What 04 Regular Production stock do you own?

[aavkk]

Everyone is familar with the EL's from 04 but what regular production do you own from 5 years ago? I realize I dont own a single regular production box. Love 02, 03, and have a few 05 boxes but what about 04?

[thechenman]

Don't have any '04...actually I don't have anything prior to '07. Then again I am fairly new to Cuban cigars...

[ksblazer]

This is what I have left from 04. I really liked the #2's when young, but now the VR Familiars are one of my favorite smokes.

Upmann #2's

Monte #2's

VR Familiar

[bunburyist]

I've got literally a handful of RyJ Churchill's from 04, plus a few from 05 because that was my smoke of choice a couple years back. Don't think I have owt else though.

My knowledge is too limited too know whether that was a bumper year or not - presume there's a few hoarders on here though who have a box or two..

[Tampa1257]

In 2004, I was concentrating on buying aged stock, mostly 1997 and earlier. I checked and I don't have a single box from 04 in the humidor.

I did smoke through a Cab of PLPC's after 3 years as they were getting very tasty! Too bad they are long gone!

[PigFish]

I am going from memory here so I am not claiming 100% accuracy. I recall several boxes KMM '04 that I enjoyed. I know that I still have KMM 04 JL #2's that are some of the best I have had. I could be wrong on this but I recall the PLPC being reintroduced during this time and having boxes with that code as well. I would have to scour my inventory to look for more cigars but the above are some that I recall. -Piggy

[Mr Peales]

R&J Exhibition #4

R&J Hermoso #2

Upmann Mag 46

VR Unicos

Despite product quality as of late,

the Ex#4s are true to their earlier

flavor profile. Woody, a variety of

sweet/fruit flavors, strength and

spice building from the start of the

2nd third to the finish.

Not crazy about any of the others.

[anacostiakat]

Cab of Partagas Lusi's

Cohiba Esplendidos

Everything else has been burnt.

[aavkk]

The reason I ask is twofold:

1. What are your impressions on this vintage in general compared to 02, 03 and 05?

2. I just dont recall seeing much in the way of 04 stock for sale at any vendors, was this a low production year or just my false impression?

[anacostiakat]

The reason I ask is twofold:

1. What are your impressions on this vintage in general compared to 02, 03 and 05?

2. I just dont recall seeing much in the way of 04 stock for sale at any vendors, was this a low production year or just my false impression?

For me, '04 and '02 were close from my recollection. '05 much better than '04.

[Loki]

I just checked and still have partial boxes of:

Upmann #2

Upmann connie #1

BBF

IMO 04 cigars were good but I don't remember any real stand outs.

[Jimmy2]

04 and 05 were boring years

[matt14]

2 50 cabs RASS ( 1 half gone already)

Boli Bonitas

HU Mag 46

HU Connie 1

2 complete boxes Hermoso 2

1/2 box Sublime (smoked these way to early, kick myself everytime i see the box!!)

Thats about it not much at all. may be another couple boxes in there somewhere but from memory thats it, if nobody is sitting on them , where are they all??

[aavkk]

if nobody is sitting on them , where are they all??

exactly what I'm wondering Matt? I'm not about to bust out an almanac but was the 01-02 crop a very low yield or is someone sitting on all of the stock?

[Ken Gargett]

i think i have a few but have to check. certainly almost though a box of terrific 04 Bolivar gigantes.

[matt14]

exactly what I'm wondering Matt? I'm not about to bust out an almanac but was the 01-02 crop a very low yield or is someone sitting on all of the stock?

Almost forgot 6 boxes of RA 8-0-8`s . They had a haul of them at Dubai DF picked up mainly `02`s first time through then cleared them out of the best boxes of 02,04`s the las time through. They are pretty much in my rotation now!! fantastic sticks.

So where are the rest of the `04`s lurking? Some sinsiter plot that a heap of `04 aged stock is going to flood the market? what i have got are good, RA 8-9-8`s of of the charts, RASS are a solid stick, Hermoso2 one of my faves, and the Sublimes need say no more. Mag 46 are all but gone.

Odd seem to see `01`s popping up all over but not `04`s

[neal875]

04 and 05 were boring years

Well, every year has winners and losers. Some years seem to have more losers, however, and that would be 2004 (from my vantage point).

The 2004 winners in my posession:

Cohiba Robustos, Siglo VI. Both have good flavor, good to very good construction and good consistency. Recent vintages are better, though. And cheaper.

Bolivar Immensa: Not as good as the '03s or 05s in terms of flavor profile but well rolled and still tasty.

The losers:

Cab of 50 Punch Double Corona: Miserable in all regards. Tightly rolled and that's the good part because when they do draw, the flavor is really off. One dimensional and lacking any of the brand's namesake.

Partagas Shorts in cab. Same comments as above. Flavor is missing by a country mile and construction is poor.

Juan Lopez #1. Poor construction and flavor. Unlike other years I have. Usually one of my favorites, but not these.

Comments from others here about all the '01s popping up are so true. So, too, are the 99s and 2000s. There are some good ones in there but we all know the problems from those years, as well. But, I digress from the original theme of this post.

[aavkk]

Almost forgot 6 boxes of RA 8-0-8`s .

The 04 RA 898's I believe were actually made in 02 and only boxed and sold in 04.

As for the comments about winners and losers in every year that is undoubtedly true. Im just wondering and maybe Rob can shed some light on the total cigars exported from Cuba during 02-05, I for one would be very curious.

[Jimmy2]

04 RA 898 were from 02 and I must say they are tasty sticks..Their were some stand outs in 04/05 but not many overall boring years.

[joeypots]

I was getting going with Havanas in '04.

Siglo VI, worth the wait

PLPC, That's a nice little cigar.

Mag 46. A terrible box that has come around some. This may be the box that proves to me that a bummer of a stick can be improved with age, but I have to defer to those with more experience who say a bad cigar is a bad cigar and no amount of age will make it good.

[bassman]

IMHO, 04 was the worst quality year from 2001 to date. The cigars in general were bland & homogenious. Bolivar were especially mediocre. I have most of a box of Esplendidos which are surprisingly good (Siglo IVs were not) and a box of the "04" RA898s. That's it.

On the other hand, I'm loving the 02s.

Edited due to lack of proofreading. Should now be clear. D'oh!

[neal875]

IMHO, 02 was the worst quality year from 2001 to date. The cigars in general were bland & homogenious. Bolivar were especially mediocre. I have most of a box of Esplendidos which are surprisingly good (Siglo IVs were not) and a box of the "04" RA898s. That's it.

On the other hand, I'm loving the 02s.

As said earlier: every year has winners and losers. I have a box of 2002 Bolivar Immensas that are OUTSTANDING. Far better than my '03 and '04 boxes of same in all regards. I wish I had more of them.

[bassman]

I have edited my previous post. I MEANT to say the IMHO, 04 is the worst post 2001 year. Always proofread before clicking. D'oh!

[bassman]

I have edited my previous post. I MEANT to say the IMHO, 04 is the worst post 2001 year. Always proofread before clicking. D'oh!

[bassman]

I have edited my previous post. I MEANT to say the IMHO, 04 is the worst post 2001 year. Always proofread before clicking. D'oh!