/65 really does away with any need to drybox anyway.

I hope this helps and I hope you wait a while before trying the next one in the shipment, Your patience will be rewarded!!!

It was very hard not to want to try one- these cigars are some of the most aromatic cigars I've ever smelled. They remind me of chocolate, makes me want to eat them.

[brazoseagle]

A week, with the climates right now is just not going to get all the RH levels and flavors calmed down and "happy" together again. 30 minimum and in summer's like this, 60 day's for sure. I live in Texas and I stock up right before the summer hits from czar, because having delicate cubans shipped to me when it is 112F outside with 85% humidity is just not smart. I will resume in late September.

[CaptainQuintero]

Let any cigar shipment you receive sit for at least a month before having expectations, 2 or 3 months really before they have recovered from their travels and adjusted to your own humidor.

[mkz]

What year is it from?

From my limited experience young Siglo IIs tend to be quite harsh.

[TankerT]

What year is it from?

From my limited experience young Siglo IIs tend to be quite harsh.

I was just going to ask the same question... and make the same statement...

[Dbone]

What year is it from?

From my limited experience young Siglo IIs tend to be quite harsh.

I can attest to this also. I have a lovely box from '09 that are far from being ready for my taste. These little guys are hot and harsh. There are quite a few Cuban cigars which are able to be smoked young, in my experience the Siglo II needs time to settle down and find itself. Good luck!

[Dbone]

Let any cigar shipment you receive sit for at least a month before having expectations, 2 or 3 months really before they have recovered from their travels and adjusted to your own humidor.

This is great advice. I know lots of people will say 30 days, but I try and wait at least 90 as not to waist any cigars due to travel sickness, or whatever you want to call it.

[TM-US]

What year is it from?

From my limited experience young Siglo IIs tend to be quite harsh.

I just got the box, didn't remember the date code when I got them. They're very new- March 11, that's very young still.

[TM-US]

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who posted replies- this is the first time I mail ordered cigars from anywhere and it's a learning experience for certain.

I will see how they smoke after sitting- for cigars this young, I think I'll have to wait until next year.

The Siglo IIs that I have had sitting in my humidor are probably from '08 or older, been in there for over a year, they smoke wonderfully.

[CaptainQuintero]

This is great advice. I know lots of people will say 30 days, but I try and wait at least 90 as not to waist any cigars due to travel sickness, or whatever you want to call it.

lol I always imagine what state I would be like if I had been living in Australia then stuck in an aeroplane hold, flown half way across the world, kicked about by some postmen then opened up somewhere wet and cold, never mind the jetlag I would take a couple of months to recover!