SloppyJ Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 Hey guys, I'm not trying to ruffle any feathers here but I have an honest question. I'm new to CCs and have stocked up a few of the popular ones over the last few months. Right now, I'm not seeing much of the allure of CCs. Maybe my sticks are just too young but I have only had a few that I would order again. Those being, Bolivars Belicosos and maybe the Juan Lopez #2. Here is my current stock along with the box dates: RASS: Oct. 14 JL #2: Nov 14 PSD4: Nov. 14 BBF: Sept. 14 Epi 2: June 13 Monte 4: Sept 13 Currently on the way: Trinidad Reyes Monte #2 RyJ wide churchill I've been doing a lot of research and have stocked up on cigars that seem to be favored by a large group of people. Being new to CCs, I haven't had a chance to try many so I'm still trying to find my flavor hence all of the cigars. My thoughts are that I have cigars that I know I love. Padron 64s, Olivas, and Ligas and they smoke great right out of the box. I have yet to have a CC that satisfy as much as these. Is this simply a case of time? Should I let my CCs rest for 6 months or so and try again? I love the different profiles that I can get out of the CCs but there haven't been many that have knocked my socks off. Thanks for looking! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
rmill3r Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 Taste is 100% subjective, of course, so you're not gonna get the answer your looking for...ever. It's just a matter of trial and error on your own personal journey. Did you smoke an RASS and not like? Don't smoke it again. Sell it. Trade it. Or give it a year or more and try again. Did you smoke a Padron/Liga/Oliva and love it? Keep smoking and buying them then. Truly as simple as that. But if there's any advice I could possibly think of, it would be that the so-called "popular" (or perhaps global) marcas in the world of CCs may not be for you (plus, if you're buying blindly you might have more of a chance of getting some crap/so-so quality). Based on what you have coming in, though, those Trinis might treat you well. You might wanna go off the beaten path. The first CC I tried was a Monte 2 and it was so horribly dull...but then I moved on and found out I loved some other things--Saint Luis Rey, El Rey Del Mundo, and La Gloria Cubana, for example. It's fun to talk about, but ultimately you just gotta figure it out yourself. 3
FHFinster Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 Hey guys, I'm not trying to ruffle any feathers here but I have an honest question. I'm new to CCs and have stocked up a few of the popular ones over the last few months. Right now, I'm not seeing much of the allure of CCs. Maybe my sticks are just too young but I have only had a few that I would order again. Those being, Bolivars Belicosos and maybe the Juan Lopez #2. Here is my current stock along with the box dates: RASS: Oct. 14 JL #2: Nov 14 PSD4: Nov. 14 BBF: Sept. 14 Epi 2: June 13 Monte 4: Sept 13 Currently on the way: Trinidad Reyes Monte #2 RyJ wide churchill I've been doing a lot of research and have stocked up on cigars that seem to be favored by a large group of people. Being new to CCs, I haven't had a chance to try many so I'm still trying to find my flavor hence all of the cigars. My thoughts are that I have cigars that I know I love. Padron 64s, Olivas, and Ligas and they smoke great right out of the box. I have yet to have a CC that satisfy as much as these. Is this simply a case of time? Should I let my CCs rest for 6 months or so and try again? I love the different profiles that I can get out of the CCs but there haven't been many that have knocked my socks off. Thanks for looking! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk The NC sticks you're smoking have a very in your face flavor profile(all great btw). You're not going to get the same kick from the ccs you listed. It takes time for your pallet to adjust to cc and is worth it. Flavors are more complex (nuanced) and pleasant in my opinion. I like to compare NC to CC like NCs are Starbucks and CC is quality teas. Before cc I was very into a similar profile as you (tat, LP, and Padron '26 maduros). I've enjoyed the change.
garbandz Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 after months/years of Nics and other tobacco bombs,your palate is clouded by the heavier tobaccos in these cigars. even a couple a week of these heavier cigars can influence the palate and cause your dilemma. It may take several days to purge your mouth of the residual effect of these cigars,once you do the light will come on. Years ago I smoked heavy hitters,LFD,Liga,etc....at the time I too could not enjoy a cuban cigar. Now a Cuban Bolivar is a pretty stout cigar to me,a La Flor Dominicana would probably knock me down. 2
SloppyJ Posted July 9, 2015 Author Posted July 9, 2015 Taste is 100% subjective, of course, so you're not gonna get the answer your looking for...ever. It's just a matter of trial and error on your own personal journey. Did you smoke an RASS and not like? Don't smoke it again. Sell it. Trade it. Or give it a year or more and try again. Did you smoke a Padron/Liga/Oliva and love it? Keep smoking and buying them then. Truly as simple as that. But if there's any advice I could possibly think of, it would be that the so-called "popular" (or perhaps global) marcas in the world of CCs may not be for you (plus, if you're buying blindly you might have more of a chance of getting some crap/so-so quality). Based on what you have coming in, though, those Trinis might treat you well. You might wanna go off the beaten path. The first CC I tried was a Monte 2 and it was so horribly dull...but then I moved on and found out I loved some other things--Saint Luis Rey, El Rey Del Mundo, and La Gloria Cubana, for example. It's fun to talk about, but ultimately you just gotta figure it out yourself. I think that is a huge part of it. I went with the very popular marcas because I figured those were my best bet. I feel like I've tried a lot of the more popular sticks and now I'm trying to get into the others that are a little more under the radar. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
SloppyJ Posted July 9, 2015 Author Posted July 9, 2015 The NC sticks you're smoking have a very in your face flavor profile(all great btw). You're not going to get the same kick from the ccs you listed. It takes time for your pallet to adjust to cc and is worth it. Flavors are more complex (nuanced) and pleasant in my opinion. I like to compare NC to CC like NCs are Starbucks and CC is quality teas. Before cc I was very into a similar profile as you (tat, LP, and Padron '26 maduros). I've enjoyed the change. Can you suggest anything that might appeal to me more coming from these stronger sticks? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1
FHFinster Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 Can you suggest anything that might appeal to me more coming from these stronger sticks? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I think others can probably provide you more choices than I as I've also just recently entered the cc side of the hobby. Bolivars have a real nice kick. You could go that route. My advice, take some time off from the NC. Let your pallet rest. Pair your next cc with ice water and learn to retrohale if you don't know how to already. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
SloppyJ Posted July 9, 2015 Author Posted July 9, 2015 I don't drink so I always pair with water. I also do retrohale. There is a drew estates event at my local B&M today so after I smoke a T52, I will try to lay off the NCs for a while to see if I can develop a taste for these CCs. I really have enjoyed my bolivars so I think my next order will consist of those and maybe another marca I haven't tried. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1
archosaur Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 As you noted, time can be a factor and your cigars are all young. They will definitely change over time, and usually for the better. Don't give up hope but I would also echo what has been posted above that ultimately, you should smoke what you enjoy. CCs may just not be to your pallet - but I personally think it is more likely that you have been a little unlucky and just haven't smoked a great cuban yet. And I would blame that on inconsistency. It is not unusual for cubans to vary widely from box to box and even from cigar to cigar in the same box. One of the first boxes of cubans I purchased was a 10 ct Monte 2. That box had 4 average cigars, 5 good cigars, and 1 exceptional cigar. That 1 exceptional cigar, when you smoke it, is what is going to hook you. You will experience the intoxicating, mouth-coating, smooth rich goodness of a finely crafted cuban cigar and you won't look at cigars in quite the same way afterwards. 1
SloppyJ Posted July 9, 2015 Author Posted July 9, 2015 That's what I've been looking for! I've smoked probably 15 of them so far and the only one that I extremely enjoyed was the first BBF I tried, my first CC ever. The JL2 has been consistently good but showed signs of its youth which is okay with me. The others....well they weren't so good. The RASS in particular. It made me think that I was crazy because so many people rant and rave on them but this thing was awful. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
archosaur Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 If you're only 15 cigars in, by all means stay the course Bad cuban cigars happen. I am smoking through a box of Partagas Shorts from '13, usually very reliable even fresh, that have been average at best. Read lots of reviews and recommendations (our host knows what he is doing) to help guide your purchases.
SloppyJ Posted July 9, 2015 Author Posted July 9, 2015 I plan on sticking it out and my next purchase will be one of the 24/24 deals just to see how much better they are. Thanks for the help everyone! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
habanolover Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 I think it's been partially alluded to but not really been made clear...CC generally need time to settle in your humidor environment after their travels. Though newer production has smoked very well young, they will generally get better over time assuming the humidor conditions are good for CC. Which leads to some questions that were not covered in the original post: 1. If you are into NC's, are you attempting to store CC the same way? CC generally like ~62-65% RH not the "wetter" storage of NC. Overly humidified CC generally do NOT smoke well or taste their best. 2. How long did you rest your smokes before indulging? There are many opinions on this, but all agree some rest is good. I like one ROTT to gage what's needed these days. However, I used to burn right through a "mediocre box" only to find a month or two later those left over were ROCK STARS! Moral is, if it does not taste right but it's a quality skewed code and construction is good...they are simply not ready, LEAVE them alone for a bit and smoke something else. Try them once a month or so to see if they have turned. Some CC sticks will tell you right off by aroma at cold that they are good to go. There is MUCH more, but try all the above (Cleanse pallet, check(fix) humidity, rest the smokes) and see if these things help your CC experience. My .02
SloppyJ Posted July 9, 2015 Author Posted July 9, 2015 Currently I don't have any stock of NCs I buy them at a local store. I have a wineador setup at 65% for the CCs. What I have been doing is smoking one ROTT and then basing my decision on resting time on that tasting. I've been revisiting each cigar on around 2 week intervals. Like I said, I've only been sampling the CCs for a few months so the longest resting period for any CC cigar I have has been 2.5-3 months. But a couple of my boxes are from 2013. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
habanolover Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 Hmmm, hard to believe all your boxes are duds...BUT, life's short...smoke what you like! You can now send ME all your CC, including those in rout, for proper and respectful disposal
parabola66 Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 Best thing I did was send Rob an email asking for a sampler of some of his favorites. Given my $$ cap, he sent me a sampler of 12 or 13 cigars based on: - His personal favorites - The ability to smoke young - A spread of cigars that will portray all the classic tastes of a Cuban. Still going through one by one has been a journey thus far.. Each cigar has something different to offer. Some I fall in love with instantly, others I thoroughly enjoyed but would like to try again (most likely will just buy a box anyway). This way I was able to learn what types of flavors I like with some direction on where to head. I get the whole "buy popular marcas" thing, but buying boxes before you even know if you like the stick is a waste of money IMO. I feel like this is a common dilemma as this was my plan to go Gung Ho when I first started getting into CCs.. thankfully some awesome people in this community pointed me in the right direction and taught me to take it slow and learn. You do have some awesome sticks in your stock, let them rest for a while and revisit. I got a stellar box of PSD4 from the 24:24 and smoked one the day they came, I was pretty disappointed, but what was I to expect smoking a young cigar that just came of a 12 day trip around the world. 2
Anthonyjoseph89 Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 I'm not going to read through the long comments, but when you get a CC that is ON! There is nothing better IMO.
TonyAccardo Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 I have three boxes of Hoyo Epicure 2's that have been very pedestrian, the ones I have smoked. But then I've had several that have been great. I've had more pedestrian cubans than I've had great cubans but part of the fun is the chase. I can see how someone could get tired of that very quickly. But I love cigars and I've found any noncuban to be severely lacking in any kind of enjoyable quality worth my money so I have no choice but to continue to hunt down great cuban cigars. I agree with you on the Bolivar BF's and Juan Lopez #2's. All the ones I've smoked from my 13 and 14 boxes have been well above pedestrian quality. Your best bet is to stick with what you know to be good to you consistently and go deep on those.
DoubleDD Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 Your best bet is to stick with what you know to be good to you consistently and go deep on those. That's what I've done on the Boli CGs. Found a good streak and secured four boxes of the same code from Rob, all in the attempt to keep the streak alive.
JerseyG Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 You most definitely must give them time., and you will be rewarded. I suggest you get a couple of samplers. I've found them usually to have been aged a bit.
MIKA27 Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 Can you suggest anything that might appeal to me more coming from these stronger sticks? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Bolivars are great, the Belicoso Finos. You can also try a VR Unicos, tons of flavour. Also a SC La Punta To name but a few. There are so many and these really come down to giving them a try and seeing if they take to you. This is the fun part because your tastes will always evolve.
stogieluver Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 My thoughts are that I have cigars that I know I love. Padron 64s, Olivas, and Ligas and they smoke great right out of the box. I have yet to have a CC that satisfy as much as these. I'm scratching my head over this. 1
FLB03TT Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 Definitely watch the humidity level and make sure your hygrometer is calibrated. If it reads off a few % make a note of if its plus or minus and what % off it is. I like to not exceed 62% to 63%. Also, you'll greatly increase your odds of a higher quality experience by buying hand picked boxes from Rob. You don't have to necessarily spring for all PSP, HQs and the occasional PE usually do the trick for me. I try to give all new boxes a one year nap, from box date, before getting very deep into them.
Smallclub Posted July 10, 2015 Posted July 10, 2015 I'm scratching my head over this. Meanwhile people are putting the blame on the habanos age, humidity, quality, inconsistency, provenance, etc. 1
FLB03TT Posted July 10, 2015 Posted July 10, 2015 Meanwhile people are putting the blame on the habanos age, humidity, quality, inconsistency, provenance, etc. And your point is?
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