What's going on in there

[dowjr1]

Bought a box of Up Mag 50s a couple years ago and just never got anything out of them...just tasted like tobacco/cardboard. I just assumed I had a bad batch. But after reading on here for a while, I am now thinking they still needed some time. I have also heard of some cigars smoking well and then going into a dead phase for a while. I am very curious what is going on there inside of the cigar chemically/fermentation speaking during the aging process. Can anyone provide any insight?

[Philski]

I would be interested in hearing about this too. I have a 50 cab of the initial '08 release which I haven't touched - by the time I would have started on them there were so many poor reviews around that I didn't bother to break the box, just in case they turned around or became re-sellable further down the line...

[Smallclub]

Most of the Upmann Mag 50 from 2008 are just poorly blended cigars – that's why there are so many bad reviews.

I have smoked mine between 2010 and 2013 and I was glad it was only a box of 10, as they never showed anything that could have make me hope for an evolution…

[Philski]

Thanks, it looks like these might just turn to dust with me - can't see a single good reason to get stuck in (many more reliable cigars to choose from).

I blame the LE version, which is just great, but made too many promises about the regular production.

[BonVivant]

I guess I had been lucky with Magnum 50 - all that I smoke/smoked were stellar

[Duxnutz]

Bought some tubos in 2012 and quite frankly I've never smelled so much ammonia from a cigar. 2 yrs later it might be time to give one a crack!

[BonVivant]

Bought some tubos in 2012 and quite frankly I've never smelled so much ammonia from a cigar. 2 yrs later it might be time to give one a crack!

A suggestion? open a tube for a while and let the ammonia out?

[Bclass1]

I have a EL 2005 release box. I know the blend of the EL and the commercially released line afterwards is different but they have been smoking very good as of late. Mellow and somewhat complex, but nice flavors.

Ive never had a Mag 50 that wasn't the 2005 EL because of the fear it wouldn't stack up, as per all the negatives reviews I read as well. Was going to do box of these again, but decided against it for that reason..

[mf83]

This is indeed a shame. I had one a few Christmas's ago and it was glorious and have wanted a box ever since.

[PaulP]

To the OP:

http://www.stogiefresh.info/edu-cigars/articles/long-term-aging.html

[jdo2110]

I had one 2008 release and it was phenomenal. Just a myriad of flavors. Bummed to hear others not having the same experience

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Duxnutz]

A suggestion? open a tube for a while and let the ammonia out?

Thanks for the tip, but did that 30 mins after buying them 2 yrs ago!

[JoeyGunz]

I to bought a box and gave up on them, I think I have 3 left from a box of 10, gifted a few out, guess I'll stick with the 46 and 48's.

I'll revisit them this summer, a couple have been good, just none have really wow'd me.

[El Presidente]

I have been lucky. The great ones have that beautiful stonefruit characteristic. I don't find them to be a cigar that takes years to deliver. I know Ken loves his and Artie K our accountant goes through near a box a fortnight.

Delve in and try them again.

[dowjr1]

Yes could be the blend was not good or maybe that year or batch was off. I am thinking I want to try some other H.Ups before I go back to the 50. Prez did just send me two boxes of the Royal Rbs so that is a start. But I am still trying to find out what is happening physically when a stogie is smoking well and then the box goes flat for a while. Something is changing in there and I want to know what that is.

[CaptainQuintero]

The leaves are very slowly rotting I guess can sum it up! Certain chemicals break down and turn into others. Oils progress through the tobacco until they are evenly spread throughout the cigar.

In guessing different fermented tobaccos, different leaves, tobacco strains etc all have different rates of decomposition and oil content, how easily oils move through them etc etc

Like cheeses, meats, alcohols etc, a slow:restricted decomposition of certain parts of the product create pleasing attributes.

[Puros Y Vino]

I've had one from 2008. It was very good but did not compare to my 2009's. Maybe the storage conditions are an issue?

[Orion21]

If the cigars are 2+ years old they should be out of any sick phase. If so, and cigar after cigar just isn't good, you probably just don't enjoy the blend. Find someone who wants them and replace them with something you enjoy. I enjoyed my 2009 Mag 50's a lot. Having said that I never replaced them. They are large cigars and take up a lot of space!!!

[ewipper]

Bought a box of Up Mag 50s a couple years ago and just never got anything out of them...just tasted like tobacco/cardboard. I just assumed I had a bad batch. But after reading on here for a while, I am now thinking they still needed some time. I have also heard of some cigars smoking well and then going into a dead phase for a while. I am very curious what is going on there inside of the cigar chemically/fermentation speaking during the aging process. Can anyone provide any insight?

Code? I recall the ones coded GEA were frighteningly atrocious.

[Upmann2009]

Have a cab of 2009, they smoke fantastic. Maybe its not suit your flavors/tastes profiles. Cheers

[Laxman]

I tried a few back around 09 and 10 and was not impressed at all. Love the upmann line so grabbed a 10 pack listed on the 12 days of Xmas sale. Let me sit for 30 days and fired the first one up a few weeks ago and love it. Wishing I had bought more.

[dowjr1]

I gave the remainder of the box away so don't have the box code. A shame as that would have been good to know in hindsight for comparison. I will not make that mistake again. I am also doing a lot more reading/research these days on what is looking and smoking well.