Slyclient Posted January 18, 2018 Posted January 18, 2018 I have a box of Por Larranaga PC Box code EML FEB 14. Out of the 50 cigars I have either given away or smoked through 20 of them. Each one has tasted very bland. I last had one about 8 months ago and I plan on trying one more soon. I kept notes of this cigar and I said "it was a step above a yard gar at best" back then. I have heard that the PLPC don't smoke well until they are five years old. With that being said, should I give them more time or get rid of them? I cant imagine these things getting better but I have far less experience than many of you. I hate looking at dud boxes taking up space, or at least ones I suspect are.
canadianbeaver Posted January 18, 2018 Posted January 18, 2018 Hello Sly, what is your idea of a great cigar? Maybe this one is not for you? If you smoked with someone who was smoking one, and you were smoking something else, did they like it? We feel this way about some stuff. CB 1
Aardwolf Posted January 18, 2018 Posted January 18, 2018 Hmm, I can't speak specifically to EML Feb 14 but I have a cab from TOS Feb 16 (PSP) that took 18 months to develop into something I want to smoke. I was disappointed for that first year and only tired one a quarter, but about 6 months ago I felt like they really made a turn for the better. They still don't sing like they should for beautiful PSP's but much of the bitterness and blandness has dropped and some caramel is forming. I doubt I have more experience than you but they do seem like they would have turned the corner for you by now, definitely try one. Hell, if it's still bland, PM me and I'll send you one and see if it's any better. 1
Buck14 Posted January 18, 2018 Posted January 18, 2018 Have a half cab from 2016, smoking wonderfully and they won’t last long. I have all three regular production PLs and they are all incredible smokes. Maybe you just need to try another Marca. 1
Slyclient Posted January 18, 2018 Author Posted January 18, 2018 1 minute ago, canadianbeaver said: Hello Sly, what is your idea of a great cigar? Maybe this one is not for you? If you smoked with someone who was smoking one, and you were smoking something else, did they like it? We feel this way about some stuff. CB Unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity to smoke one with someone who is serious enough about cigars to tell the difference. From my limited experience with Cuban cigars, ones that age well that don't taste great initially have a jumbled selection of flavors that have not melded together yet. Sometimes harsh or aggressive. When I start smoking a box and this happens, I have no worries. I usually have faith they will get better over time. This is my first box of PLPC so I not sure if the Marca responds differently. Its been smooth and mellow from day one so I am not sure what to expect. 1
Slyclient Posted January 18, 2018 Author Posted January 18, 2018 9 minutes ago, Aardwolf said: Hmm, I can't speak specifically to EML Feb 14 but I have a cab from TOS Feb 16 (PSP) that took 18 months to develop into something I want to smoke. I was disappointed for that first year and only tired one a quarter, but about 6 months ago I felt like they really made a turn for the better. They still don't sing like they should for beautiful PSP's but much of the bitterness and blandness has dropped and some caramel is forming. I doubt I have more experience than you but they do seem like they would have turned the corner for you by now, definitely try one. Hell, if it's still bland, PM me and I'll send you one and see if it's any better. Thanks for chiming in. I think they would have turned the corner too. Who knows, when I have one this weekend I'll be surprised but I doubt it. 1
Slyclient Posted January 18, 2018 Author Posted January 18, 2018 They don't look half bad eitherSent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
NSXCIGAR Posted January 18, 2018 Posted January 18, 2018 PLPC isn't a cigar that should be bland when new in anyone's judgement. Sounds like you may just have a bad box, although that's a box code that produced lots of great stuff. PL as a marca doesn't typically go from bland to flavorful with time. It goes from a bit "mongrel" and one dimensional to smoother and richer with the caramel flavors. 4
Islandboy Posted January 18, 2018 Posted January 18, 2018 I have no experience with this cigar, so can’t offer any input. I am curious however, about the aroma you get when you stick your nose in the box. The 2 potential dud boxes I have going (RASS and RyJ Belicosos) have both displayed a lackluster box aroma from the get-go, so I’ve made a very unscientific correlation there. Just wondering if you’ve noticed anything similar with this box. 2
Slyclient Posted January 18, 2018 Author Posted January 18, 2018 2 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said: PLPC isn't a cigar that should be bland when new in anyone's judgement. Sounds like you may just have a bad box, although that's a box code that produced lots of great stuff. PL as a marca doesn't typically go from bland to flavorful with time. It goes from a bit "mongrel" and one dimensional to smoother and richer with the caramel flavors. Thanks NSXCIGAR! Your comment makes complete sense. Looks like Ill be keeping an eye on the 24 24 for a new box. I'll pass these out at my summer BBQ's loL 2 minutes ago, Islandboy said: I have no experience with this cigar, so can’t offer any input. I am curious however, about the aroma you get when you stick your nose in the box. The 2 potential dud boxes I have going (RASS and RyJ Belicosos) have both displayed a lackluster box aroma from the get-go, so I’ve made a very unscientific correlation there. Just wondering if you’ve noticed anything similar with this box. I hadn't though of that angle but now that you mention it, there is a lack luster smell to it. Just took a whiff. Smh. My fear is becoming a reality. Much less than some of my other boxes. Then again, they are just about 4 years old and are my second oldest box. Do you know if the smell gets lighter as the years progress?
Slyclient Posted January 18, 2018 Author Posted January 18, 2018 1 minute ago, garbandz said: are you storing them at or near 62% ? Yup, using the 62 Boveda packs
Islandboy Posted January 18, 2018 Posted January 18, 2018 3 minutes ago, Slyclient said: Do you know if the smell gets lighter as the years progress? I have little experience with anything over 3 years old, but I guess I do notice a slight mellowing of the aroma with the 2012 box of Sancho Panza Belis I have (my oldest box), which have developed incredibly well in the taste department. 1
David88 Posted January 18, 2018 Posted January 18, 2018 I don’t have a great deal of experience with plpc’s specifically but the ones I have had couldn’t be described as bland even when young. I would also be surprised if you had a whole box of duds too. Maybe as CB said these just aren’t to your taste. I would keep sampling them every 6-12 months just as you’re doing and see what happens. Your tastes may change or you may find a few winners in there. 1
99call Posted January 18, 2018 Posted January 18, 2018 1 hour ago, Slyclient said: Yup, using the 62 Boveda packs I feel for you mate. Sounds as if you're doing everything right and they look like lovely cigars. If this is taking up your storage and pissing you off, (being faced with them etc) Maybe vac-packing them, and just shelve them elsewhere. You might be moving house in 20 yrs time, and find yourself a little present,
Slyclient Posted January 18, 2018 Author Posted January 18, 2018 1 minute ago, 99call said: I feel for you mate. Sounds as if you're doing everything right and they look like lovely cigars. If this is taking up your storage and pissing you off, (being faced with them etc) Maybe vac-packing them, and just shelve them elsewhere. You might be moving house in 20 yrs time, and find yourself a little present, Now that's an outstanding idea! Thank you Sir!
canadianbeaver Posted January 18, 2018 Posted January 18, 2018 Why not post them on the trade board for something you like better? 1
foursite12 Posted January 18, 2018 Posted January 18, 2018 I keep PLPC in about a 4 year cycle; I smoke through the ones from 4-5 years earlier as I replenish each current year. I have found myself a bit ahead of the curve lately, since I have been into the 2014s for a few months now. I have EML April and May for 2014. I am about 10 cigars into the April cab and find them to be just coming around in the last few months. To contrast, I tried a '15 recently and it was still full of adolescent P&V. By "coming around" I completely second what NSXCigar said--PLPC goes from punchy insolence into a richer, more complex cigar at about this point in time. Many people describe the change as adding "caramel" to the mix. This can happen very suddenly. I find it fascinating to witness. It does not go from a "bad" tasting cigar to a good tasting one; it is more of a change of character. I will say that I have yet to experience a "bland" PLPC of any age. To the contrary, they can bite you when young. I am only aware of this cigar coming from EML (recoded as TOS) in this timeframe and so it is not likely factory variation at play. It may be that it is simply not your cup of tea. My suggestion? Forget about them and try one on a nice day in May. If you still feel the same at that time, you may wish to end the relationship. If it helps, they would be in demand and someone will be glad to do a trade or otherwise take them off your hands. Happy to send a couple of my '14s your way if you wish to do a comparo in the meantime to rule out the bad box possibility. Just PM me. 3
Aardwolf Posted January 18, 2018 Posted January 18, 2018 1 hour ago, NSXCIGAR said: PLPC isn't a cigar that should be bland when new in anyone's judgement. Sounds like you may just have a bad box, although that's a box code that produced lots of great stuff. PL as a marca doesn't typically go from bland to flavorful with time. It goes from a bit "mongrel" and one dimensional to smoother and richer with the caramel flavors. 8 minutes ago, foursite12 said: I find it fascinating to witness. It does not go from a "bad" tasting cigar to a good tasting one; it is more of a change of character. I will say that I have yet to experience a "bland" PLPC of any age. To the contrary, they can bite you when young. Maybe 'bland' was not the most accurate description, how about 'characterless' or 'lackluster' - not insipid flavorwise.
Cubadust Posted January 18, 2018 Posted January 18, 2018 Like above I’m about ten cigars in to an EML box, mine being May. And I have an empty EML Ene 14. Yeah, like already been mentioned, I would never discribe a PLPC as bland, no matter how young they were. My guess is you got a dud-box. Skickat från min iPhone med Tapatalk 1
Slyclient Posted January 18, 2018 Author Posted January 18, 2018 Like above I’m about ten cigars in to an EML box, mine being May. And I have an empty EML Ene 14. Yeah, like already been mentioned, I would never discribe a PLPC as bland, no matter how young they were. My guess is you got a dud-box. Skickat från min iPhone med TapatalkYeah, that's my thought too. I'm hoping the Prez posts some good ones soon on the 24 24. I'll be one of the first in line. Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
TheFullMontecristo Posted January 18, 2018 Posted January 18, 2018 Sorry you're having issues with yours but I have about 1/2 Cab left from EML MAY 14, and each one I smoke just gets better and better. 1
canadianbeaver Posted January 18, 2018 Posted January 18, 2018 And you do not need to wait for a 24-24. They are in the store now. Same stock.
99call Posted January 18, 2018 Posted January 18, 2018 10 minutes ago, Slyclient said: I'm hoping the Prez posts some good ones soon on the 24 24. They are no way the same cigar, but have you tried any of the Picadores?. I find them to be great ROTT, and although they may never grow old to put out the degree of caramel sweetness as the PC. They have oodles of flavour. cream, caramel, a sort of sweet pea/cut grass sweetness. 1
Slyclient Posted January 18, 2018 Author Posted January 18, 2018 17 minutes ago, TheFullMontecristo said: Sorry you're having issues with yours but I have about 1/2 Cab left from EML MAY 14, and each one I smoke just gets better and better. Damn those are beautiful! I'm so jealous. LoL I can smell them through my computer screen.
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