What A Year+ can do (Multiple Reviews)

[defetis]

So I have had this idea since about last year at this time. I bought a ton of average priced 5 packs. Smoke one cigar then, made a few notes and I have tucked away the rest until now. I wan't to smoke them again, make notes. Revist my old notes and post it all for everyone to see. I know 1 year to some is more like resting but flavors in brands such as padron can dissipate(64, 26) and definitely improve (x,000 serie) with just a year. I invite anyone else who has some year old+ sticks to chime in or add your short reviews here if you'd like



http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/defetis/IMG_20150303_122722_600_zps9otc7gxk.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/defetis/media/IMG_20150303_122722_600_zps9otc7gxk.jpg.html)

Reviews to come

[Emperor Zurg]

And as a bonus, this site will probably STILL BE HERE a year later...

[AlanS]

And as a bonus, this site will probably STILL BE HERE a year later...

Not just be but be THRIVING! Like rested cigars.

[Jordan23]

Cool idea, Joel.

It will help others see how sticks change (or not) with just a little downtime.

[defetis]

So I chose the Pinolera first for two reasons. The first one I smoked I royally hated. It had a funny harshness to it that really put me off. I usually don't smoke this size but I scored the 5er for $13.00 so it was worth a shot

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/defetis/IMG_20150303_123920_995_zpswljelikl.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/defetis/media/IMG_20150303_123920_995_zpswljelikl.jpg.html)
Construction on these is good. Feels like a very even pack. Can see the seems in a few places. Def. a barnyard smell to it

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/defetis/IMG_20150303_130104_094_zpsp7hob1bl.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/defetis/media/IMG_20150303_130104_094_zpsp7hob1bl.jpg.html)
Getting through the first third, Picking up on a nice pepper/salt sweetness with a little bit of woodyness on the end. So far pleasant medium smoke

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/defetis/IMG_20150303_131525_583_zpsyhodwe1e.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/defetis/media/IMG_20150303_131525_583_zpsyhodwe1e.jpg.html)
Half way point the cigar has stayed pretty consistant. Still flavors mentioned above. Every now and then I get a little bit of a smokyness that I really dig.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/defetis/IMG_20150303_132202_360_zpshrgyojoy.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/defetis/media/IMG_20150303_132202_360_zpshrgyojoy.jpg.html)

After an hour and 20 mins Im officially bored. The cigar has done its job performance wise. The burn has been perfect, no touch ups or relights. The smoke output on a scale of 1-10 is a 4. Not so great there. This cigar just isn't for me. I need atleast one somewhat transition to keep me interested unless Im drunk. I think it would be a great cigar to give someone newer to the hobby as the flavors are very there and easy to pick up on.

[defetis]

btw I picked these up 2/2/14

[Billb1960]

Nice review. I'm right there with you on the Pinolero. Probably the one AJF cigar I just don't get. I've tried 2 and they just don't work for me. It feels like they want to be good but just never quite develop into anything that makes me want to keep smoking it. I guess some folks really dig them but I'm not one of them.

[piperdown]

Joel, awesome thread and a very good idea!

I'd bump you but gotta spread the love around first…lol :stogie:

[jhedrick83]

Joel, awesome thread and a very good idea!

I'd bump you but gotta spread the love around first…lol :stogie:

Eric, I got your back. Great idea Joel!

[Tombstone]

I am looking forward to hearing about the diesel unlimited maduro. I found it to be lack luster fresh but I have one more that will be going on a year next month.

[defetis]

Alright, Today I revisited the Sol Cubana Artisan. I wrote in quick notes a year ago when I had this that I liked the constant flavor transitions back and fourth as it burned the leafs. But I initially didn't like the construction and burn. Had 8 touch ups and part of the barber style unraveled on me half way through last time.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/defetis/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150304_061453_607_zps9c6ivhco.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/defetis/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150304_061453_607_zps9c6ivhco.jpg.html)

Sorry for the blurry pics, hard to get phone to focus while bouncing excessively. The construction feels solid. The pack feels semi tight but not overly done. I made sure to inspect the cigar for any places where the wrapper looks loose so I could make sure to watch it closer. Looks good

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/defetis/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150304_063926_110_zpsklxs5jee.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/defetis/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150304_063926_110_zpsklxs5jee.jpg.html)

Into the first third this cigar starts very nicely. Im getting primarily a tobacco flavor with hints of cocoa, white pepper and a woodyness.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/defetis/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150304_075329_934_zpsvejhacir.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/defetis/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150304_075329_934_zpsvejhacir.jpg.html)

A little over half way through I have finally pin pointed what flavors come from where. The natural wrapper has all the woodsy tobacco flavor and white salt flavors im getting and the maduro parts really hit you with a good cocoa experience. That was the last pic I took as I got frustrated trying to not take blurry pics.

The cigar ended pretty consistently. Never had any surprises in construction or re lights this time. I got a ten pack of these last January for $23. At $2.30 these are a great morning smoke at least. Aging/resting them any longer won't benefit any of the flavors though.

[Redneck_toy]

I really like the idea of this thread. I haven't been smoking but for a few months so I'm in the beginning stages of doing this exact thing with some Gran Habanos Vintage 2002

[defetis]

Alright, today I picked the Graycliff 1666. I was going to grab the Diesel but wasn't sure I had enough time to give it a fair smoke. The first time I smoked this I really liked the flavors but about 1/4 of the way in it went total dirt in the mouth nasty bomb on me. Last time I smoked this was 11/30/13 so this one has a little longer on it.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/defetis/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150306_143646_367_zpsq2l5gp6c.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/defetis/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150306_143646_367_zpsq2l5gp6c.jpg.html)

The construction feels good. You can really tell it is a lightly packed cigar, really doesn't weigh very much at all. Light it up no issues starts spitting a ton of smoke right away

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/defetis/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150306_145721_478_zpsg6bkgxz1.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/defetis/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150306_145721_478_zpsg6bkgxz1.jpg.html)

1/3 of the way in. I cant decide if the cigar is burning really fast or if I'm puffing more to deal with the stress of the gf's driving. This smoke has a really great sweetness to it. Reminds me of some kind of candy but really can't pinpoint it. All I know is at this point I'm glad I have 3 more.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/defetis/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150306_151117_710_zps9cauqigq.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/defetis/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150306_151117_710_zps9cauqigq.jpg.html)

Half way through in under 40 minutes. Very fast burn time. The cigar is still pumping the nice sweetness to compliment tobacco undertones. I really can't think of any other Graycliffs I ever felt like were good. So this one has me in a shock.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/defetis/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150306_152128_450_zpsrqk8gmke.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/defetis/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150306_152128_450_zpsrqk8gmke.jpg.html)

At the hour point I have a little less then a third left as you can see^ The problem showed its ugly head in the last third. Like the first time the awesome flavors completely died off. Immediately started tasting like a mouthfull of dirt. With only another 5 mins. to go I decided to throw it out.

Wrapping things up, so far, this Graycliff has been the best of the 5 so far for putting a solid year rest on it. Really enjoyed it until the last third. No clue what I paid for this 5er but would recommend anyone to set these down if you can score them for cheap

[defetis]

So got some bad news on the Curivari. Wen't to smoke it this weekend. I knew it had a minor bit of foot damage but did not think much of it. But when I went to cut and smoke the half the wrapper unraveled to the point of not smoke-able. Sadly, I must have traded away the other 3 from the 5er because I cannot find them.

[defetis]

This morning I lit up the D.7 maduro gordo. I will preface this review with I do not smoke this size cigar hardly ever. 7 in. is too long to keep me paying attention. So i figured a 3 hour drive would force me to be interested.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/defetis/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150311_060334_034_zpskneg5po8.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/defetis/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150311_060334_034_zpskneg5po8.jpg.html)

Before I lit the cigar I noticed how light it was for such a big cigar. This usually means light packing so I wondered how long it would burn and if it would lead to any burns issues. The first time I smoked this cigar I really like the flavors but had to correct the burn more than I would of preferred. Right away the cigar starts smoking a lot and I got a great sweetness to compliment a dark expressoy nut flavor.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/defetis/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150311_064505_880_zps5llerhza.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/defetis/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150311_064505_880_zps5llerhza.jpg.html)

1/3 of the way in I am enjoying the cigar. A lot of the flavors I'm getting remind me of a Liga 9. Stand out flavors and a lot of smoke. Even the wrapper is leaving hints of tobacco oils on my finger tips.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/defetis/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150311_082805_418_zpszwxr6zdj.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/defetis/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150311_082805_418_zpszwxr6zdj.jpg.html)

Nothing really changes from the 1/3 mark to the last third. Everything stays like its been until the burn issues strike. At the final third mark the cigar has been going a little over two hours. The second I re light it to correct the burn all the flavors as anticipated change to a hot earthy flavor. So for me, I was ready to put it down.

I really feel like this cigar aged well. I don't remember it reminding me of a liga 9 the first time I had it so I would say resting had something to do with that.
Tombstone you said you wanted to see what I thought

I will probably seek out a few robustos and maybe a box to sit on for awhile.

[Tombstone]

Thanks for taking the time to review it. I like what you had to say about it. Fresh I was underwhelmed with it but aged sounds great.

[defetis]

Thanks for taking the time to review it. I like what you had to say about it. Fresh I was underwhelmed with it but aged sounds great.

Pm me your addy if this size is your cup o tea

[izkeh]

So I chose the Pinolera first for two reasons. The first one I smoked I royally hated. It had a funny harshness to it that really put me off. I usually don't smoke this size but I scored the 5er for $13.00 so it was worth a shot

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/defetis/IMG_20150303_123920_995_zpswljelikl.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/defetis/media/IMG_20150303_123920_995_zpswljelikl.jpg.html)
Construction on these is good. Feels like a very even pack. Can see the seems in a few places. Def. a barnyard smell to it

Why didn't you get the big one? :)

Good review.

[Billb1960]

So got some bad news on the Curivari. Wen't to smoke it this weekend. I knew it had a minor bit of foot damage but did not think much of it. But when I went to cut and smoke the half the wrapper unraveled to the point of not smoke-able. Sadly, I must have traded away the other 3 from the 5er because I cannot find them.

Oh that's really unfortunate. Those are truly excellent cigars, I like them better than the Buenaventura.

[defetis]

Oh that's really unfortunate. Those are truly excellent cigars, I like them better than the Buenaventura.

Ya i gotta get more into those lines from what I have heard