Connie No1. PML May 11 Box Experience/Question

[Geo17pip]

After hearing VERY positive reviews on this stick I decided to pick up a box of the PML May 2011’s. After letting them rest I tried one and was underwhelmed thinking wow the 2012’s I had were MUCH better. It lacked strength and any solid flavors until about the half-way point. Rob (acidmase) and I revisited them last night and we did not get the amazing cigar everyone was raving about. The first third was very light bodied and there was not much going on in the flavor department, just the taste of tobacco. Once it reached the second third and last third it showed some promising flavors of what I remembered from the younger Connies I burned though but it still satisfy me. We were left very underwhelmed and even though it wasn’t a bad cigar it wasn’t what everyone made it out to be. Kinda boring…

My question is, do you guys think that it is past its prime or is it in its second maturation period? Maybe a second sick period? Will these get better in a year or two? Should I get rid of them? What do you guys think of them that are smoking these or have these? Thanks!

[torsion]

I bought a box a while back after recommendation from a fellow FoH brother and also reading the reviews on here that people were enthused with this box code.

I've smoked about 3 sticks from the box and also gifted a few to some others, I personally have not found them to be that exciting, however I keep questioning if it's my palate at the time of smoking.

I am going to keep them and give them another go prob next week so will post on here my thoughts.

FWIW the guys I gifted to really enjoyed theirs.

[tjohn7]

I love the ones that I have. First stick I smoked wasn't too great (smoked last November). Tried another last week and it was smooth and flavorful. I'd definitely keep them, just try them again further on down the road.

[earthson]

While all have not been show-stoppers, most have (out of 4 or 5 I've had). I've found them to be rather strong in the nicotine department, and while they have what I consider the typical Upmann flavor profile (breads, coffee, some spice and cream), they seem unusually complex; I rate complexity simply on how difficult it is for me to discern each specific flavor/aroma I am experiencing at any one time.

With the level of strength I have experienced from each one, I am going slow with the expectation that they will continue to evolve over the next few years. I do know that when I am down to my last five, they're getting packed in a five-count cedar box and buried for a long snooze!

[Smallclub]

I have a box with this exact code and I find them very good. Strenght is "medium –".

Now, I have seen people complaining about Upmann's tasting like "plain tobacco" as soon as cigar forums were created…

If you (in general, not directed to the OP) want fancy, exotic or spicy or very sweet flavors (like what you get from Partagas, SLR, RA) the Connoisseur No.1 is not a cigar for you; IMHO it's one of the most "tobacco focused" (you see what I mean) cigar in the HSA catalog.

[TonyAccardo]

I too have a box of this same and I find them to be very boring, just like the OP is expressing. I know exactly what you're saying. They just have that boring cuban "tang" and that's about it, oh yeah and toasted tobacco. I've also had this cigar where it's just glorious too, so the comparison of "boring" to one of "great" to "excellent" I think can be made here with certainty. The more years that go by and the more boxes/cigars I smoke through, the more I realize it's just an absolute crap shoot. Hate to say it but it's what I've found to be true. It's also what makes the hunt for a good one that much more adventurous and fun.

Hopefully yours come around after a time but for me, I'm not expecting much with time for mine. These were obviously rolled with a lower quality of tobacco or the blend put together wrong by the roller and there's just not much there to begin with to evolve into anything nice down the road. Good luck to you though.

[Optic101]

Have a box with the same code and they are on my favorite list.

Great in flavors and medium strenght.

[Geo17pip]

Hmm interesting replys. What do you guys suggest? Let them sit for a few months and retry and go from there? Do you think they can be in a second maturation period?

[ImTripN2]

I've smoked thru 2-3 boxes with that code, but I think the POS 11 boxes from later in the year

are better. The HUC1s is not the most exciting cigar, but the construction, burn and flavor has been very consistent for me. After almost 5 years I doubt they need more maturing, maybe yours just need to rest longer?

[alpyigit]

I recently picked up this box and smoked a few sticks. Wind tunnel draw at the start, construction lacks robustness, lifeless 1/3 but picks up flavours in the middle and becomes a delightful cigar. Weird dynamic for whatever reason...

Since I have the box, will smoke through in time. Not frequently though I guess.

So 2011 looks like a bad year empirical evidence shows. Being a huge Upmann fan, will pick a 2012 to see if it delivers the taste profile better..

[acidmase]

I smoked the cigar yesterday with Jorge last night!

The cigar had a little rustic looking wrapper no major veins or anything and had a good draw..

First third to almost the last second third it was just a simple mild to medium body with simple toasted tobacco taste. Nothing wrong just boring. I remember smoking it and i kept saying ahh its okay!

The finally third bumped to a medium body with toasted nuts, a little cream with toasted tobacco. I think its gonna need more time and just hit a maturation period!

Finally rating a strong 88 with potential to be in the low 90's with time!

[Geo17pip]

I recently picked up this box and smoked a few sticks. Wind tunnel draw at the start, construction lacks robustness, lifeless 1/3 but picks up flavours in the middle and becomes a delightful cigar. Weird dynamic for whatever reason...

Since I have the box, will smoke through in time. Not frequently though I guess.

So 2011 looks like a bad year empirical evidence shows. Being a huge Upmann fan, will pick a 2012 to see if it delivers the taste profile better..

The 2012s I burned through last year were amazing! Wish I had that box again.

[El Presidente]

There were some brilliant 2011 Upmann Connie 1

There were some average 2011 Upmann Connie 1

There were some crap 2011 Upmann Connie 1.

Each level was found in all box codes.

It is the reason why when you hear "OOH FEB 11" is spectacular that you need to take it with a pinch of salt. 90% of the time when I read or hear that I refer back to what I have seen and mentally I am saying "Really?"

[cigarbreak]

Had a PLM May 11 box. Burned right through the sucker. Toasted tobacco, nuttiness, and good med-mild body. Not necessarily complex, but was a damn good cigar imo and only got better over some resting time. I wish I put away more than two sticks LOL as that's all that is left. I will say though that the longer they rested the better they got which happens 99.9% of the time to all of my stash. It is no Connie A, but it holds its own.

[SurpriseMVP]

I have a couple boxes of PLM 11. It's a great morning smoke with coffee.

Mike

[UpInSmoak]

I've sampled close to 10 from my box, same code as yours.

Half have been spectacular, half have been average. Luck of the draw I suppose. Still definitely smoke worthy IMO

[Edwhatever]

Cigars are not like fine wine or fine spirirts.

It's not like every bottle is the same.

Every batch, box, stick is different, thats what so fascinating about cigars.

Luck of the draw, literally.

Hope your next few sticks will be better, try having them before your lunch.

[RickHendeson]

Cigars are not like fine wine or fine spirirts.

It's not like every bottle is the same.

Every batch, box, stick is different, thats what so fascinating about cigars.

Luck of the draw, literally.

Hope your next few sticks will be better, try having them before your lunch.

This is why I feel some of the recent press about how American smokers will be sorely disillusioned if/when the embargo falls may be right on point. The US market is used to consistency in ALL its products (from burgers and toothpaste on up), and this includes cigars. The NIC/DOM/HON triumverate are all manufactured with a high degree of uniformity among marcas. For better or worse, I know the next Ashton/Fuente/Padron/Whatever I smoke will taste just like the last. As a fairly much noob to CCs, I'm finding the lack of uniformity with CCs both fascinating and frustrating . . . Owing to the cost, "frustrating" is probably pulling ahead just a wee bit. That, and the fact that there is only so much time to smoke cigars. I'd prefer to know what I'm getting into when I sit down. (Most days.)

[Variant2]

Got a box of PLM '11 and the first one I tried was pretty good. Hopefully the rest of the box remains consistent.

[torsion]

Just revisted this stick.

Been dry boxing this for over a week.

From the off the strength was mild-medium and stayed that way to the nub.

The flavour was consistent throughout, toasted, clean tobacco with a hint of nuttiness. The retro was so smooth. I longed for the lingering aftertaste and palate coating that we sometimes get from other sticks, but it didn't happen.

As you can see from the photo the wrapper was slightly rustic in appearance, the burn was perfect down to after the first third until the ash dropped off, no corrections needed at all.

An enjoyable smoke for another bloody cold day.

My comments before about not being excited still remain however this was extremely consistent smoke even if there was not that much complexity/flavour progression.

Glad I have some in my collection.