new CC smoker - disappointed so far

[mi000ke]

I've been smoking cigars for about 45 years, staring out with cheap smokes as starving college student and gradually moving up over the years to better cigars to where I now smoke mostly premium full-bodied/full-strength Nicaraguans.

Recently I decided to try CCs, and acquired boxes of RASS, RyJ Cazadores, Parti Lusitanias, D4s, and 898s, Monte 2s, and Boli BFs – all 2014 dates between April and Sept.

I have tried all but the Lusitanias, and my experience with each has been similar. First third very harsh and flavors disjointed, second third harshness decreases and some flavor comes out, last third mostly dead. Overall it’s been somewhat disappointing.

Is this something that is typical with younger CCs and something that aging for a few years will take care of, or does it sound like a bunch of bad lots?

[garbandz]

sounds like they are too moist or way too dry.

no way in hell you got that many loser boxes.

you started smoking cigars at age 12?

[Rye]

It sounds to me like there is something wrong. If you are storing these at the same humidity as your Nicaraguans, perhaps your cigars are all too wet. Try lowering the humidity of the Cuban sticks over the next few months.

That is not a common taste when young for any of the cigars you have mentioned.

Also could be the speed at which you're smoking. Most nica-puros can be smoked at a faster rate and if you're used to herfing them back, it might take a bit of time to pace yourself slower.

[potpest]

I agree sounds like too much moisture to me, try storing some at 70 f / 62 rh for a few weeks, or drybox them for a while and you will notice a world of difference

[Franko]

Ill said is hard to get back from nicaraguans to cc in to there profile of goodest:).... Ill said keep smoking them and it gets better with time.. Aged them to..... My opinión...

[mi000ke]

you started smoking cigars at age 12?

I wish!

I've had them for about 2-3 months and storing them since then in tupperdors with 65% Bovedas. Temp has been pretty steady at about 68 degrees.

I am storing them separately from my non CCs, which I keep at 69% rh.

They are defintely not too dry, so maybe too wet. They all are from the same vendor so condition on recept would probably be similar.

I plan to taste them again in a few months and see if things have changed, but what I'm hearing is that this is not normal so it's probably me, not the cigars.

And Rye, yeah I do tend to suck these things down too fast, so I'll try better pacing next time.

[JohnS]

Hang in there, mi000ke. Try them again drier and I assure you that you'll have a different experience with Cuban Cigars. I just finished one tonight and it was slightly too moist, experiencing what you described. However, the majority that I've had lately have had that classic mild and smooth profile that many here know and love.

[SmittyinAZ]

Unlike NCs, CCs need perfect conditions to show there true colors(flavor). You have more flexibility with NCs in my experience regarding temps/humidity. Get them as others have mentioned as you should see a difference.

Enjoy

[Cisco]

I wish!

I've had them for about 2-3 months and storing them since then in tupperdors with 65% Bovedas. Temp has been pretty steady at about 68 degrees.

I am storing them separately from my non CCs, which I keep at 69% rh.

They are defintely not too dry, so maybe too wet. They all are from the same vendor so condition on recept would probably be similar.

I plan to taste them again in a few months and see if things have changed, but what I'm hearing is that this is not normal so it's probably me, not the cigars.

And Rye, yeah I do tend to suck these things down too fast, so I'll try better pacing next time.

I agree with the other about the cigars potentially having too much moisture. Do you have a hydrometer? Vendors like to send their products with more moisture than optimal so that they don't dry out. With a tupperdors, extra humidity has only two place to go, the cigars or the Boveda and perhaps the Boveda is not absorbing the moisture as fast as the cigars, so the cigars may be wetter than 65%. It ould be interesting to see what your hydrometer reads.

Given enough time, the Boveda should absorb the moisture and the cigar should start to smoke better. For now, you can try dryboxing some cigars and smoking slower and see if the experience is better.

[Habana Mike]

Definitely agree about smoking slower. How long does it take you to smoke a Robusto (RASS or PSD4)?

I used to burn through those in 30-40 minutes and having slowed my pace they now last well over an hour, sometimes 90 minutes.

I subsequently noticed a distinct improvement in the flavors and performance of the cigar.

[mi000ke]

. For now, you can try dryboxing some cigars and smoking slower and see if the experience is better.

I just dryboxed a RASS and a Boli BF and will give them a try this weekend.

Definitely agree about smoking slower. How long does it take you to smoke a Robusto (RASS or PSD4)?

I used to burn through those in 30-40 minutes and having slowed my pace they now last well over an hour, sometimes 90 minutes.

I subsequently noticed a distinct improvement in the flavors and performance of the cigar.

I smoked a RASS this morning and it took about 45 minutes, so your advice is well taken. Will slow down the pace this weekend.

Thanks to all for the advice.

[shlomo]

All good advice, but on the other hand it is reasonable to think that you simply don't like Cuban tobacco. Doesn't have to be anything that you are doing "wrong".....

[Orion21]

All good advice, but on the other hand it is reasonable to think that you simply don't like Cuban tobacco. Doesn't have to be anything that you are doing "wrong".....

Agreed Shlomo . . .

After 45 years of smoking cigars it may be you just like what you like. I wouldn't stress too much about your experience. Let them rest and revisit them all over time. My Grandfather was the same way.

[ThuringiaSmoker]

Agree with Shlomo, too.

A RASS for me is a 1.5 - 2h smoke..

Last thing: do you Trust your Vendor and his Storage conditions?

[luv2fly]

I too have found that in CC's that are too moist. Happened when I was in Bonaire. So humid there and the cigars were just too wet. I was using 65% Boveda in the traveldor. When I go this year, I may not use any humidity pack but will have one just in case.

[dougincanada]

The tupperdore may be the problem. I don't use one, but in another post on this site, it was mentioned that tupperdores had an unpleasant magnifying effect on cuban cigar flavor. Try a HQ sampler by someone reputable like our host. Consistancy is not the hallmark of Cuban cigars. You need to pick the best, and let someone else buy the rest.

Regards,

Doug

[daeji5]

try all the aforementioned suggestions, but in the end you'll like what you like. nothing wrong with that. plus, more for us

[Colt45]

Impossible to know "why" for sure, but there are some good considerations mentioned. To add, if I may - personally while I feel a great Cuban cigar can be magical, I also feel they are not necessarily cigar panacea. And, Cuba is not immune to producing cigars of questionable quality.

Patience can be rewarded......

[RagingPorkBun]

Is this something that is typical with younger CCs and something that aging for a few years will take care of, or does it sound like a bunch of bad lots?

Yes. Cuban tobacco tends to require several months to a couple of years of rest. I find the NCs tend to be aged til it's ready to smoke, then shipped out. Cuban tobacco tends to be semi-aged, then shipped out before it's ready. Every CC I've smoked right off the truck have either had a weird, harsh ammonia aroma to it or were unbalanced. After a year or two, though, they're pure heaven.

[terrantheman]

I'm curious who your vendor is? PM me.

[Smallclub]

 

Yes. Cuban tobacco tends to require several months to a couple of years of rest. & Cuban tobacco tends to be semi-aged, then shipped out before it's ready. Every CC I've smoked right off the truck have either had a weird, harsh ammonia aroma to it or were unbalanced.

That's no longer true. There are hundreds of posts here and elsewhere about how recent (2013/2014) production is good ROTT.

[oliverdst]

I've been smoking cigars for about 45 years, staring out with cheap smokes as starving college student and gradually moving up over the years to better cigars to where I now smoke mostly premium full-bodied/full-strength Nicaraguans.

Recently I decided to try CCs, and acquired boxes of RASS, RyJ Cazadores, Parti Lusitanias, D4s, and 898s, Monte 2s, and Boli BFs – all 2014 dates between April and Sept.

I have tried all but the Lusitanias, and my experience with each has been similar. First third very harsh and flavors disjointed, second third harshness decreases and some flavor comes out, last third mostly dead. Overall it’s been somewhat disappointing.

Is this something that is typical with younger CCs and something that aging for a few years will take care of, or does it sound like a bunch of bad lots?

Didnt read the whole thread, sorry. But if you smoked NC's for 45 years and just 1 CC it will take longer to get used to it and enjoyits whole potential.

[smokum]

Just had a very nice day here in Chicago. My best bud stopped over and we smoked a Party corona each. Took us an hour. To us, a good cuban is not a walking around or drivingor golfing cigar. Its a sit and relax cigar. Always taste better with good conversation. A little age and a dry box will surely help you get the best out of them. However as some have stated you must be sure your vendor is high quality. Personally I learned that lesson many many years ago buying thru England. After that I have never bought another stick from anyone but FOH .

[mi000ke]

However as some have stated you must be sure your vendor is high quality. Personally I learned that lesson many many years ago buying thru England. After that I have never bought another stick from anyone but FOH .

Just ordered a FOH sampler. That should eliminate one of the potential variables. Stay tuned....

[SCgarman]

As been said the flavor of Cuban tobacco just may not be to your liking. Absolutely nothing wrong with that.