From Ugly Ducklings to Swans.

[El Presidente]

Well I managed to finish off a box of Ramon Allones Celestiales Finos (and no, there are no more for sale) over the past month.

While not exactly an "Ugly Duckling" upon release (2009), it's nicotine component made them nigh unapproachable. There was an inkling however that they had a little greatness in that closed (flavour) ...brutal initial showing.

5 years later they are Swans. Ok an aggressive Black Swan ...dark, elegant, menacing.

The box I was smoking certainly ranged from 93-96 point cigars one and all or in "my speak" Bloody good to Absolute Pearler. I saw no reason to age them further although they certainly have a decade more legs in them to evolve while maintaining their intensity (my opinion).

So what are your experiences of cigars that have turned from Ugly Duckling to Swans?

[kwsaw63]

Love these. Thankfully I still have most of a box left!

[polarbear]

One of my biggest cigar regrets is that I didnt get more than one box of these...

I think the Ramon Allones Extra is in the process of turning into a swan

Its not quiote there yet (maybe 3 more years or so) but they are a hell of a lot more approachable now than they were back when they were released

[olotti]

I have 7 left of these and I'm savoring every one down to about 1 a year, I smoked alot fresh as I kind of liked the oomph they provided but I had one last month and it was a truly great cigar. Being able to try one now and remember what they were first like was a fun experiment in how a cigar can truly evolve. Wish I would've bought another box.

[bigfunkyg]

Funny that the first ever RACF that I smoked was a wonderous cigar. Peanut butter goodness to the end. One of my top 5 ever and it was young still. I bought a box right away and I hate to say that it's been disappointing since. Still have half the box left and hoping they turn around.

[Overproof]

One of my biggest cigar regrets is that I didnt get more than one box of these...

I think the Ramon Allones Extra is in the process of turning into a swan

Its not quiote there yet (maybe 3 more years or so) but they are a hell of a lot more approachable now than they were back when they were released

Man, I'm down to 8 on the split we did from the sale here a few years back : (

[Skyfall]

RA Extras are swans right now, with clear potential for even higher greatness

2009 RGCE's looked and tasted ugly back then, now they are stellar. (Still look ugly though)

2011 HU mag 50's were harsh, now they are fantastic!

[polarbear]

Man, I'm down to 8 on the split we did from the sale here a few years back : (

I think I've still got 4 or 5 left from that and then a complete box I grabbed right before they started to fly off the shelves

[Rye]

Vegas Robaina Petit Robaina's RE Canada 2009's qualify this way for me.

A bit harsh at times when they were fresh, but they are flavour packed and smooth as butter now.

I expect the XV Anni's to be the same way, only better as they came out of the gates swinging. Some say they are muted or boring now, and I wouldn't know as they're not on my rotation list again yet. I may try one later this year to check progress as it's been quite awhile since my last.

[dicko]

Mine (say half a box) are still very strong but tasty.

[El Presidente]

You are a Divorce lawyer. What would you know

[Steens]

One of my biggest cigar regrets is that I didnt get more than one box of these...

I think the Ramon Allones Extra is in the process of turning into a swan

Its not quiote there yet (maybe 3 more years or so) but they are a hell of a lot more approachable now than they were back when they were released

re the RAE i agree glad i let them sit , finding the same with the Genios

[Maplepie]

re the RAE i agree glad i let them sit , finding the same with the Genios

Funny you mention those two in the same sentence

Hmmmmmm... I'd think most Cohibas fall under this bracket.

Sent by the Enigma on BlackBerry.

[Steens]

Funny you mention those two in the same sentence

Hmmmmmm... I'd think most Cohibas fall under this bracket.

Sent by the Enigma on BlackBerry.

Yeah i suppose we tend to think with the extra aged leaf on EL's that they smoke well young but i find

they suit me best with 3 yrs +

[anacostiakat]

I finished off a box of these some time ago. Burned right through them!

So glad I stashed some.

[Smallclub]

PLPC! I hate them fresh/young but I love aging them. At the 3rd year the evolution starts to be spectacular.

[mk05]

Funny you mention those two in the same sentence

Hmmmmmm... I'd think most Cohibas fall under this bracket.

Sent by the Enigma on BlackBerry.

wrong on cohiba

Sorry, I meant, I disagree regarding Cohiba

[joeypots]

A lot of bolivars from back in the day. A cab of Corona Gigante from '02 were moist and harsh as hell. Five years on they were spectacular full bodied smokes.

The Bolivar Britanicas look to be in the same league as the RACF. Any one smoke one? Ajay said wait five years.

[SaintLuis]

Had a box of RASS in 2010 that went from downright disappointing (banished them to the bottom back corner of the humi), to fantastic three years later.

All gone!

[Maplepie]

wrong on cohiba

Sorry, I meant, I disagree regarding Cohiba

However, revisiting this, I'm going to say the '13s have changed my opinion regarding the Lanceros, BTO Espys (cheers Marc! ), and Sig IVs.

Sig IIIs i've never had a problem with. Never. If I ever need to rely on a cigar that will deliver, the Sig III is it.

Supporting information: I don't classify BHKs as Cohibas. Only Cohiba in name (and price) but absolutely not in flavour.

Sent by the Enigma on BlackBerry.

[mk05]

Supporting information: I don't classify BHKs as Cohibas. Only Cohiba in name (and price) but absolutely not in flavour.

It doesn't get more Cohiba than MAR-JUN10 Behike. I don't have any more OR Behikes, because I smoked them all when they came out. Screw aging those. They were ridiculous from first puff.

The idea of Cohiba is perfection. It's a tourist cigar, meant to draw you into Cuban cigars more than any other marca. Cohiba is also the one marca where if it is not perfect, you can tell immediately. Something is wrong, off, you don't know what, but it is obvious. So people justify it by saying, "5-10 years" to smooth it out or whatnot. Hogwash. Great cigar is a great cigar, from rott to 10 years aged, so on and so forth. Plenty of wonderfully rolled BTO13 Robustos an Esplendidos that were remarkable upon delivery.

[Jeremy Festa]

The Bolivar Britanicas look to be in the same league as the RACF. Any one smoke one? Ajay said wait five years.

I had one not so long ago.

Here --> http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99094&p=507526

Either it wasn't a memorable cigar or I was too tipsy!

[Jeremy Festa]

However, revisiting this, I'm going to say the '13s have changed my opinion regarding the Lanceros, BTO Espys (cheers Marc! ), and Sig IVs.

Sig IIIs i've never had a problem with. Never. If I ever need to rely on a cigar that will deliver, the Sig III is it.

Supporting information: I don't classify BHKs as Cohibas. Only Cohiba in name (and price) but absolutely not in flavour.

Sent by the Enigma on BlackBerry.

It doesn't get more Cohiba than MAR-JUN10 Behike. I don't have any more OR Behikes, because I smoked them all when they came out. Screw aging those. They were ridiculous from first puff.

The idea of Cohiba is perfection. It's a tourist cigar, meant to draw you into Cuban cigars more than any other marca. Cohiba is also the one marca where if it is not perfect, you can tell immediately. Something is wrong, off, you don't know what, but it is obvious. So people justify it by saying, "5-10 years" to smooth it out or whatnot. Hogwash. Great cigar is a great cigar, from rott to 10 years aged, so on and so forth. Plenty of wonderfully rolled BTO13 Robustos an Esplendidos that were remarkable upon delivery.

Alright lads, in reference to your conversation, I always remembered this little link and excerpt my brother-in-law sent me.

http://www.humansofnewyork.com/post/60853306225/i-live-in-havana-for-visa-reasons-i-have-to

"I live in Havana. For visa reasons, I have to leave the country for 48 hours every two months. I always bring a few boxes of cigars with me. I sell them until I have enough money to buy a plane ticket home." "Can I see them?" "Sure. These are Cohiba cigars. They are legendary. One day Fidel Castro found what he believed to be the perfect cigar. He inquired as to it’s origin, and learned that a very old woman had rolled it. So he sent many workers to learn from that old woman, and he began producing those cigars for himself. Cohiba cigars were only given to diplomats. They were never made available for sale. This is why they are legendary. But you must understand, Castro grew up as a peasant, so Cohibas are very robust. They are not sophisticated cigars. But sophisticated cigars cost less. Because they are not legendary."

I think it says a lot. For me, it made me like Cohiba more.

[El Presidente]

Alright lads, in reference to your conversation, I always remembered this little link and excerpt my brother-in-law sent me.

http://www.humansofnewyork.com/post/60853306225/i-live-in-havana-for-visa-reasons-i-have-to

"I live in Havana. For visa reasons, I have to leave the country for 48 hours every two months. I always bring a few boxes of cigars with me. I sell them until I have enough money to buy a plane ticket home." "Can I see them?" "Sure. These are Cohiba cigars. They are legendary. One day Fidel Castro found what he believed to be the perfect cigar. He inquired as to it’s origin, and learned that a very old woman had rolled it. So he sent many workers to learn from that old woman, and he began producing those cigars for himself. Cohiba cigars were only given to diplomats. They were never made available for sale. This is why they are legendary. But you must understand, Castro grew up as a peasant, so Cohibas are very robust. They are not sophisticated cigars. But sophisticated cigars cost less. Because they are not legendary."

I think it says a lot. For me, it made me like Cohiba more.

Beautiful story

[Smallclub]

Cohiba cigars were only given to diplomats. They were never made available for sale. This is why they are legendary. But you must understand, Castro grew up as a peasant, so Cohibas are very robust. They are not sophisticated cigars. But sophisticated cigars cost less. Because they are not legendary."

Makes no sense to me. "Legendary" is such an exaggeration…