When they're good they're good

[patrickamory]

This is a thread about variation in-box.

2016 cab of Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 2. Purchased (aged) in June, first two tasted after 30 days' rest, next two were in late September, and then the fifth today, on October 21.

My notes only say that the first two were "wonderful." The next pair were with a friend, and went out a couple times during the first third. Smoked better after that, but nothing special. My friend is new to Cubans, and when I said, "maybe we should try something else," and pulled out some Siglo I's, she said, "I was thinking the same thing but didn't want to say anything." The Siglos rescued that evening.

Then the fifth one, tonight, was superb! Nutty, intense, satin mouthfeel, started with earth and hay, white spice and almonds appeared at the halfway mark. Smoked down to the nub.

WTF?! Just Cuban quality control, or something else going on?

Tupperdor, hygrometer shows 64%. Maybe this is just the CC lyfe?

[Corylax18]

Yeah, welcome to the world of Cuban Cigars. Its less common for this NOT to happen. You could theoretically have cigars rolled by 25 different rollers in a single box. Slight variations in any part of the process add up quick when you compare like to like. Enjoy the good/great ones and try to forget about the bad ones. Get used to it though. 

[NSXCIGAR]

Cuba being Cuba.

Many times I have had 24/25 cigars be average and then one cigar be stupendous. It happened with a 2016 box of Monte 4, a 2012 box of BCJ, a 2017 box of Connie 1. And I'm talking a 95 pointer when the other 24 have been 89-91s. 

[cigaraholic]

Reviewing a cigar is like reviewing a shooting star.....

[patrickamory]

Thanks all, and of course I take the point.

Inconsistency is the rule...

[Bigpink]

It could also have been the difference after resting. I bet in another month or two the next one that you smoke will be as good as the first. 

[patrickamory]

8 hours ago, Bigpink said:

It could also have been the difference after resting. I bet in another month or two the next one that you smoke will be as good as the first. 

I get that... but the first two were excellent. It was the next two that were the dogs!

 

Today's haul (host)... QdO 50 from December 2020 ROTT. Wrappers are beautiful. Smoking like a prince in the first third.

[Enduin]

That's not that unusual. Sometimes cigars smoked ROTT or within 2-3 weeks actually taste better than the following ones for a bit, then usually (but not alwasy) they go back to being good after a few more months. I had this happen to me more than once.

[patrickamory]

1 minute ago, Enduin said:

That's not that unusual. Sometimes cigars smoked ROTT or within 2-3 weeks actually taste better than the following ones for a bit, then usually (but not alwasy) they go back to being good after a few more months. I had this happen to me more than once.

Super-interesting. Not unlike what happens with wine!

[patrickamory]

In contrast, this PSP RASS ROTT was not a hit (uneven burning the main issue) when it arrived in July. Now smoking like a dream. ENE 21.