SLR DC revisited

[Ken Gargett]

some members might recall my review of the SLR DC a little while ago - an 07 but don't have code with me. i absolutely loved it. stunning stuff. post the two reviews the other day, i pulled out a couple for rob and myself - no other takers. we didn't talk much about them but my impression, and rob can correct this, was that he found his to be very good. they were from the exact same cab as the earlier cracker. mine was okay but not really anything more. tough and leathery and needed a lot of attention.

what i have experienced from this cab has been two distinct styles. one are the absolute stunners; the other are the tough, chunky, solid things that really do need a decade i suspect. the problem is, no way to tell them apart and once you light it, if it is the latter, you cannot get the genie back in the bottle.

[anacostiakat]

some members might recall my review of the SLR DC a little while ago - an 07 but don't have code with me. i absolutely loved it. stunning stuff. post the two reviews the other day, i pulled out a couple for rob and myself - no other takers. we didn't talk much about them but my impression, and rob can correct this, was that he found his to be very good. they were from the exact same cab as the earlier cracker. mine was okay but not really anything more. tough and leathery and needed a lot of attention.

what i have experienced from this cab has been two distinct styles. one are the absolute stunners; the other are the tough, chunky, solid things that really do need a decade i suspect. the problem is, no way to tell them apart and once you light it, if it is the latter, you cannot get the genie back in the bottle.

That is why I am letting mine sit. . .

[DocRKS]

This inconsistency you observed I have also found to be more prevailing when considering the larger sized vitolas. It led me to adopt an 'in-house rule' that I normally won't open a box of these unless they have about 3 years age on them. Granted - it's not a hard and fast rule and it is quite fun to smoke a fresh made cigar every once in a while - but on the whole - a few years of age has served me well with Churchill and DC sized cigars.

[Ginseng]

This inconsistency you observed I have also found to be more prevailing when considering the larger sized vitolas. It led me to adopt an 'in-house rule' that I normally won't open a box of these unless they have about 3 years age on them. Granted - it's not a hard and fast rule and it is quite fun to smoke a fresh made cigar every once in a while - but on the whole - a few years of age has served me well with Churchill and DC sized cigars.

This is making more and more sense to me these days, empirically speaking. I think I'm going to adopt your policy, Roman.

Wilkey

[Colt45]

To be honest KG, I was surprised you liked the first one as much as you did.

[shrink]

Ken, those early '07s are the best since '01,IMO. I enjoyed the one I sampled, but I agree with Roman: they're down for a few years.

[Ken Gargett]

To be honest KG, I was surprised you liked the first one as much as you did.

probably smoked a dozen or so from he cab and certainly had a couple that i have loved. was trying to let them sit but it can be difficult. will make more of an effort. they remind a touch of some of hamlet's cigars in that i find the occasional one too young and the occasional absolute gem. they also need to be given more time.

i'm too old to learn patience!

[Colt45]

probably smoked a dozen or so from he cab and certainly had a couple that i have loved.

Once again, your take on these has me looking forward to this year's group tasting.

[Ken Gargett]

Once again, your take on these has me looking forward to this year's group tasting.

different cab but what you are reminding me is that there is a link between the lesser ones in my box and the ones we previously tried. it will be interesting to see if we jag any of the goodies in the other cab.

it is also making me wonder how much value is in such tastings (other than some of us getting to enjoy a cigar and some fun) if there is such variation in the cabs.

[bassman]

Ken, those early '07s are the best since '01,IMO. I enjoyed the one I sampled, but I agree with Roman: they're down for a few years.

I agree 100% My FEB 07 cab is much better than any year I've smoked since 01.

[Colt45]

it is also making me wonder how much value is in such tastings (other than some of us getting to enjoy a cigar and some fun) if there is such variation in the cabs.

KG, if you go back and read last year's group reviews, you'll see that most felt these were fairly bland, though I do believe there were

a couple of positive reviews.

Also, I feel this five year process is of great value. Even if there is some intra box inconsistency now, for me it will be very interesting to

see if over time, all things converge and we end up agreeing in the main.

Speaking for myself, I feel privileged to have been included in the proceedings, and the fact that RA has set aside one hundred cigars and

has to ship them - one at a time - around the world is not lost on me.

[anacostiakat]

This inconsistency you observed I have also found to be more prevailing when considering the larger sized vitolas. It led me to adopt an 'in-house rule' that I normally won't open a box of these unless they have about 3 years age on them. Granted - it's not a hard and fast rule and it is quite fun to smoke a fresh made cigar every once in a while - but on the whole - a few years of age has served me well with Churchill and DC sized cigars.

I agree with this as a rule. I like to try one, then wait the three and then try another.

Ken, just buy another cab!

[Jay Hemingway]

still don't agree with the SLR lineup...will re-visit someday. lol

[El Presidente]

Ken, thanks again for the hospitality the other night.

I enjoyed the SLR DC. Partly because I had sold them to you and I was getting one back

It was a solid cigar. Good without being great. Lacking in some complexity and at the time I thought it was time that they took a couple of years nap. The SLR DC we had showed all the potential one wants to see. Just couldn't rise to the occassion that day.

I tend to reconcile it in my mind this way. You have a great young 16 year old sportsman who shows all the potential in the world. He/she can rise to an occassion but he/she will also falter. In his/her 20's it is a different kettle of fish.