How is it smoking?

[ramon_cojones]

In this thread let's ask the question above when we are contemplating a box purchase.

How are spanking new 898s smoking? I know they've suffered lower than ideal quality in the past year but wondering if anyone has a fresh box?

Also need some lanceros to add to my cohibas and the only other alternative is the especial, thoughts?

[beamer]

If 2012 constitutes a fresh box of Partagas 898s, then mine have been very, very good already.

I know these suffered from production issues this past year; One of my boxes has gloriously dark wrappers, the other may have lightest wrappers I've ever seen on a Partagas.

I've smoked 3 cigars from each box and thus far each has been very, very good. More approachable than my box from 2008.

[Laxman]

One of my favorite go to cigars but production has been ugly up till recently. Have a nice dark box of 2013's that are smoking very well ROTT and another box on the way. Hopefully quality is on the way back up. Have boxes from I believe 02ish till 09, but stayed away till 2013.

[ramon_cojones]

My 2011 box took a long time to come around and were gone by the time they got good. Having puffed on another 2011 it was fantastic.

[UpInSmoak]

I would love to hear opinions on recent Cohiba Coronas Especiales as well. They are on my short buy list. Those and H Upmann Connie 1s.

[ramon_cojones]

In addition to being the ra specialist I happen to specialize in cce also. I've not purchased any current production cce but they are fairly consistent and most excellent. They are my favorite cohiba and fabulous size, I would not hesitate to buy. Connie 1 I've only smoked a few and they are good and worth purchasing without a doubt.

[Lant63]

So I am addicted to Corona Gordas, I think it is the perfect size. I have a box of Siglo 4, RASup, tubes of punch punch, and an odd HDM1. I prefer them in that order. I love the first three and am indifferent about the last. I either want to add SLR serie A or JL 1. What is smoking better of the current stock?

[Laxman]

JL 1's right now have been exquisite that is where my money would go. I am a fan of SLR's but for some reason have not had any luck with the series A. Have tried a few singles of recent production and pinched each one. They were from different boxes and vendors so was strange. In the past have smoked so series A's with 5 plus years on them and enjoyed the cigar. Maybe its me but you cannot go wrong with the current JL 1's, of course unless you get them for an unreliable source!