Islandboy Posted January 4, 2018 Posted January 4, 2018 I’ve only been enjoying and accumulating CC’s for 1 1/2 years, so my depth of reference is relatively small - the majority of my boxes are 15/16/17 codes. What I have bit more reference to (not much, mind you) is how all of my CC’s compare to the NC’s I’ve experienced. Now I’m not trying to dredge up another CC vs NC debate, and we all have different palates. But I keep hearing about the disappointing quality of the current CC’s as compared to (certain) years past. Personally, I’m constantly reminded, as I continue the slow march towards purging my humidors of remaining NC’s, of just how much more interestingly tasty pretty much ANY of my CC’s are in comparison. As young as they are. And as current-production as they are. Which only begs the question in my mind: How much better could they have ever been at 1-3 years of age? I’m not questioning wether or not they were better, just wondering if anyone can describe some of the differences - as subjective as this is.
Bagman Posted January 5, 2018 Posted January 5, 2018 I think Nicaragua won 2017. But that is for another topic. I picked up a lot of 2017 boxes when I was in Cuba (17) and they wouldn't let me open them. It was a stressful few days getting home to inspect them. 16 of the 17 were stunning. 1 of the Monty 2's was good, but not great. So if people are having issues with 2017, then I just got lucky
Islandboy Posted January 5, 2018 Author Posted January 5, 2018 6 minutes ago, PuffDaddie said: About 50/50. Roughly about right, I reckon. 50% of folks are saying today’s CC’s are a far cry from 5...8...10 years ago, while the other 50% are claiming recent production is the best they’ve ever tasted. I’m in the latter group.
Wilzc Posted January 5, 2018 Posted January 5, 2018 MPE's are smoking fineeee from 17Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
El Presidente Posted January 5, 2018 Posted January 5, 2018 3 hours ago, Islandboy said: on in my mind: How much better could they have ever been at 1-3 years of age? I’m not questioning wether or not they were better, just wondering if anyone can describe some of the differences - as subjective as this is. There were some brilliant 2017 cigars (late 16/17 production). Overall however, wrapper quality was the poorest since 1998. The reasons for this have been well canvassed. That doesn't mean that they didn't smoke fine. However I wouldn't want to drop $700 on a cab of candela "ish" Lusi or HDM. Worse, some hideous thick dark wrappers on ultra premiums.
PapaDisco Posted January 5, 2018 Posted January 5, 2018 I've not seriously dipped into my 2017's yet. Only tried the Punch 48's (TOS FEB 17) and they were spectacular, but I've had such great experiences with 3-5 year old sticks that it's put some will in my willpower and I wrap most things up in saran wrap until they hit that 3-5 year mark. Even my PSD4's I'm managing to put away for at least a year or two now. It helps 'bigly' that El Pres has, from time-to-time, offered up some 2011-2012 stock on 24:24 so a fella has something to smoke while biding his time for the rest of the stash to come around. And the Anejado program has also been good for this.
agentdaffy007 Posted January 5, 2018 Posted January 5, 2018 I have quite a few boxes of 2008-2009 and nothing to rave about. I much prefer my 2012. I personally think that was the year for me. 2015 was only ok. 2016 was great for my PSD4 and my Punch Punch. Both cigars were awesome! No complaints at all. 2017 was marvelous as well, love my PSE2 and i have yet to try my Fundadores 2017 but they have the most beautiful wrapper i have ever seen. The smell is also fantastic! Can’t get myself to smoke one yet.
GotaCohiba Posted January 5, 2018 Posted January 5, 2018 1 hour ago, El Presidente said: There were some brilliant 2017 cigars (late 16/17 production). Overall however, wrapper quality was the poorest since 1998. The reasons for this have been well canvassed. That doesn't mean that they didn't smoke fine. However I wouldn't want to drop $700 on a cab of candela "ish" Lusi or HDM. Worse, some hideous thick dark wrappers on ultra premiums. 7. Partagas Lusitania 10 box, 25 box, 50 cab.....it really doesn't matter. There are just so few poor examples. Flavour consistency has been a standout. Now I’m concerned that I may have blown $700 on a 50 cab of Lusis
CigarNerd Posted January 5, 2018 Posted January 5, 2018 10 hours ago, El Presidente said: Overall however, wrapper quality was the poorest since 1998. Don't know if this is a poor quality....but it is a different quality for sure 2 1 1
thedame007 Posted January 5, 2018 Posted January 5, 2018 1 hour ago, CigarNerd said: Don't know if this is a poor quality....but it is a different quality for sure Have they been put on the BBQ - they look like they've been in a smoke house 1
GotaCohiba Posted January 5, 2018 Posted January 5, 2018 1 hour ago, CigarNerd said: Don't know if this is a poor quality....but it is a different quality for sure WTF did those come from? Looks like the lack plague has taken over 2
Islandboy Posted January 5, 2018 Author Posted January 5, 2018 Wow, those are some seriously fugly sticks...wonder how they taste. On the bright side, you’ll have plenty to talk about while smoking them in the presence of others (lots of questions to field, at least) 1
Fugu Posted January 5, 2018 Posted January 5, 2018 Ouch! That's truly looking like some sort of accident there (water, heat?), even for an LE wrapper... haha. Or some experimenting for the upcoming new Maduros (we didn't see them yet, did we?) went fully tits up .... and some half-decent use had been found to not be wasted... HSA-responsible to Tabacuba-manager: "Ché Ernesto, dude, doesn't it always pay off that we run the LE-program...?! Just tell me, now how many times did it save us our ass?".... 2
Islandboy Posted January 5, 2018 Author Posted January 5, 2018 Perhaps HSA is testing the market for a Guantanamo Calico series of EL’s. Pretty sure they’ll fetch a nice premium.
jackupster Posted January 5, 2018 Posted January 5, 2018 4 hours ago, CigarNerd said: Don't know if this is a poor quality....but it is a different quality for sure Send them to me...I will save you from these "low" quality smokes!
cmbarton Posted January 5, 2018 Posted January 5, 2018 I’m in the same boat as you, Islandboy, I smoked NCs for 15 years before I had my first CC, which was in the summer of 2017 during my first trip to Havana. I smoked the best NCs too, not the cheap junk that most online retailers hawk with carnival barker-like antics. I swore that Nicaragua was the new Cuba, a new gold standard for all other productions ... an opinion I made without ever actually having a CC. I hear myself making some of these comments in my head and I wince from the arrogance. That is because the moment I smoked my first Habano, I was hit with a sudden realization that there was flavor and complexity that I had been ignorant to for so many years. Imagine seeing only in Black and White, proclaiming that these are the best blacks and these are the best whites, all the while debating the nuance of grays. You don’t know color exists. You don’t know there are shades of color. You can’t even be blamed for not appreciating color if you’ve never seen it. But once that veil is lifted, there’s no going back. I’ve bought 16 boxes of CCs since July of last year. I’ve bought exactly zero boxes of NCs during the same time. I still smoke them, however, but that’s only while the CCs get a little age on them. The truest test of my now-changed attitudes towards Habanos? In those moments when I am smoking a NC, I find myself reaching and grasping for the smallest hints of flavor that are reminiscent of a CC. I’ve never smoked a CC and tried to relate it to a NC; there’s no comparison. 4
Bagman Posted January 6, 2018 Posted January 6, 2018 22 hours ago, El Presidente said: There were some brilliant 2017 cigars (late 16/17 production). Overall however, wrapper quality was the poorest since 1998. The reasons for this have been well canvassed. That doesn't mean that they didn't smoke fine. However I wouldn't want to drop $700 on a cab of candela "ish" Lusi or HDM. Worse, some hideous thick dark wrappers on ultra premiums. Huh? You have mentioned in previous posts that (for whatever reason) double coronas were the exception this year. I have purchased 2 cabs of Luthy's, one of the HDM DC and a cab of the Punch DC. All 2017 (One of the Luthy was 2016) and the wrappers are BEAUTIFUL! Don't understand your conflicting statements.
Bagman Posted January 6, 2018 Posted January 6, 2018 Prez, I found the comment So which is it. DC's are the least impacted or stay away! I say buy because I've seen nothing but top notch DC's. 1
HarveyBoulevard Posted January 6, 2018 Posted January 6, 2018 11 minutes ago, Monterey said: Prez, I found the comment So which is it. DC's are the least impacted or stay away! I say buy because I've seen nothing but top notch DC's. Not sure where you see the ambiguity... Least impacted doesn't mean not impacted. I read it don't buy a 50 cab of DC blind... 2
Bagman Posted January 6, 2018 Posted January 6, 2018 In one comment he said he would avoid DC's, the other he says it is the least impact. Plenty of ambiguity.
HarveyBoulevard Posted January 6, 2018 Posted January 6, 2018 3 minutes ago, Monterey said: In one comment he said he would avoid DC's, the other he says it is the least impact. Plenty of ambiguity. Ok...sure thing.
GotaCohiba Posted January 6, 2018 Posted January 6, 2018 I’m sure it’s fine , but I’ll keep my fingers crossed
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