Jerryvonkramer Posted July 14, 2023 Posted July 14, 2023 Just over a year ago, I bought my first box of Epi 2s. This was my first box of cigars period after I'd spent at least 5 years buying singles and samplers to learn my own tastes and whatnot. My local cigar shop is a Habanos specialist and they do have some aged stock, or certain sticks that have been there 2+ years, but in the main I have likely smoked a lot of cigars fresh. The box date on the Epi 2s was 2021, but I've just been trying them again recently after a year in the Humidor. Trouble is, they've changed so much I am not sure if it's supposed to be like that or if I've done something wrong in storage. I've been using the Joe Cool Crystals, which kept things at a constant 70% in the main. A few weeks back there was a massive heatwave here and it made my cigars go hard, I freaked out thinking they were ruined, but they seemed to come back after a few days. I've since switched over to the 65% Boveda packs because I think, if anything, the cigars were over-humidified. I have four desktop humidors, and I've dried them all out and re-seasoned them using rotation basically to "reset" each of them to being a 65% humidor. The Epi 2s I was used to as single sticks had a very specific profile: they'd start with some hay and wood, get a bit more hazlenut and sweetness into the second third, and then I'd get a strange hit of "salt" in the final third. I've tried two of the Epi 2s I've been aging in the past week and the profile is now totally different. Now it starts with cream -- I don't mean "creamy" in the sense we usually mean it, but like actual cream -- even cream that is starting to turn a bit sour. There is sort of a herbal tea taste in the background. And then as I approach the second third, a tanginess starts, it's a very powerful tang and I liken it to the aftertaste of cheesy wotsits. The sweetness that I am used to with Epi 2s is basically nowhere. Sourness and cheesy tang seem like odd flavours from an Epi 2 to me. Then in the final third the herbal tea notes come back stronger. The slightly sour cream is ever-present. I'm not against this different profile, it's interesting, not unpleasant, but it's so different that it seems odd to me. FoH is home to some of the most knowledgable people around with tons of experience. So I'm asking really: is this normal or have I somehow wrecked this box of Epi 2s? If so, what could I have done wrong? Any comments appreciated!
shokao Posted July 14, 2023 Posted July 14, 2023 How long they were stored at 70% and how long ago you've changed to 65%?
Jerryvonkramer Posted July 14, 2023 Author Posted July 14, 2023 6 minutes ago, shokao said: How long they were stored at 70% and how long ago you've changed to 65%? About a year at 70, just a few weeks at 65
La_Tigre Posted July 14, 2023 Posted July 14, 2023 4 minutes ago, Jerryvonkramer said: About a year at 70, just a few weeks at 65 Leave ‘em be for a couple months and revisit. 2
gormag38 Posted July 14, 2023 Posted July 14, 2023 I would agree with the members above; leave them be for a another 3-6 months at 65% rh (and < 70 F) and then revisit. Generally speaking I would think that 70rh is a little high for CCs and without some serious dry boxing you may be expected to have some harsh, acrid tastes from such a 'wet' cigar. Give them a nice long while to acclimate at the 65rh and I think some of those classic epi 2 flavors should come back. 1
targa88 Posted July 14, 2023 Posted July 14, 2023 You have not wrecked the box - it will just need time at lower RH% = I would err on the side of longer time at lower RH. Six months at least. In terms of personal preference - sometimes 65%RH can be too high. In terms of flavour profile = they have been referred to as the oreo cookie at times. Cream and cocoa dominate. Clove, flowers, cinnamon. 1
shokao Posted July 14, 2023 Posted July 14, 2023 41 minutes ago, Jerryvonkramer said: About a year at 70, just a few weeks at 65 You're ok then. The difference in flavor profile is due the higher RH that's been stored for most of the time. I would wait at least 6 months at 65% to give it another shot. Probably a year from now they'll be full restored to it's original flavor.
Fugu Posted July 14, 2023 Posted July 14, 2023 Like others said, just give them time. In particular after having incurred a considerable spike in temperature, as you say (and when stored at the moister end), younger cigars may develop odd or even "fermenting" notes - analogous to the infamous "sick period" described by MRN (or even before observed by Davidoff). Also what could happen during shipping. That's likely what you're witnessing there. As most of that is due to volatile or non-stable substances and/or an imbalance in tobacco moisture it is temporary, and you'll be fine again after some period of grace. And your Epi2s will sure climb to new heights. 2
GaryK 54 Posted July 14, 2023 Posted July 14, 2023 @Jerryvonkramer you’ve already received great advice regarding the change in flavour you’re picking up after a year in your storage at 70% RH. We all have slightly different smoking preferences, but generally most on this Forum would agree that cc taste better when stored at lower (<65% RH). What you’re tasting now is almost certainly related to the the cigars being over-humidified. Turning to your question about aging effects on the Epi 2 (the cigar that started me on my love of cc and a cigar I always come back to), as for my taste, this relatively mild cigar peaks at 3-5 years of age. After that, the flavours diminish and become fairly linear without much transition. I suspect this is an artifact of a mild cigar that begins to ‘lose its punch’ with more extensive aging. Regarding the flavour profile of the Epi 2, I normally get lots of cedar (some refer to this as ‘pencil shavings’), creamy coffee, cinnamon spice and dried fruit. The HdM line is still great value and a range of cigars that suits almost any time of day and any occasion. You’ve picked a good Marca and Vitola for your first box. Rest assured, they will be just fine after a bit more time at lower RH. 3
Fireball Posted July 14, 2023 Posted July 14, 2023 [mention=40640]Jerryvonkramer[/mention] you’ve already received great advice regarding the change in flavour you’re picking up after a year in your storage at 70% RH. We all have slightly different smoking preferences, but generally most on this Forum would agree that cc taste better when stored at lower (<65% RH). What you’re tasting now is almost certainly related to the the cigars being over-humidified. So this why we let cigars rest after they have been in transit. Makes sense. I always assumed it was to set/stabilize RH, but never knew. Thanks.
Jerryvonkramer Posted July 14, 2023 Author Posted July 14, 2023 Cheers for all these answers chaps. I’ll leave them another 5-6 months as suggested. I asked the owner of my local cigar shop today too and he gave exactly the same answer. Live and learn! 1
Popular Post Jerryvonkramer Posted September 1, 2023 Author Popular Post Posted September 1, 2023 Just thought I’d report back. Tried one tonight: pure chocolate bomb. Back with a vengeance. Thanks for all your advice guys. 6
BeerPimp Posted September 2, 2023 Posted September 2, 2023 For posterity. Don't get mad I am just razzing you. I know if I had purchased a box for 4 bills plus I would be anxious hoping they weren't duds. No way I would have waited 5 months.
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