One Box Code to be wary of: BRE Aug 2018

[Glass Half Full]

A warning, in case it's helpful:  In my experience, the H. Upmann Connossieur A – Box Code:  BRE Ago 2018 – is one to be wary of.

Well, I started this evening with another try from my to-date, ill-fated H. Upmann Connossieur A cab (originally 25):  purchased at the Caracol Trinidad in Cuba at the end of 2018.  (I waited till 2020 to start trying them.)

Some may have seen past postings in which (counter to form, I hope) I struggled to find anything positive to say about this cigar, …BUT tonight was different!  For starters, it wasn’t plugged!  …As had been my first 8 others from this box – I do suggest avoiding this box code.  (Given that it was from a Carocol in Cuba, I believe it to have been genuine.)  Given my past frustrations with plugged cigars from this Cab, I (finally) bought a Perfect Draw tool and had it at the ready tonight.  …Then, low and behold, tonight’s Connie from that box had an excellent draw all on it’s own (no modification needed); it was as if carrying an umbrella had warded off the rain like it sometimes seems   

First and 2^nd thirds from this tonight’s Connie A from that box were very good.  Not complex, but good flavors.  I felt like I could post a note about understanding what this often, well-admired cigar was all about!  Pics below.  

…But then came the 3^rd third.  Sadly and frankly, it was turned into an experience I imagine to be like smoking a wet rag.  I truly tried to give it a go, but just wasn’t going to suffer through something that was supposed to bring joy at the end of the day.  No tool (perfect draw or otherwise) can fix a plainly badly batched cigar.  So I let it go…

For all out there, I suggest at least being wary of anything with the code BRE Ago 2018.  

While I get that inconsistencies are part what you accept from smoking Cuban cigars -- part of the “fun” (if you will) about CCs – For example, I agree with Lrabold89 that some Trinidad Vigias can be so remarkably complex and satisfying that you are struck with what must be perfection.  While even those Trinis can be inconsistent, the ones that are truly “on” make up for the ones that fall slightly short.  

However, I believe consistently bad performance -- as in these HU Connie A BRE Ago 2018 -- should be avoided at all cost IMO.  

Sorry to say.  Sure hope this is helpful to someone.  

[SCgarman]

Personally I don't feel the $350-$400 price tag for the Connie A is worth it. I have yet to hear rave reviews of this particular cigar. I am burning through a BRE '17 box of Upmann Connie #1 and let me say they are absolutely fantastic. Every one out of the box so far. And they weren't even close to the price tag of the Connie A. Sorry that you apparently have a bum box, others have mentioned issues with your particular box code.

[El Presidente]

One box or sampled from several of same code?

[Meesterjojo]

1 hour ago, NYgarman said:

Personally I don't feel the $350-$400 price tag for the Connie A is worth it. I have yet to hear rave reviews of this particular cigar. I am burning through a BRE '17 box of Upmann Connie #1 and let me say they are absolutely fantastic. Every one out of the box so far. And they weren't even close to the price tag of the Connie A. Sorry that you apparently have a bum box, others have mentioned issues with your particular box code.

I love em. So much I bought a regular box and an aged box off a certain official site (aged  2017) last night.

And not going to lie, the start of the story was some chilling, suspense until the perfect draw part. Shew. 

[Glass Half Full]

1 hour ago, El Presidente said:

One box or sampled from several of same code?

In fairness, it's just the one box.  Perhaps it was a one-off, but I've never experienced an entire bum box.  (Maybe I'm lucky  

[NSXCIGAR]

Q3-Q4 BRE 18 has been discussed several times. Some real crappy Connie 1s in that window. I had to stop buying them blind for a year because of it. Not all boxes were bad (in fact some people raved about some from that period) but I got burned on three straight boxes as did many others.

Q1 19 seems to be fine and no problems through present. 

 

[Meesterjojo]

Aww geeze, now I'm worried about the aged 2017 box I have coming.

[NSXCIGAR]

40 minutes ago, Meesterjojo said:

Aww geeze, now I'm worried about the aged 2017 box I have coming.

The problem appears to be isolated to AGO-DIC 18. Before and after were fine. Although I will say that all the 17-18 Connie A I had were on the lighter side. 

[La_Tigre]

Show of hands all who checked their H.Upmann stock for the foul BRE’s and breathed a breath of fresh air finding none… 🖐 

[Meesterjojo]

3 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

The problem appears to be isolated to AGO-DIC 18. Before and after were fine. Although I will say that all the 17-18 Connie A I had were on the lighter side. 

Lighter I'm good with. There's a certain melange of flavors that I really enjoy with the Connie A 

[LLC]

I posted last night in daily smokes that my second Connie A from BRE MAY 19 box was outstanding as the first had been. I checked my notes on that box code (would be various cigars) and didn’t see any duds, they were all better than average. 

[Bri Fi]

Not the Connie line, but I have a box of HU no 2s from BRE JUN 18 that are great. Wrappers look like they survived a nuclear war but flavors and construction leave nothing to be desired. 

[rcarlson]

5 hours ago, La_Tigre said:

Show of hands all who checked their H.Upmann stock for the foul BRE’s and breathed a breath of fresh air finding none… 🖐 

Ha.  That's exactly what I did.  Tore into my BRE NOV 18 Connie 1's thinking of new curse words to describe what I expected to be an entire box of foul smelling kindling.  And. . . 

They've been great.  Classic Connie 1's, maybe even above average for a really good stick.  Now I only have handful left.

Hadn't heard the that the Connie A's were victims of the BRE Q3-4 18 box code hazard.  Love the A's (none from the dreaded 18 code though). 

I've found the HU's from 17 to present to be on the mark, except the overpriced and unremarkable Connie 2.  If the price comes down, I might give the Connie 2 another try.  Would need a real push though.  Most of the guys I know that have had them have had a "meh" impression and wish they'd gone for the Connie 1 or A instead.      

[Wookie]

I have boxes of HU#2 in the BRE code ranging from early 2017 to late 2019.  All spectacular.  I know I have some April 18 BRE that have been very good.  I also know that I’m never overly enthusiastic about the Connie A in general.

[StogieSteve23]

Have two sticks left of a BRE-MAR-18 Connie A cab, all but 1 were excellent.  That single stick still had a great draw but tasted like ass. Bitter and wouldn’t stay lit. Have smoked many between 15-18 and a few 20 box codes. Would rank this smoke in my top 10 smokes for all time preference if I had to the rest of my life. I prefer it much more then the Connie B. 

Working through (probably 10 left) in a BRE-NOV-18 Mag46 cab, only 1 so far that was plugged and unsmokable. The others were delicious with a perfect draw. Have another unopened BRE-OCT-18 which I hope to yield the same results. 

Have a BRE-ENE-19 Connie 1 cab (10 or so left) and probably 5-7 have been smokable. The rest like sucking a golf ball through a garden hose. Judging by the tight bunghole bunching I see in the foot and overall firmness of the remaining sticks, I imagine the rest will be nearly unsmokable. 

Seems like luck of the draw with the BRE code. Overall, have loved the majority of the BRE coded sticks I’ve smoked, but have had certain issues as well. 
 

 

[SCgarman]

19 minutes ago, StogieSteve23 said:

Have two sticks left of a BRE-MAR-18 Connie A cab, all but 1 were excellent.  That single stick still had a great draw but tasted like ass. Bitter and wouldn’t stay lit. Have smoked many between 15-18 and a few 20 box codes. Would rank this smoke in my top 10 smokes for all time preference if I had to the rest of my life. I prefer it much more then the Connie B. 

Working through (probably 10 left) in a BRE-NOV-18 Mag46 cab, only 1 so far that was plugged and unsmokable. The others were delicious with a perfect draw. Have another unopened BRE-OCT-18 which I hope to yield the same results. 

Have a BRE-ENE-19 Connie 1 cab (10 or so left) and probably 5-7 have been smokable. The rest like sucking a golf ball through a garden hose. Judging by the tight bunghole bunching I see in the foot and overall firmness of the remaining sticks, I imagine the rest will be nearly unsmokable. 

Seems like luck of the draw with the BRE code. Overall, have loved the majority of the BRE coded sticks I’ve smoked, but have had certain issues as well. 
 

 

In your opinion are the Connie A worth the big coin (350-400) per box versus the Connie #1? I love the Connie 1 and even though they have skyrocketed to around $260/box, I have a hard time justifying 350-400 for a box of anything. Seems to be a myriad of opinions on the Connie A

[Tstew75]

13 hours ago, NYgarman said:

In your opinion are the Connie A worth the big coin (350-400) per box versus the Connie #1? I love the Connie 1 and even though they have skyrocketed to around $260/box, I have a hard time justifying 350-400 for a box of anything. Seems to be a myriad of opinions on the Connie A

You can still find Connie As in the $335 neighborhood, and Connie 1s around $225.

Even tho I have some boxes of As aging, I'll be putting all future HUP coin primarily into 1s & Sir Winnies.

[NSXCIGAR]

16 hours ago, NYgarman said:

In your opinion are the Connie A worth the big coin (350-400) per box versus the Connie #1?

Not at those prices but if you look you can find Connie A at $300 and Connie 1 at $225, so you're paying about the same per gram. 

Connie B at $500 though, take a hike. I don't know what the heck is going on with prices on them. Hard pass on that. I'll spend the extra few bucks for Sir Winston. The Connie 2 is far too high as well. At most, it should be priced similar to the A. Right now it's 25% higher for no particular reason. 

But the more I think about it and smoke both (maybe recent A have just been on the lighter side...?) I really keep coming back to the 1. I always say the A is a "better" cigar but why then do I always prefer the 1? Is the A really better? It's smoother and a little more complex, but does that make it better? Is it just my personal preference or is the A really better? 

Similar thing with the Trini La Trova. Is it better than the Esmeralda or Fundy? It's smoother to be sure, but I found it too airy. I think I would take the Fundy or Esmeralda over a La Trova every time. So it it really better or just my preference?

[havanaclub]

Not at those prices but if you look you can find Connie A at $300 and Connie 1 at $225, so you're paying about the same per gram. 
Connie B at $500 though, take a hike. I don't know what the heck is going on with prices on them. Hard pass on that. I'll spend the extra few bucks for Sir Winston. The Connie 2 is far too high as well. At most, it should be priced similar to the A. Right now it's 25% higher for no particular reason. 
But the more I think about it and smoke both (maybe recent A have just been on the lighter side...?) I really keep coming back to the 1. I always say the A is a "better" cigar but why then do I always prefer the 1? Is the A really better? It's smoother and a little more complex, but does that make it better? Is it just my personal preference or is the A really better? 
Similar thing with the Trini La Trova. Is it better than the Esmeralda or Fundy? It's smoother to be sure, but I found it too airy. I think I would take the Fundy or Esmeralda over a La Trova every time. So it it really better or just my preference?

The only thing I can think of is why the Connie 2 is 25 percent more is because it’s a new release. Easy money if you ask me, you could probably price it higher and they still sell out.

I agree with you on the B, it’s a good smoke but I would take the A due to price and similar experience. I got my B cab in Cuba so that makes me feel better

About the A being lighter with older codes, I feel the same about that statement. I have 16s smoking great but they are much lighter than my 19s. Does anyone feel Connie A are built to smoke fresh? Maybe they don’t age particular well and go flat?

All the mag 46 smokers out there… do you find they are more tightly packed / rolled? I few here have said they were unsmokable. I have noticed the cabs I have do have tighter draws.


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[NSXCIGAR]

1 hour ago, havanaclub said:

The only thing I can think of is why the Connie 2 is 25 percent more is because it’s a new release. Easy money if you ask me, you could probably price it higher and they still sell out.

I agree with you on the B, it’s a good smoke but I would take the A due to price and similar experience. I got my B cab in Cuba so that makes me feel better

About the A being lighter with older codes, I feel the same about that statement. I have 16s smoking great but they are much lighter than my 19s. Does anyone feel Connie A are built to smoke fresh? Maybe they don’t age particular well and go flat?

All the mag 46 smokers out there… do you find they are more tightly packed / rolled? I few here have said they were unsmokable. I have noticed the cabs I have do have tighter draws.

Obviously there is some "new release" markup going on with the 2 but it started really high. IMO, if it stays priced at or above the A it will be a disaster in the medium to long term. The A has a solid following. I'm not seeing any reports of the 2 being better than the A. Why would anyone choose the 2 over the A or the much lower priced 1 which, again, has a strong following. I am actually shocked that the B sells like it does, although it is a larger cigar. But 50% more than the A? And didn't the B initially come out closer to $400? What happened? The 2 should end up right around $275 splitting the 1 and the A. I highly doubt it will come down that far.

As far as the strength of the A, I found they seemed to get really light around 17-18. 14-16 seemed to be pretty full to me. Haven't had one recently but perhaps 19-20 are back at full strength. 

I've had terrible luck with Mag 46 forever. I'm not a fan of the blend to begin with but I find they often are really bitter and burn poorly. And now that you got me thinking, they do seem to be packed pretty tightly. Not always tight drawing but they can be quite firm. Odd because they mostly come from HU and I never see that with any other HU factory cigar. 

[Chucko8]

11 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

 

Similar thing with the Trini La Trova. Is it better than the Esmeralda or Fundy? It's smoother to be sure, but I found it too airy. I think I would take the Fundy or Esmeralda over a La Trova every time. So it it really better or just my preference?

I'm in agreeance with you on this also. My experiences on Trova have all been of airy nature in comparative.