I've been and out of the cigar hobby for years. I always exist due to storage complications leading to loss of flavor in my cigars.
I've used humidors with heartfelts (65 and 70), sponges, gel beads, and rubber sealed tupperware. I always end up throwing out most of my orders after several months because they start to taste like nothing.
I don't smoke a lot, typically 1 cigar a week in the winter, and 2-3 in the summer, so I'm not burning out my tongue.
Recently I bought my first home, and decided I wanted to give it one final go. On recommendation, I purchased a Cigar Oasis. I also bought 1 year Boveda bag to use as a control.
Each storage location has a digital hygrometer, and each hygro has been "vetted" for accuracy with a Boveda calibration kit (+/- 1-2 degrees).
I ordered my favorite and familiar blends from CigarBid (Joya 1970, CAO Colombia, CAO Flathead, and Undercrown). They tasted great off the truck, but sure enough, a month later and nothing. Just, like tobacco or something. It's as if all the flavor from the oils are gone. They still smell good, burn good, and feel spongy (not dry). My box and bag are both around 68 degrees. I've swapped the hygros back and forth and the CigarOasis also has a reading. I don't believe they could have "dried out".
A friend says it's because I am purchasing cheap cigars, and I'm buying packs instead of boxes. I can't justify buying more expensive cigars, since I have yet to have an experience in which they do not go "stale". Furthremore, I can't see how a cheap $5 cigar would lose flavor faster than a $10 cigar. If the conditions of the box are good, then that should not matter. Maybe I'm wrong.
Any ideas?
I've used humidors with heartfelts (65 and 70), sponges, gel beads, and rubber sealed tupperware. I always end up throwing out most of my orders after several months because they start to taste like nothing.
I don't smoke a lot, typically 1 cigar a week in the winter, and 2-3 in the summer, so I'm not burning out my tongue.
Recently I bought my first home, and decided I wanted to give it one final go. On recommendation, I purchased a Cigar Oasis. I also bought 1 year Boveda bag to use as a control.
Each storage location has a digital hygrometer, and each hygro has been "vetted" for accuracy with a Boveda calibration kit (+/- 1-2 degrees).
I ordered my favorite and familiar blends from CigarBid (Joya 1970, CAO Colombia, CAO Flathead, and Undercrown). They tasted great off the truck, but sure enough, a month later and nothing. Just, like tobacco or something. It's as if all the flavor from the oils are gone. They still smell good, burn good, and feel spongy (not dry). My box and bag are both around 68 degrees. I've swapped the hygros back and forth and the CigarOasis also has a reading. I don't believe they could have "dried out".
A friend says it's because I am purchasing cheap cigars, and I'm buying packs instead of boxes. I can't justify buying more expensive cigars, since I have yet to have an experience in which they do not go "stale". Furthremore, I can't see how a cheap $5 cigar would lose flavor faster than a $10 cigar. If the conditions of the box are good, then that should not matter. Maybe I'm wrong.
Any ideas?