1999 ? 2002. The sad, bad years?

[Deano]

Was a near miss as nearly did it. Glad I didn't!

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[mcgoospot]

That's interesting, senor Mcgoo. Many consider the period "00 to mid "02" to be a time when the quality of Cuban puros was quite bad, some say because Cuba was rusing its product to market to take advantage of the so-called "Cigar Boom."

Don't know about that, but I do remember some poor quality puros during that period and the difference between puros and high-end NCs at that time was marginal, IMO.

It sounds like you are saying that after a decade or more rest, these are becoming decent sticks, no?


Perro, el Perro


Hey El P! I know don TJ has a few 2002 Bolivar Royal Coronas in his massive unit that are absolutely fabulous!

Cigar boom was done by 2001. Cuba exported 50 million in 95, 80 million in 96, 140 million in 97 and by 2000 was exporting 200 million cigars. By 02 the rollers hired in the 90's because of the boom now had experience and could roll a proper cigar. Cuba had also caught up with demand and were once again using aged tobacco rather than tobacco rushed to product due to inability to meet demand. These cigars have aged beautifully.

[RobustoClubHavana]

I have quite a few boxes from 00 01 & 02 again as steve said mine are RGs & SPs also Punch


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[tippexx]

but looking at the leaf wrap it extended along and up the edge - which I've always been told is a sure sign of mould vs plume.

Or it can be neither. It can be where wood dust from box has attached itself to the glue selvage of the wrap. It looks quite scarey until you dust one off or remove all the cigars and see for yourself just how much dust there is in the bottom of the box.

[tippexx]

I have quite a few boxes from 00 01 & 02 again as steve said mine are RGs & SPs also Punch


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Monte Especiales 1 and 2, Vegueros Especiales No 2, RyJ POW, QdO Panatelas, ERdM Elegantes and others .... all from that era, occasional tightish draw but in the main all have smoked fine .... and notice they're all narrow gauge.

[RobustoClubHavana]

Monte Especiales 1 and 2, Vegueros Especiales No 2, RyJ POW, QdO Panatelas, ERdM Elegantes and others .... all from that era, occasional tightish draw but in the main all have smoked fine .... and notice they're all narrow gauge.

The Veguerous no 2 I am trying to get some at present from a supplier from 02

[STEVEYB112]

Fantastic thread...

[tippexx]

The Veguerous no 2 I am trying to get some at present from a supplier from 02

Excellent cigar now, age has turned what was a grassy, grassy cigar into something not to dissimilar to a Cohiba Lancero. You won't be disappointed.

[RobustoClubHavana]

Excellent cigar now, age has turned what was a grassy, grassy cigar into something not to dissimilar to a Cohiba Lancero. You won't be disappointed.

I have full box and I also split two boxes earlier in the year


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[Nick2021]

Snagged a box of 01 SLR Lonsdales yesterday that customers clearly seemed to avoid due to it being within the "bad years." I agree with earlier statements that plugged/poorly rolled cigars were an issue---but that doesn't mean every box is bad. If you can inspect the box and cigars, it can greatly increase the odds of an individual getting a "good" box of cigars while mitigating the risks involved with getting a box of "plugs." This box of 01 SLR lonsdales turned out to be a winner and the cigars are smoking great---but I took my time inspecting this box and another box which I ended up passing on.