Just wondering if there is a particular year you search for in aged cubans. Are there specific years you stay away from?
Specific year?
- Thread starter DocLogic77
- Start date
CVM is that for draw reasons?
CV will have to weigh in, but I suspect the answer is an emphatic yes, and I would agree. Although some of the smokes in that size range and year span are superb in terms of flavor, I have had a large number, even up into '02, that suffered from plugging. One of the reasons I prefer 46 and above is that I rarely, if ever, get a cigar that is plugged.FPDoc77 said:
I'm not picky. I'll take anything <= 1998 :smokingbo
Seriously though, I've read (and personally experienced) mixed reports of boxes from 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. This concerns both construction (plugged issues - even on larger ring guages) as well as the cigars being somewhat milder + less complex. The years 2003 + 2004 seem to be much better on both counts.
This is one of the reasons I still purchase N/Cs. Aside from the fact that I enjoy the taste ... I've never had a plugged Avo, Fuente or Padron.
Seriously though, I've read (and personally experienced) mixed reports of boxes from 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. This concerns both construction (plugged issues - even on larger ring guages) as well as the cigars being somewhat milder + less complex. The years 2003 + 2004 seem to be much better on both counts.
This is one of the reasons I still purchase N/Cs. Aside from the fact that I enjoy the taste ... I've never had a plugged Avo, Fuente or Padron.
I have a box of VR clasicos from 00 and a box of JL #1 from 01. I have never experienced a plug issue with either. I would love to grab a box of anything from 1998. I have heard great things about that year in general. The vendor I use doesn't have a box before 00 so I guess Im out of luck.
Cliff verbalizes many of the fears and complaints that I have read about. I think I have been very lucky. With that said what year and or type of cigar do you look for?caudio51 said:
caudio51
BoM Nov '05; Mar '06
I look to try anything I haven't had and always get the good ones that I have had. I use a few review sites to see what the general consensus is (but only as a slight guide). The best way is to try as much as you can and find out what you like.FPDoc77 said:
The good thing about cigars is that I can hate one and you can love it (and vice versa).
Caudio thats terrific advice. I have a particular review site that I use. With that said, I use it as merely a stepping stone. If any has a site they trust were they can get pre 00 I would be greatful for a pm.
I'm no expert but a couple of opinions from a frequent smoker.Jwrussell said:
The bad thing about cigars is that you can hate and love ones from the same box. :cryloud:
Humidity has a huge impact on how cigars taste. Smoking a great cigar that is over humdified can make it taste like crap. I dry most Cubans out to 60% in a separate humi with 60% beads before I smoke em. Where and how you smoke them can also have a huge impact. Some of my favorite smoking experiences I could not duplicate again with cigars from the same box. That is until I figured out the commonality was smoking the cigar slower. Most people smoke Cubans way way too fast.
Generally older is going to be more interesting. 99-01 is hit or miss. More hit in my experience regarding plugged cigars.. have had very few. Personally I think the 03 and forward cigars have more of the old oomph in many brands.
98?
It just happens to the oldest year that some vendors have any kind of stock in. If they had 97's we'd be talking about "that year". Blends changed in most cigars after 94/95 (wrappers). Generally milder than before.Have had some great 05 cigars. In particular sep-oct Mag 46's. The new equipment at the regional factories seems to have smoothed out the inconsistencies and eliminated some of the old problems.
avid toker
Regulator
Also keep in mind that '00 was the year they introduced the Habanos 2000 wrapper....practically fireproof with little flavor.
Avid, I'll tell you the best cigar I have ever smoked was an 00.
tubaman
3 Time BoM
I agree with those that have said try whatever you can. That way you educate yourself as much as possible. The 00 - 02's and some 99's are very hit or miss, even within the same box in some cases. Of course, the older the cigar is, the harder and more expensive it is generally, so we have more experience with younger cigars. I have alot of sticks from 98 as they are still readily available, and I have had great experience with them, but that could just be me thinking, "these are pretty old, so they must be good" Who knows, but I know what I like, and I liked 'em!!