QUAI D'ORSAY

[Leopolis Semper Fidelis]

10 hours ago, RijkdeGooier said:

I wouldn't want to speculate too much but all the great majority of my pre98 smokes were significantly stronger than those post98. 

This is also true for Imperiales

Personally I've always attributed this to the tobacco used. 

That has been my experience as well.  The earlier Lusitanias and Partagás 8-9-8 Varnished were wonderful; the later versions appeared to be "softened".  The blend and/or tobacco had been changed

[Jauwels]

Good or not.I have now my boxes.2014.Thanks for advice guy's!

[NSXCIGAR]

On 5/10/2017 at 1:56 PM, bundwallah said:

Attributed to what? I assume the switch from Habanos 2000 to Criollo 1998 strains? Something else?

As pointed out, this isn't singling out QdO at all. The original Criollo and Corojo strains were being phased out from 1995 onwards, and there was quite a bit of experimentation happening between 1996-2002. I believe Havana 92 and Sancti Spiritus 96 was being used for filler and binder in the 95-98 period. From 99-05 it was Habana Vuelta Arriba, Crilollo 98 and Corojo 99 for wrapper, which I believe were all lacking in terms of flavor and strength. Then Corojo 2006, which I believe was a great improvement. The next major strain transition was to Corojo 2012. 

So basically the old Corojo, Havana 92 and Sancti Spiritus that would have been used until about 98 were much stronger and flavorful than the strains introduced after that. I can personally testify that CCs I smoked made prior to 1997-1998 were generally much stronger and richer than after. I had already noticed a performance decline in some cigars in 1997 production. The Punch Churchill comes to mind. This would have been true for even "milder" cigars like Fonseca, ERDM and QdO. What was considered mild in 1995 or 1996 would be considered at least medium today. 

[Puros Y Vino]

16 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said:

As pointed out, this isn't singling out QdO at all. The original Criollo and Corojo strains were being phased out from 1995 onwards, and there was quite a bit of experimentation happening between 1996-2002. I believe Havana 92 and Sancti Spiritus 96 was being used for filler and binder in the 95-98 period. From 99-05 it was Habana Vuelta Arriba, Crilollo 98 and Corojo 99 for wrapper, which I believe were all lacking in terms of flavor and strength. Then Corojo 2006, which I believe was a great improvement. The next major strain transition was to Corojo 2012. 

So basically the old Corojo, Havana 92 and Sancti Spiritus that would have been used until about 98 were much stronger and flavorful than the strains introduced after that. I can personally testify that CCs I smoked made prior to 1997-1998 were generally much stronger and richer than after. I had already noticed a performance decline in some cigars in 1997 production. The Punch Churchill comes to mind. This would have been true for even "milder" cigars like Fonseca, ERDM and QdO. What was considered mild in 1995 or 1996 would be considered at least medium today. 

One of the major reasons I love this forum.  Insight and knowledge like this.  ^