Ready to smoke young recommendations

[Smallclub]

what traits are you looking for when deciding if a stick needs more time?

Good question.

The obvious:
piquancy, agressivity, wrong flavor/strenght balance, presence of ammoniac (rare nowadays)…
… or the opposite: the cigar is bland, no flavour, no depth - in french we say that the cigar is "transparent"…

Less obvious, and more an acquired thing:
the blend is not set yet, the main taste is tobacco, the specific flavours are far behind; the smoke is too thin, it doesn't have the right texture.

[cbob]

I disagree 100%
I buy all recent/fresh cigars and have loved everything from 07 and newer.

But of course taste is very subjective.

I am allowed to disagree right?

Actually: I'm with you.

The past few years, since about 2002 have seen a lot of great cigars coming from That Special Island. Tobaccos are better and have been given more time to age and most of what I've bought -no; I'll say everything I've bought has been quite good even when smoked in the year packed.

Of course, I'm a big fan of ageing Cuban cigars and while I'll "sample" a few when relatively new, I like to hold on to them for a minimum of two years from the box date before starting any regular tastings.

Lately, I've been smoking a lot of 8-10 yo stocks and they have been superb overall. It's interesting to compare tasting notes from "new" cigars from 2002, that often point out some harsh or bitter notes near the end of the smoke, with later notes that have often mentioned how the cigar is "still improving" over the past year or two.
.

[seanbeer]

presence of ammonia, mainly for me, otherewise i would not call the stick too young.

I think it depends on a box by box cases, i think mainly due to the fermentation process and control, the first time when I got a strong ammonia kick and think wow, this is what they are talking about, it was a Monte 5.

[daverave999]

I'll concur with Trinidad Reyes and PL Montecarlo. IMO the Hoyo Petit Robusto can be a bit much young.

what traits are you looking for when deciding if a stick needs more time?

In my admittedly short experience, I'd say there's a harshness (or sometimes a papery taste) about tobacco that is too young that overshadows the flavours of the cigar. I'm looking for that to disappear.

What about N.C'S ?
Or are we not including them ?

This was posted in Cuban Cigar Discussion.

[Habana-Habanos]

Yeah this should be quite an interesting read. I know from the 2010 boxes I have here that PDS4s and Monte2s definitely need a year on them.

Yeah +1 for Monte 2's mine are great but just need some age.

[peanutpete]

surely the question is not if they are great now but will they be even better in 5-10-20 years from now?

[cbob]

surely the question is not if they are great now but will they be even better in 5-10-20 years from now?

That's indeed a question many of us ask as we crack open a new box with a fairly recent date code.
Unfortunately, some of us and I'm one, don't have the budget of many of the serious collectors that allows us to buy two or three boxes of each of our favorite marcas and sizes so that we have "some to smoke and some to age".
Newbies may also want to sample a variety to find out what they like before settling down to the hobby of ageing cigars and may not yet have acquired the educated palate that allows them to judge ageing potential. They want a cigar that is good ROTT and if they end up with enough stocks to cycle through them while keeping some "laid away", that will do for now.

The oldest smokes in my collection only have 13 years on them and while there are many that I really lament not buying more of when I had the chance there is no question that I've enjoyed "sampling" over the years.
Both the budget and travel restrictions are to blame of course- I'm not really keen to buy multiple boxes of one vitola when I'm in Cuba and I'm not into taking chances with online buying. Maybe when I win the lottery.

[tippexx]

surely the question is not if they are great now but will they be even better in 5-10-20 years from now?

This I think Pete is worthy of a separate thread. A sticky perhapts if the Mods agree. A Forum game-plan of recommendation for purchase and laying down based on Member experiences.

[tippexx]

That's indeed a question many of us ask as we crack open a new box with a fairly recent date code.
Unfortunately, some of us and I'm one, don't have the budget of many of the serious collectors that allows us to buy two or three boxes of each of our favorite marcas and sizes so that we have "some to smoke and some to age".
Newbies may also want to sample a variety to find out what they like before settling down to the hobby of ageing cigars and may not yet have acquired the educated palate that allows them to judge ageing potential. They want a cigar that is good ROTT and if they end up with enough stocks to cycle through them while keeping some "laid away", that will do for now.

The oldest smokes in my collection only have 13 years on them and while there are many that I really lament not buying more of when I had the chance there is no question that I've enjoyed "sampling" over the years.
Both the budget and travel restrictions are to blame of course- I'm not really keen to buy multiple boxes of one vitola when I'm in Cuba and I'm not into taking chances with online buying. Maybe when I win the lottery.

cbob has pretty much hit the nail on the head to what I was getting at. I've only really been smoking cigars seriously for a little over a year now, which pretty much coincides with my time of being a Member here.
In that time I've learned, and if I'm teaching granny to suck eggs I apologise, that 'age' is beneficial to the flavour and enjoyment of Cuban cigars and it's with the accumulation of some age when they provide best value.
I too can't afford to buy two boxes at a time with a view to smoke one, mature one. At best I can buy a box and try to space out my smoking until they reach their better smoking period.
But, all vitola are different. Some need long ageing to reach their optimum, others not so long and for some hardly any at all.
The purpose of the thread (and the list) is just to try and determine those cigars which can be enjoyed new and possibly help relative newbee's like myself with the selection of boxes and tester singles.

[gooseman]

The purpose of the thread (and the list) is just to try and determine those cigars which can be enjoyed new and possibly help relative newbee's like myself with the selection of boxes and tester singles.

Perfectly summarised Mr Tippexx.

A list like this will greatly improve my some what new hobby/lifestyle by showing me the more enjoyable young cigars, to which I will be able to build upon with the direction of ageing sticks down the line.

The Party short has been a tremendous young cigar for me, since being recommended from you guys.

[macker89]

The Party short has been a tremendous young cigar for me, since being recommended from you guys.

Agreed

[Puff Scotty]

I too can't afford to buy two boxes at a time with a view to smoke one, mature one.

Hi again Tipp, are you under the impression you need to have a complete box for the ageing process? Not so!
The process is explained brilliantly in Min Ron Nee's Encyclopaedia of Post-Revolution Havana Cigars.(New edition in progress I believe.)
You'll find many of us buy a box, maybe smoke one or two & decide they would be better left to age somewhat.
In the good times perhaps buy more than one box but sure enough, over time, you'll have some aged stogies starting to bolster your collection.
Meanwhile I have a few 'newish' cigars I can send you to try if you PM your address.
Cheers

[tippexx]

Wow .... that's too generous an offer to pass on. Thanks loads Puff Scotty. PM on it's way.


Aye, but just ye remember Mr Scotty, the Black Pigge always be a ready trimmed to leave her moorins'.

[peanutpete]

This I think Pete is worthy of a separate thread. A sticky perhapts if the Mods agree. A Forum game-plan of recommendation for purchase and laying down based on Member experiences.

sorry Tip did not mean to thread jack just a response to previous answers

[spirit_of_will]

There seems to have been a bit of old thread resurrection over the last week. I did a search on "young smokes" and found this one.

I know it's only 3 months since this was last discussed but do any BOTL's have any further views on what is smoking well young (I'm talking 2009-2010 stock)...?