Esplendidos question

[CigarsAndWHisky]

Hello all,

I was given some esplendidos by a a friend, and as I know these are heavily counterfeited I was hoping someone could give me some feedback on them. I realise without pictures this wont be particularly useful, and ill try to get my camera going over the next few days but if I give some basic info perhaps someone might have an inclination as to what the situation is.

The cigar looks good, and smokes as a good cuban should. The draw is good, the burn perfect (not needing correcting once) and the band is perfect but for the bottom dot above the word cohiba being very slightly obscured (which i have seen to some degree in apparently genuine pictures online).

What roused my suspicions was simply that I found it quite disappointing. The monte no.4's I had recently just seemed to have so much more to them! The first third was somewhat lacking in flavour (only really an earthy taste), and it didn't liven up until about halfway through, with the flavour I would expect of such an expensive cigar only coming through towards the final third.

Was I simply expecting too much? Could the fact that I've been smoking quite regularly have affected my taste buds meaning I missed out on much of the flavour? They have been in my humidor for about 6 months at about 75. Might they be too wet?

I guess you can only be really sure if you know where they were bought but if anyone has the time to give me some thoughts and got through my very long first post I'd be grateful!

[tippexx]

[QUOTE=CigarsAndWHisky;79682]Hello all,

They have been in my humidor for about 6 months at about 75. Might they be too wet?

You may have answered your own question. I think most of the guys on here would advocate 69-70? as being an optimum for storage and good smoking characteristics.

[CigarsAndWHisky]

Ah! Many many thanks to you. I feel like an idiot. Would it be possible for you to give me an idea of how exactly over humidification affects taste? I hope I haven't permanently messed them up?

- Though I ought to also say I merged two sentences together there. They have been in my humidor(s) for 6 moths, and spent a couple of weeks at 75% when I hadn't properly calibrated the hydromoter in my new humidor. Other than that they have been between 68-72. Also the monte's in there tasted good.

[tippexx]

Not on an Espl?ndidos because I've never tasted one. But I doubt you've messed them up.

[Daize]

If they spent a couple weeks at 75 and it was some time ago that should not be the problem. If it was recent then maybe give them a couple weeks to settle and try them again, they should be fine. Overly high expectations can often ruin a cigar experience though

I can say the esplendidos I have smoked I did expect alot from and I got it IMHO Esplendidos do start a bit lighter, as they are longer, and build up.

[eggopp]

Ive got some esplendidos in my humi, to be honest i think all cohibas are an acquired taste, perhaps not quite to your tastes, ive had several different varieties of cigars and i can name several that i prefer over the cohibas. I know, i know cohibas are the main thing,, but not to my taste buds. It may not be the sticks but your taste in cigars. Personally i wouldnt worry about it.

[CigarsAndWHisky]

It was a couple of weeks ago, but I'll leave them a while and have another go at a later date. They are sitting at a healthy 70 now (assuming the damn hydrometer isnt lying to me!)

I didn't find the smoke at all unpleasant, just... well lacking in something, which I guess could be due to the humidity or just my taste in cigars rather than them not being genuine. If I'm still not convinced when I have my next one could I send one out to someone who knows this cigar well?

I do have quite strong tastes generally, with dark heavy pipe tobacco being a source of great pleasure for me. Might anyone be able to suggest a good cigar for my tastes given that I like montechristo 4's?

And thank you all very much for your comments and advice! This is a really wonderful forum.

[tippexx]

Against the Monte 4. If you're comparing like for like size wise it would be hard to beat the Por Larranaga Petit Coronas IMHO.

[eggopp]

I also smoke a pipe, although very rarely now, i find the pipe effects the taste buds and in turn effects the taste of the cigar, im minded therefore to make my pipe redundant. Maybe its your pipe? Just a thought.

[nev coss]

in my opinion guys who try a Cohiba for the first time are looking for that "wow" factor, not always the case , with any large cigars as the Esplendido the flavours can change from the first third to the last third, the Monte# 4 is a Petite Corona so the flavour of the cigar is there from the start

[Kdot]

I also smoke a pipe, Maybe its your pipe? Just a thought.

A crack pipe???

[CigarsAndWHisky]

A crack pipe???

A cherrywood pipe which often contains Yachtsman players or the modern equivalent of dunhill. Though crack would of course explain strange issues with taste.

The pipe, humidity or expectations seem good explanations, and perhaps all play a part though I still haven't ruled out counterfeiting. Having said that they really do look the real deal - nothing like the box that some guy was trying to sell on here, but I suppose it isnt too hard to find an old box, real bands and some realistic looking generic cigars.

Guess ill leave it a month, lay off the pipe and see where I am with the next attempt.

edit: I should also say I wasn't just a little disappointed, but genuinely surprised by the absence of any really distinctive flavour. Obviously I expected a lot from this one, but it was just different to any of the monte's, R y J's. Punch etc that I've tried. Though i'm by no means an expert on cohibas or cigars in general.

[daverave999]

A couple of weeks at higher humidity shouldn't have caused those problems if they have settled back down to normal now-you're more likely to see wrapper splitting from that. I don't know your experience with cigars, but perhaps they just need more age?

[CigarsAndWHisky]

While my general tobacco use and knowledge is what some might call unnecessary and obsessive I'm a relative youngster when it comes to cigars - just over half a year - though I've been obsessively making up for lost time.

In fact as I type my girlfriend is bringing me back some from duty free. I cant wait to see her!!!!

But as far as proper ageing of cigars goes I'm certainly lacking in experience. All I've really done is built up as large a collection as I could given funding limitations and stored them away in my humidor. To be honest I'm not sure how an underaged cigar generally tastes (apart from, I imagine, lacking complexity and perhaps being a bit sharper than an aged one?).

[monkey66]

Am I to understand you are not sure of the authenticity of these sticks. If so I would suggest discussions about taste profiles a little futile at this point.

Simple test for authenticity....where did your friend get them from. If it was a legitimate source (Habanos approved shops only) then they are 99% real, if it was from a non-legit source (friend of a friend, guy who works in the factory, man on the beach/street etc.) then they are 99% fake.

A few good pics and we should be able to clear that one up.

but remember - if you enjoy smoking them, smoke up