Tough question ... I have no evidence to bring to the table that shows one cigar is better out of the box than any other. I don't even know why some cigars that are in transit for up to 13 days taste green, and others do not. Some sit in my cabinet for weeks, not to improve for months, others need only a little refresher, and they are good to go, and yet others, as I said, are good right off the truck.
Since authenticity is not at issue, I wonder what is?
I don't think it's the vendor's storage facility, as I've gotten multiple boxes from the same supplier, only to have say one of the 3 boxes green.
I don't think it's the transit time, for reasons stated in the previous example.
So what is it?
I even had one box from Havana that needed a month or two in the cabinet ... went from a very bitter tasting D- to an outstanding A+ in that time frame.
I cannot say how impressesd I am with the out of the box goodness of MC2 just muled in from Cuba. FWIW the box code is Apr 04 if I remember correctly.
The accepted wisdom is that all cigars improve with some age. This is nice in that if they don't do it for me straight away. I can taste them later and generally notice improvement in smoothness and draw. I am a newbie in this so I cannot say much more.
QM Quality does not occur by chance. It is the result of intelligent activities.
[This message was edited by Quebecmike on September 23, 2004 at 01:43 PM.]
Posts: 8033 | Location: Cigar land | Registered: March 10, 2003
From what I hear, not from experience, is that the PSD4 is one that is best fresh. I hear reports of people saying that after about six months of age, they go into their sicks period. It can take up to five years for them to recover. But then again, I have heard only a few people say they have never experienced the sick age. Again, this is all hear-say.
Eddie
"If a body catch a body coming through the rye" - Holden Caufield
Posts: 877 | Location: San Francisco, CA USA | Registered: October 15, 2003
I tried a Bolivar Royal Coronas from a freshly opened box a few months back when I was in Bahrain. That cigar was fantastic! I bought a half dozen more and all were great. I'd of picked up a box or two but I'm just a poor sailor.
It's not a science and it really depends. You can have 2 boxes side by side...both the same brand, from the same factory, with the same date code, and you could get different results. One box might be better than the other.
The goal of the Cuban cigar industry is CONSISTENCY. However, each cigar is different from the other. While the lot of tobacco may be the same, one leaf here, another leaf there, a different technique here, a twist there, can mean night and day in the final product.
That being said, you gotta do an empirical study. That's the only way to know. Smoke one from whatever box...if it's good, then you know it's good then! If not, wait 6, 8, 12 months, try it then...if it's good, great! If it's not ready, wait another 6 months.
Personally, I like fresh cigars, their power and spice...sometimes flavors are a little off...big deal...try another. But there are no steadfast hard rules when it comes to this stuff and storage, preservation etc.
___________________ Santa Cabilla...patron saint of Quericæstan. VIVE COULTER! VIVE CPD!
Posts: 10308 | Location: Avenida de las Nalgas, Quericæstan | Registered: May 02, 2002
I think ryj is right, in two ways: I don't think we really know how to measure the effect of transit and the dealer's humidity, so there is a certain amount of trial and error here. But, he is also right in saying that the more powerful, spicey cigars seem to be terrific when "fresh;" I've always found this with PSD4, CoRo, and Boli RC.
Dave
Posts: 60 | Location: Grove City, PA, USA | Registered: September 09, 2003
...for the novice - all of 'em! For the veteran - none of them! I'd say, as others seem to have eluded to, that it could depend entirely on the age of the cigars upon arrival.
Posts: 378 | Location: Norfolk, VA | Registered: August 19, 2003
The list that DOC has is good, but I find that EVERY box I get that travelled a long way whether they are fresh or 5 years old they definately need at least 2 months in the humi to restabilize. Some people say a week or two, I think months.
-- The rich get richer and the poor get the picture.
Posts: 61 | Location: Canada | Registered: November 03, 2003
Based on what RyJ calls empirical data, I would say that out of all the boxes I have gotten my hands on in the last 6 months, the Montecristo #2 is the finest cigar out of the box that I have had in a long time. But of course, NO ONE can document the complex series of happenstances that led to that. But my early 04 boxes are awesome. The only other cigar that I have really liked right out of the box is, for another vote, the Trinidad Fundadore. Then again, I do like the Hoyo DC as a young cigar. BUT, this is also based on a fundamental philosophy of mine that NO cigar is worth lighting until one month after I get my hands on the box. I am just not willing to waste the money, no matter what I might miss.
KinnickKinnick
Posts: 657 | Location: New Orleans, LA | Registered: July 01, 2002
Kendry Morales was sort of the Ichiro of the National Team...he was very good out of the box and ran out many of what would have been a routine out. Look for him coming to a MLB team near YOU! Defected a short time ago.
___________________ Santa Cabilla...patron saint of Quericæstan. VIVE COULTER! VIVE CPD!
Posts: 10308 | Location: Avenida de las Nalgas, Quericæstan | Registered: May 02, 2002
My Opinion: over the past year I've recieved 4 boxes (lost one) Monte #2 ENE 04 recieved in April needed a few months. Vegas Robaina Famosos FEB 03 recieved in June good right out of the box. Punch Punch MAR 03 recieved in June waited 2 months before I tried the first one...excellent RyJ Churchills w/tubes MAY 04 recieved recently, looked so good couldn't wait. By far the best smoke I own right now.
Now just wondering how the HdM DC's would have been
""GO BUCKEYES!"
Posts: 601 | Location: My House | Registered: August 29, 2002
