Some days are disappointments

[Ginseng]

I'd consider myself an almost exclusive smoker of Habanos. But I do keep and buy a few singles of NC here and there because I've enjoyed them in the past or because someone has recommended them. Then there are the cigars that I've found over the years to be reliable and standouts among a rather mediocre sea of sticks. Today, harsh reality crashed on my cigar shores after a few recent stellar experiences with some well-rested Habanos. 

I had work out on the deck today and so I selected two cigars that I've had good history with over the years. Maybe Jupiter was out of alignment or the spirit of Hatuey sough to punish me for straying, but today was not a good day.

First up: Ashton VSG, Virgin Sun Grown Torpedo, 6.5" x 55 rg

The good news: This was an attractive cigar. Construction was high-grade and the wrapper was supple and rich in appearance. Purchased in the last few weeks from a local tobacconist, it was kept in my ready-to-smoke cooler. Since NC are pretty much ready to go at any time, I picked it to start me off.

The bad news: Everything else. Cold aroma was muted and a bit cardboardy. It lit well enough and that was the end of the fun with this thing. It started out dry on the palate and sharp. Shortly thereafter, pretty much all I got was light, ashy tobacco and black pepper. It didn't change it didn't warm up. Nothing. It certainly didn't remind me of the various vitals in this line that I had enjoyed in years past. They were good enough that I bought them by the box. But this one...I'd rather have smoked a Backwoods. 

Second up: Padron 5000, 5.5" x 56 rg

The good news: It looked like every other Padron "k" series cigar ever made.

The bad news: Again, everything else starting with the draw. Windtunnel, nuff said. Smoke was voluminous though. And after blew into it a half dozen times, warmed it up, and massaged the barrel a bit, it tightened up slightly. I have to say I was really surprised. I've smoke several 2000 and 3000 in recent weeks and they were all entirely as expected. Good draw, strong, dark, toasty tobacco. This one, had none of that. Just hot and harsh without any depth or richness. Again, uncharacteristic. 

The ashtray shots are when I had to put them down and put an end to this losing proposition.

Summation:

I don't know what the heck happened. My palate was clean and clear and I had my typical barley tea. But today...was not a good day. I'm resolved that tomorrow, I'm going to dig out a RyJ Cazadores or some other reliable Habanos and set the universe straight. Sheesh.

[LordAnubis]

Serves you right for being a traitor to the glory of the Cuban leaf 🤣

[Cairo]

I have a lot (too many) old (er well aged 🙂 ) NCs.

The VSGs do not age well in my experience.

The ten year plus Padron 000 series is hit or miss (weird for a brand known for its consistency).    Maybe half of them are as you described.

The "sleeper" NC imho is El Rico Habano--that powerhouse seems to have legs that will outlive me for sure....also my ten year plus Olivas (any of them) are doing very well.

That said--the NCs are not even in the same league as the four year old Connie A I am smoking now....

[cigcars]

           *Well, just to add my 2 cents: the Ashton ESG is in my view a wonderful smoke. VERY flavorful, smooth and full. And for the Padron - I've got only the highest praise for the 45th Family Anniversary sticks as opposed to the more ordinary 1000 series, etc. Both extremely expensive smokes, but they well earn their place among beloved flavorful aromatic aficionado sticks! 

[Ginseng]

I enjoy the Padron '64, but they are frankly too spendy. Excellent for what they are but in no way worth the cost anymore. I did enjoy the Monarca and Diplomatics enough to buy the maduro by the box a long time ago. Never developed a taste for the ESG. At this point, I don't suppose I'm going to try. 

I have kept and smoked just a few 8-10 yr old Padron, including the monster 9x50 Magnum. I agree, after more than just a few years, there's not much left of the leaf, I'm afraid. 

The Drew Estate Liga Privada No. 9 are powerhouses and I would expect them to do well over the short-medium term. But again, spend.

I don't know what it is about NC. I find that for the $15-20 you might spend on a top line cigar, it just feels like a far worse value than comparably, or lesser priced Habanos. 

Well, in any case, back on the wagon tomorrow, lads!

[PigFish]

... the good news Wilkey... after smoking, or watching a NCC smoke, you have nowhere to go but up!

Cheers! -R

[Habana Mike]

Bold starting with a VSG. Those were blended to be strong.

Made the mistake shortly after they came out taking one out deep sea fishing off Puerto Rico. Late night, already feeling a little rough. Seas picked up and I turned green.

Practically the only time I ever was a bit seasick....

[Enduin]

I used to like the VSGs 9-10 years ago, usually the smaller vitolas, then lost interest in the flavor profile. I will say, though, I have not found NCs to be any better than CCs in terms of resting after shipping and being always ready to go... I always acclimated them in the humi before smoking like with CCs and generally regretted smoking them ROTT. Also while NCs might have fewer instances of cigars that are too young to be smoked, I still had several NCs that were just freaking harsh due to both being too young and blended too strong, just like I had at least one with very obvious ammonia still present (I believe it was a LFD chisel).

For the Padron, I never had good luck with the x000 series so after buying and tossing a few I gave up on them. Must be said I never found the Anniversary series to be worth the cost, so maybe it's just me, I know most rave about Padrons, I always found other NCs to be more interesting and at a better price point...

[havanaclub]

Had an OR 2006 ESG last week and it was excellent. Thought it aged very well. Never had one fresh, only VSG.


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[djrey]

10 hours ago, Enduin said:

I never found the Anniversary series to be worth the cost, so maybe it's just me, I know most rave about Padrons, I always found other NCs to be more interesting and at a better price point...

It's not just you. I used to enjoy a few from the x000 line such as the Londres or 2000 and figured I would treat myself to the 1926 and 1964. First time they were dreadfully boring. Figured it must be me so I would buy a different size and try again. Boring. I guess they just aren't for me. 

[Enduin]

Glad to hear it’s not just me! I had a few 1926 and 1964 both in maduro and natural wrapper, the maduro ones I actively disliked, I was getting some metallic notes that were just unpleasant. For the record I actually quite like a good Connecticut Broadleaf cigar when I’m in the mood for that chocolate, dark fruit, meaty bouquet, so it’s not like I have something against maduro wrappers, just the Padron ones that I tried were not doing it for me. The natural wrapper ones one the other hand were pleasant but boring. To be fair they were among of the most “cuban-like” NCs I tried, but not like very good cubans, more like when you get a meh cuban cigar where all you get is toasted tobacco and coffee. It’s not unpleasant but it’s not very exciting either. 
 

One thing I will say is that I never had issues with Padrons being too harsh or full of the damn black pepper/nicotine that plagues so many NCs, so I believe that they are quality cigars made in a classic and traditional style, but the lack of complexity made me unwilling to pay the hefty price tag. 

[Tstew75]

Life's too short to smoke NCs 😁

[Ginseng]

I don't think NC are totally devoid of cigars worth smoking. It's just that for whatever reason, it's harder to find a satisfying cigar among NC. That's really the bottom line for me.

[BBS]

I used to have a couple boxes of Padron around, but IMHO they've changed over time and not for the better.  And gotten terribly expensive.  Or maybe my taste buds revolted, hard to say....😉

I had a box of Padron 64's that over a few years clearly went "over the hill"....like smoking air.  Really surprising, very disappointing.  

I do like an NC now and then, just for a change in the rotation.  There are some I like that I find very worthwhile.  As they say, one man's opinion.

 

 

[Enduin]

1 hour ago, Ginseng said:

I don't think NC are totally devoid of cigars worth smoking. It's just that for whatever reason, it's harder to find a satisfying cigar among NC. That's really the bottom line for me.

Could have not said it better myself. 

 

[Ginseng]

Well. it's too darn windy today. Redemption will have to wait until the weekend.

[Enduin]

I had a cigar planned for yesterday (a NC too as it happens) and had to postpone due to being too hot during the day and too mosquito-y at night which is nonsense for April... This past year the weather has been a bit ridiculous. I feel your pain, I hate postponing a scheduled smoking session!

[Huckleberry]

I gave up on NCs a few years ago but since I frequent lounges in the winter when I’m traveling for work I have had to re visit.

I don’t smoke many you find advertising in magazines, few of the big brands or prolific advertisers.  In my experience it’s harder to find a really enjoyable one simply because there are so many options.  There just aren’t that many CCs to choose from nowadays so identifying what you like is way more efficient, simple if you will.  
 

That being said, there are many readily available and enjoyable NCs available for the person who mostly smokes CCs.  The Curivari line is a great place for starters.  Are they CCs?  No!!!  Do they possess similar qualities I enjoy in a CC?  Absolutely they do.  Don’t get me wrong, you can’t replace a CC with any NC but certain lines possess complexity, lowish nicotine and aren’t just wrecked with high pepper blasts.

Padrons have always been well constructed but they bore me.  There are many more adventurous NCs that smoke way better and are way more interesting, for a lot less money.