PLPC EML MAY 2014 ERC

[Wailbait]

I love how the question was posed: review a cigar that (predictively or frequently) has a confection-esque quality.  It’s a great question because it got me thinking as to what I do and don’t like about desserts.  My knee jerk thought was, “I bet a lot of folks will review Montecristos.”  That’s certainly the first thing that came to my mind.  But it’s possible I don’t smoke many Montes for precisely this reason.  For desserts, I mostly like fruit pies or cakes that aren’t too sweet.  I had thought about having a Quai corona but mine are from 2015 and the last one I had just didn’t seem quite ready yet.  

Lets see how these PLPC from 2014 are coming along. When aged they are quite sweet but when young I find them sort of woodsy or forestry.  It’s an amazing transformation.  

Prelight:

no sweetness.  Some stone fruit.  Certainly not the sweet vanilla they will turn into.  Then again, these are less than 4 years old.

First 1/3

paired with a Manhattan.  I was surprised at how well this cigar went with the Manhattan.  I used Punt y Mes as the Vermouth which serendipitously brought out the stone fruit flavors of the cigar.  

Middle 1/3

somewhat uneventful.  I was surprised at how little changed.  It was at this point that it’s youth disclosed itself.  These will be great in a few years I believe.

Final 1/3

HERE was the transformation.  It wasn’t caramel.  It wasn’t vanilla.  But the stone fruit left-turned into a great bittersweet chocolate.  It was a great and compelling finish that got me thinking, “Maybe I should smoke more Montes....”

 

[Edeustace]

I absolutely love those PLPC I also have a cab from 2014 which are smoking incredibly well! I would however say after a big meal I tend to go for something a bit different such as a 1998 Punch ninfa

[Engineer99]

I've found these to be really great even in their youth. It seems the key, for me anyway, is dryboxing them sufficiently. Smokes from a half cab from our host have been very tasty and burn very well given some time in the penalty box. The parameters I judge on when a cigar is ready to burn are how easily the band slips off, firmness and give along the entire cigar, and this gentle crackling sound when gently rolled in the fingers.

I do have a cab that's been marination for the last 4 years as well, and look forward to what a half decade rest will reveal, but for now, a lot of the recent production marcas smoke well as long as they are given some time to dry out and stabilize.

[grizzlee]

I've accidently found the same for young PLPC. If the band is but loose due to dry boxing or storing around 60% RH, they are very pleasing at 12 months on. Will only get better with age, but not bad as a youngster.

[Peekay]

9 hours ago, Engineer99 said:

 It seems the key, for me anyway, is dryboxing them sufficiently.

I've also found this to be true. It can make a real difference to the experience.

[Wailbait]

5 hours ago, Peekay said:

I've also found this to be true. It can make a real difference to the experience.

This is why I love this forum!  I get great advice by those with more experience.  I have never done the drybox thing.  I plan on trying that next time I sample a PLPC.  Thank you, FOHers!

[TheMonk]

Good job! Unlike most, I really don't like my PLPC young, even with dryboxing... At least half a decade is usually needed, if not more, for them to really shine, to my taste that is!