Limitadas and the SICK Period

[toledo1969]

So last Sunday when I re-found my copy of Min Ron Nee's book, I read about the Sick Period. And I started to remember all these Limitadas that I have been smoking that one year were wonderful and the next they really sucked. For instance I had a Partagas Series D #1 2004 that last year was my favorite smoke, and this year the flavors went harsh. Same thing with the Bolivar Petit Belicosos and may others. But then again I had an Hoyo Piramide 2003 and It was one of the best Habanos ive had in a long time, and before they were just OK.  

 

Any thoughts ??

[toledo1969]

Another Example that were non Limitadas, was for the SLR Churchills from 2000, I bought 2 boxes years ago, the Barnyard Smell would just not go away, and they smoked very mediocre and the taste was just not there. But all of sudden after 18 years these have become my favorite Habanos, the only bad part is that I gave most of them away as giveaway habanos. 

[earthson]

Hmmmm... haven't had an EL that ever appeared to leave its sick period. Last check-in were RA Extras and RyJ Duke last fall. I don't know what I'm supposed to do with these RA Club Allones.  Thankfully only 7 left, but these might be the first box I age 20+ yrs.

[Lotusguy]

HDM Short Hoyo Piramides - they weren’t just sick, they were dead - and they remained that way. Worst LE ever.

[bpm32]

What do you guys mean by sick period? I had always assumed that meant ammoniacal off-gassing, which should be long gone after a year(?)

[PrairieSmoke]

Never heard about a sick period a decade plus out... this is in his book?


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[JohnS]

55 minutes ago, bpm32 said:

What do you guys mean by sick period? I had always assumed that meant ammoniacal off-gassing, which should be long gone after a year(?)

 

46 minutes ago, PrairieSmoke said:

Never heard about a sick period a decade plus out... this is in his book?


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Yes, the 'sick period' is mentioned in MRN's, "An Illustrated History of Post-Revolution Havana Cigars". There's some further information on the topic in the thread quoted above.

[PapaDisco]

what's the right term, "second maturation?" at 20 years or so?

[luvdunhill]

What do you guys mean by sick period? I had always assumed that meant ammoniacal off-gassing, which should be long gone after a year(?)

 

I can only prove this by sticking your nose into a few cabs I have that for whatever reason this ammonia smell can reappear later.

 

Two examples I have right now are:

 

BCG (50) TEB DIC 07

SLR DC (50) EST DIC 07

 

No way to explain this, but the smell unmistakable.

 

 

[ayepatz]

I think patience has something to do with this.

My palate seems to prefer cigars with a bit of age on them (different times for different marcas and vitolas).

I don’t think there is a quantifiable period of right or wrong (or healthy or sick, if you will) for any Cuban cigars.

Buy a box, and keep sticking your nose in there until they smell enticing. Then try one. If it’s a corker, then fill your boots. If not, put them away again, and reassess later. 

Only through a combination of smelling and smoking will you learn what suits your tastes. And it will vary. Some boxes of a favoured cigar will smoke better earlier or later depending.

By any measure, these are not cheap items. Buy from a source you trust, cherish them, and nurture them as if they were top quality wines. Enjoy them when they hit their peak for your palate.

There are no absolutes in this process. One man’s meat is another man’s poison.

[PigFish]

On 8/23/2018 at 6:02 PM, bpm32 said:

What do you guys mean by sick period? I had always assumed that meant ammoniacal off-gassing, which should be long gone after a year(?)

Okay... this will get me flack!

A collector reason why the super expensive cigars he just sold you taste like crap! Don't believe all you read in the cigar world!

-Piggy

[PigFish]

Understanding Cuban cigars means knowing that not all cigars from the same box are alike. Some are just crap and no amount of aging, luck, skill or Alicorn horn dust is going to fix it.

Welcome to the pitfalls of Cuban cigars. You did it all right. You bought it from an honest vendor. Stored it properly. Patiently waited on it to 'age.' Lit it with a soft flame.... And it sucked anyway!

-Piggy

[Derboesekoenig]

9 hours ago, luvdunhill said:

 

I can only prove this by sticking your nose into a few cabs I have that for whatever reason this ammonia smell can reappear later.

 

Two examples I have right now are:

 

BCG (50) TEB DIC 07

SLR DC (50) EST DIC 07

 

No way to explain this, but the smell unmistakable.

 

 

Sweet baby jesus. These 2 are on my list...but have yet to find them! Ammonia smell or not. Came in the game too late

[Akela3rd]

Okay... this will get me flack!
A collector reason why the super expensive cigars he just sold you taste like crap! Don't believe all you read in the cigar world!
-Piggy

This^ coupled with the fact that the huge amount of plume on them proves that they have been meticulously stored in perfect conditions...

Sent from my ActionMan walkie-talkie

[PigFish]

3 hours ago, Akela3rd said:

This^ coupled with the fact that the huge amount of plume on them proves that they have been meticulously stored in perfect conditions...

Sent from my ActionMan walkie-talkie
 

... don't even go there!!! -LOL

[bpm32]

If people can’t get their conditions right to achieve the glorious plume, it should be available for sale in bags. $100 per gram. Sprinkle it on yourself.