Rate My Wrapper

[filltang]

Being relatively new to this whole scene, I'm curious as to your opinions of these four sets of wrappers. It was my first CC purchase while on honeymoon in Grand Cayman (not from an LCDH, but from another reputable B&M on the island). My purpose for this exercise is to try to gain some experience and insight in grading cigars the way the expert @El Presidente does. Surely I'll never be on that level, but the only way to learn is practice and repetition.

 

As for the general disclaimer, of course, photos can only go so far, without having a box right in front of you to truly give a worthwhile opinion. I did try to get the best possible photos that accurately represent what these look like in person.

 

So... with that being said, what do you think I've got? PSP? HQ? PE? A pile of dog doo-doo? Honesty is preferred

 

Thanks in advance!

 

1. Cohiba Siglo VI REG DIC 17

 

2. HDM Epicure No. 2 GOM DIC 17

 

 

3. Montecristo No. 2 UBM OCT 17

 

 

4. Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios MSU NOV 17

 

[GotaCohiba]

The SIG VI look horrid,  enter send them to me

[cigarbigboy]

I'll go out on a limb here.  First I'd say not one of them is a dog.  They all look great.  Frequently people prefer the darker wrappers.  Obviously the Genios would win in that category.  That's a given since it is a maduro.  But you also want silky, non-veiny wrappers.  Unfortunately the angle of the light can misrepresent how big the veins are, but the Siglo VI looked the best in that category, with the Monte 2 seeming the roughest.

[filltang]

1 minute ago, cigarbigboy said:

I'll go out on a limb here.  First I'd say not one of them is a dog.  They all look great.  Frequently people prefer the darker wrappers.  Obviously the Genios would win in that category.  That's a given since it is a maduro.  But you also want silky, non-veiny wrappers.  Unfortunately the angle of the light can misrepresent how big the veins are, but the Siglo VI looked the best in that category, with the Monte 2 seeming the roughest.

Thanks. I would agree that's also how I see it. Goes in part with what Rob has been saying, that 25's of Monte 2's lately have been no good.

The Sig VI feel the oiliest in my hand. I've smoked one of each (sans Genios), and I'd rate them Sig VI, Epi 2, Monte 2.

[luv2fly]

Pictures can be deceiving.  I would say based on the pics given,  looks good to me.  It all boils down to what you prefer in a wrapper.  I have had dark and oily cigars that were just ok and cigars with the ugly sister wrapper that smoked a dream.  IMHO of course.  

[Cayman17]

I certainly wouldn’t be very worried, especially about those Siglo VI. They look delicious 

[filltang]

Just now, Cayman17 said:

I certainly wouldn’t be very worried, especially about those Siglo VI. They look delicious 

 

Not so much that I'm "worried," as to I want to be able to learn how to pick out my own boxes in the future with consistency.

I'm sure the ordering I'm doing on 24:24 will definitely help to set that needle.

 

[LLC]

Wrappers look fine but feel and smell are probably more important and from a picture that can’t be determined. Hope you really enjoy them.


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[El Presidente]

thickness, feel, aroma, tensile nature (not brittle), are all far more important than colour shade. 

[Danimalia]

6 hours ago, filltang said:

Thanks. I would agree that's also how I see it. Goes in part with what Rob has been saying, that 25's of Monte 2's lately have been no good.

The Sig VI feel the oiliest in my hand. I've smoked one of each (sans Genios), and I'd rate them Sig VI, Epi 2, Monte 2.

I wouldn't say those Monte 2 look bad at all. I think the person who originally brought up the veins was doing so in comparison to the others. Have you smoked any yet? What did you think?

Edit: Just read your full comment. D'oh. I think your Cayman guy took good care of you, though. Nice cigars.

[filltang]

4 minutes ago, Danimalia said:

I wouldn't say those Monte 2 look bad at all. I think the person who originally brought up the veins was doing so in comparison to the others. Have you smoked any yet? What did you think?

 

Smoked one, and I think it was just not acclimatized. Didn't burn well nor taste like, anything really. This coming Monday will make 4 full weeks of true resting for them (with 3 weeks being at 70f/70rh and 1 week at 70f/65rh). I think they need to settle down a little longer before I can really form any fair assessment.

But man, is it ever hard to let them sit when they're staring you in the face every day!

[filltang]

On that same token, the Siglos are starting off beautifully with notes of honey, coffee with cream, but seemed to lose its luster in the final third. Again, probably a sign of youth (but correct me if I'm wrong?)

[filltang]

9 minutes ago, Danimalia said:

Edit: Just read your full comment. D'oh. I think your Cayman guy took good care of you, though. Nice cigars.

Thanks, I would give (her) a shout out - but given the rules re: mentioning vendors (albeit this was a B&M), I'm going to keep my mouth shut unless someone tells me that's ok. 

[cfc1016]

People care way too much about wrappers. It’s not the only thing that makes a cigar good 

[filltang]

People care way too much about wrappers. It’s not the only thing that makes a cigar good 

Alright my dude... I’m just trying to learn here!


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[cfc1016]

9 minutes ago, filltang said:

 

Alright my dude... I’m just trying to learn here!


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I'm not criticizing you. I'm making a general statement. People get so caught up in this craze over wrappers, it seems they're becoming fetishised. Now people get worried about wrappers being indication of poor quality, and such other concerns. I'm just saying I think that at large, the cigar smoking community is getting unhealthily obsessed with wrappers.

Again - it's not a direct statement about you. Just a perhaps misplaced rant. Sorry.

[El Corojo]

I like my Monte's a bit on the light side, but that is just me. Everything looks great.

[fastkiller13]

I can't really tell much from the photos except you're a terrible photographer. I recommend sending me several of each for a proper examination and grading. 

[Danimalia]

12 hours ago, filltang said:

 

Smoked one, and I think it was just not acclimatized. Didn't burn well nor taste like, anything really. This coming Monday will make 4 full weeks of true resting for them (with 3 weeks being at 70f/70rh and 1 week at 70f/65rh). I think they need to settle down a little longer before I can really form any fair assessment.

But man, is it ever hard to let them sit when they're staring you in the face every day!

Yeah, I bet by the fall those Monte 2 will be excellent. Enjoy!

[PigFish]

You gonna' gaze at them or smok'em? I guess I never bought into the whole 'trophy-wife' concept.

-tP