I have about 20 or so Enchantments from around 2001 sitting in one of the humidors, so I decided to take one out and give it a try. I liked them quite a bit B. H. (before Habanos) but I was curious to see how these would age.

A lot of "connoisseurs" claim that aging NCs is a waste. I disagree. Aging mild NCs is a waste, but some of the more powerful blends do indeed benefit. The Enchantment was pretty full-bodied when young and has come along pretty nicely.

The first third was nothing special, but the last two thirds were very nice. A rich creamy character with a bit of spice. It also burned far more evenly than when these were fresh. Tons of smoke. I love the shape -- I wish there was a similar shape/sized habano readily available.

Anyway, I look forward to firing these up every once in a while. I also have a bunch of other VSG sizes that are about the same age (I used to buy the Holt's VSG sampler quite a bit). If you have some VSGs, I recommend giving them some time in the humidor; they improve 7-10 points after four or five years, in my opinion.

Nice review.

I smoke VSG's all the time, too bad mine never age. LOL

quote:

Originally posted by Coriolanus:
I have about 20 or so Enchantments from around 2001 sitting in one of the humidors, so I decided to take one out and give it a try. I liked them quite a bit B. H. (before Habanos) but I was curious to see how these would age.

A lot of "connoisseurs" claim that aging NCs is a waste. I disagree.

I think the common reasoning is that a lot of NCs have tobacco that is aged longer, on average, than CCs. I think it's quite a weak "argument" against aging NCs.

Great review. Good thinking on aging them.

quote:

I think the common reasoning is that a lot of NCs have tobacco that is aged longer, on average, than CCs. I think it's quite a weak "argument" against aging NCs.

It really depends on the cigar. I have some La Flor Dominicana Ls from 2003 that have improved immensely. They are so raw when fresh that that are close to unsmokeable unless you are a bit sadomasochistic (fresh chisels were VERY hard to smoke). But given time, they really turn into nice (albeit one-dimensional) smokes.

Bizarre that not a single LFD made the Top 25. I hope Litto Gomez kicks some dirt on any cA staff he may see in the near future.

I have a full box of VSG Beli #1 from Oct 2005. I'm trying to let them sit until Oct of this year before trying one. So far, so good.

quote:

Originally posted by Coriolanus:
Bizarre that not a single LFD made the Top 25. I hope Litto Gomez kicks some dirt on any cA staff he may see in the near future.

One of his cigars did make #2 if I'm not mistaken. But, it wasn't a LFD.

quote:

Originally posted by Jon Paul:

quote:

Originally posted by Coriolanus:
Bizarre that not a single LFD made the Top 25. I hope Litto Gomez kicks some dirt on any cA staff he may see in the near future.

One of his cigars did make #2 if I'm not mistaken. But, it wasn't a LFD.

Yes, you are right. The Coronado DC is #2. My mistake.