Hey Folks,
Just picked up a box of these. Call me crazy but the first one I have smoked was one of the nicest cubans I have smoked in a while. The dark oily wrapper, fantastic draw and ash combined with a mixture of earthy flavours for the first third then nutty and spicy on the finish.
Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience with this vitola?

My girlfriend just ordered some of these, and I'm looking forward to trying for the first time. But in reading up on them seems some big disagreement on draw quality. Your's all good?

Halfway through a box bought in 2005 and never a draw problem. Rich chocolaty smoke. Like the RyJ robusto ELs on steroids.

They are being kept in the mid-60% humidity range. Makes all the difference.

These are GREAT cigars that seem to fall off the radar. I really like them...and they are up there with the SD2.

I've only smoked 2 so far, the draw was great. The rest of them feel good as well.

Carld, I think your going to enjoy them when they arrive.

What's all this talk about 'draw' quality? There was a point in time from about 1997 though about 2000 when one could expect that 5 - 7, or more, cigars in a box of 25 would suffer draw problems because of overfilling. But since that time, if someone is experiencing widespread draw problems, then quite simply, you need to check your source. That is a very rare exception for authentic Cuban cigars from before 1997, and after 2000.

The problem years of 1997 - 2000 were marked by outrageous production demands that put many new and inexperienced rollers on the line, and advanced lesser experienced rollers who were suddenly assigned more difficult cigars to roll. In addition, in order to satisfy the requirements with the same crop yields, these rollers were using tobacco that might otherwise have been rejected for whatever reason. Yes, there WERE excellent cigars from that period of time, but boxes were characterized by many plugged cigars (that was really a function of over-filling).

After 2000, though, the industry got its act together. So, if we are talking about widespread draw problems, first, question your source, because THAT is where these problems are going to start. If the source checks out, then consider storage conditions. But it's not the authentic Cuban cigar that is the problem.

I agree with the consensus, these are very good, and can still be had at a reasonable price.

yes, I agree with everyone. There are the sleepers in the EL line up. I have 4 boxes put away, fantastic cigars, for some reason these were ignored and are still available everywhere.

Sitting on 2 boxes from JUL 04, GEP factory code. Bought these after I tried a couple, and the 6 or 7 I've smoked so far exhibit excellent quality and draw. However, after nearly 3 years, I prefer the SD1's, Mag 50 EL, and the Sublimes.

Mine were "DTF OCT 04".
Has anyone ever figured out these factory codes 100%??
I've seen many references, but how accurate are they?

My #2 EL of all of them besides the RYJ Robusto. Out of 3 boxes smoked I have had 1 plugged beyond smokeable. Happened at the golf course and it was the 1st cigar I ever through out..( In the pond it went)


I say STRONG buy on them

Worst EL so far is The H. Upmann Mag 50

quote:

Originally posted by minalpharetta:
I agree with the consensus, these are very good, and can still be had at a reasonable price.

I agree.

quote:

Originally posted by cashmaqn:


Worst EL so far is The H. Upmann Mag 50

Monte EL C