Cuban cigars: Year of Production

[Spartan18]

Guys,

I've always been wondering whether I should be looking after a particular year when buying a box of cubans. Obviously the older the date of production the more aged the cigars will be...but appart from that are there any particular years where quality has been very good or the opposite?

Does it really matter or am I getting into too much detail for no benefit? Your advice would be much appreciated.

[peanutpete]

from the newer years 2008 seem to be smoking really well, as to the older years some of the more experienced guys would be more help

[Simon Bolivar]

The yrs of highest production, also sure poor quality of leaf used & more plugged smokes. 98-01 are normally though of as 'dodgey' yrs but if you want to buy aged smokes these are the years you'll find. Personally I have never really had a problem with these yrs but it might put you off buying a whole box of say Boli Corona Extras, which had a poor rep during this time. I had a duff single just earlier this month from '98 but it was my first problem with this vitola. Perhpas I have just been lucky with the few other examples I have had. I have heard of as many as half a box being plugged & unsmokable.

[Bigboned]

Half a box being plugged would piss me off no end!

[Spartan18]

I appreciate the response Gents.

Some of my cigar boxes are from 2008 and the cigars are indeed smoking beauifully. I remember i read somewhere that from 2009 onwards the cubans have improved their quality control especially on the cohiba factory, but I'm not sure how accurate this is.