Strength over time?

[aavkk]

Reading Pnut's great review of the 97' RA Corona has me thinking. Ive read that certain cigars increase in strength over time; can I expect certain marcas or certain vitolas within marcas to consistently increase in strength? For those that have experience smoking out of cabs from their youth to 10 years old or more are there certain smokes that consistently build or maintain their body?

[shrink]

Good sujbect. I've been meaning to post on this topic for a while. Yes, most of us recognize that cigars mature over time, which usually means that the tannins soften, and the underlying flavor profile becomes more distinct. However, some cigars get stronger, not only in flavor, but in body or overall "impact" on the senses. Here are several from my experience:

2003 Upmann No. 2 - this MF was medium-bodied at best when young in 2004, and just continues to get stronger with time. I need a tall glass of something cool when I burn one of these babies, and it really gives the mucuous membranes a workout. Dark, bitter expresso with black pepper and a hint of cocoa.

2006 Juan Lopez Coronas - this one was ridiculously mild when first sampled, and although I've only had three, each one has gotten progressively more intense. The last one tasted like spicy pipe tobacco. Instead of smoking 'em all up by now, as I had expected (the flavor was quite good), I'm putting 'em away for another year, hoping that they mellow out.

2001 PSD3 EL - perhaps the strongest cigar in my humi, I refer to these CG's as "sledgehammers". These are wonderfully flavorful, but they're as spicy as habanero peppers, mixed with those tiny Indonesian peppers that they use for executions. I don't think they'll ever mellow out, just descend into a micro black burning hell hole reserved for the truly masochistic. I love 'em, but they're getting stronger every year.

[Jimmy2]

H Upmann tend to get stronger with age...

[aavkk]

Bob- this is yet another reason why I love this hobby. I am going to have a lot of fun watching my smokes develop over time. I just smoked an 02 LGC #4 that was extremely intense on the senses. This was very strong while extremely complex and flavorful- I'm curious what these smoked like ROTT.

Jimmy I have also heard that Upmann's increase in strength in time, in fact I think we had this very conversation at the HD herf when Lisa swung through NYC. I have a 98' Connie 1 Ive been meaning to burn and am very much looking forward to it.

[Colt45]

I can't say consistently, but I'll give another Upmann as an example - '05 Magnum 46. I've a box that started out fairly bland

and mundane. Over this past year, they've really started to come around - becoming much fuller and more flavorful.

In my case, I think the term fuller is more appropriate than stronger.

[shrink]

In my case, I think the term fuller is more appropriate than stronger.

Colt, in your case, I think we all agree that you're becoming "fuller" rather than "stronger".

[kjellfrick]

I can't say consistently, but I'll give another Upmann as an example - '05 Magnum 46. I've a box that started out fairly bland

and mundane. Over this past year, they've really started to come around - becoming much fuller and more flavorful.

In my case, I think the term fuller is more appropriate than stronger.

I'm just finishing a Magnum 46 -06 from a cab that has been in the doldrums for all its life until tonight. This one is brilliant; fullbodied, smooth, tasty and nothing like the hesitant anemic dissappointing schmock the others have been. Lucky me have found another cab to smoke from!

[Colt45]

Colt, in your case, I think we all agree that you're becoming "fuller" rather than "stronger".

EXACTLY!

Like a great wine.

hey wait......

that..is.......what you meant.......

right?

[anacostiakat]

EXACTLY!

Like a great wine.

hey wait......

that..is.......what you meant.......

right?

Upmanns need five at least I think. You can try them preiodically but my rule is five at least and 7 - 8 preferred.

Mild cigars dont seem to change as much as medium cigars to me. Just an observation.

[El Presidente]

I don't think there is a definitive answer. There are simply too many variations production to production, factory to factory, year to year.

There are however "observations"

Upmann appears to grow in body past 5 years (excluding Winston). Juan Lopez is all over the shop....the early 06 were killers but it is not the norm. I haven't found in the main an increase in body over time. Complexity yes.....body no.

Rafael Gonzalez currnetly are a shadow of heir former selves. Punch on the other hand are a steroid infused brother to former productions.

R&J much the same year on year. Dips same. Partagas...well they are bulls at the gate young and simply refine. HDM far fuller currently than previous years. Sancho's have decreased in quality but you still get that great run of boxes. I don't find they increase in body over they years. La Gloria Cubana do and they are one of the great beneficiaries of aging.

I just can't run a consistant line on the subject.

[Boston Mike]

I totally agree with you assessment of the 2001 PSD3 EL. Almost too strong for me to smoke even while drinking booze!

[Don Candido]

I read this whole thread with a misunderstanding; I thought we were talking about cigars consistently increasing in strength over the time the cigar is being smoked. I was going to give plenty of examples. It seemed too easy...

I re-read the first question, thought about it for a second and decided, that no, in my personal experience, there has never been a cigar which consistently stays as strong or stronger with enough age. It always eventually seems to go the other way.