Partagas Shorts Metallic Taste Only in Second Row (Box of 25)

[JD_Stogies]

I got a box of 25 Party Shorts last year, and the box date was some time in 2023 (will double check when I get back home). Every cigar in the first row was a banger — hit all of the cream, spice, sourdough notes that I enjoy. However, as soon as I smoked the first cigar in the second row, I wasn't able to get the same level of complexity and nuance, and instead I got a very very strong metallic (almost blood-like) taste. Basically went from a consistent 91-94 point experience to almost unsmokable. Could this perhaps be trapped ammonia or something else? Same issue when I smoked a second cigar from the second row yesterday. Just weird how big the difference is!