Sick Period?

[traded]

Hi gang, I tried to do a search and didn't find much. Sorry if this topic has been beaten to death here.

I would like to learn about this so called sick period (s) for cigars. I used to think that this was another way of saying that the cigar is too young (too much amonia released by ongoing fermentation). However, I have a box of Que D'Orsay Panatelas from 2007 that has become almost un-smokable because of intense ACIDITY. Is this akin to a sick period for my Que's or are the cigars doomed? Have you noticed cigars turning acidic on you after a period of greatness? I just hope that this intense acidity goes away as its quite nasty....

Thoughts?

[Van55]

The notion of a "sick period" in Cuban cigars is quite controversial. If memory serves, the notion was conceived by Gerard. Some claim that he invented the idea to explain away cigars that he sold with which some customers expressed dissatisfaction. Others believe the "sick period" exists in one form or another and to one degree or another.

Min Ron NEE, in his Encyclopaedia theorizes that Cuban cigars go through four distinct periods of "fermenation"

1. Sick period -- "when an ammoniac smell is still detectable in a newly manufactured cigar;

2. First maturation -- a period of ongoing fermentation when "a cigar is most 'flavoursome'" when "the bitter and tannic harsh tastes have mellowed to a level which is not annoying..."

3. Second maturation -- "A time when the total pleasant flavours formed by interaction between the end products of fermentation and the breaking down of tanning long chain polymers reach peak level" -- whatever that means

4. Third maturation -- "a time when... great bouquets are at peak level."

Presumably there's another stage, during which cigars have passed their peak and are in decline in terms of flavors and bouquets.

In my personal experience, even quite young cigars purchased from vendors have passed the point at which they are still smelling of ammonia. There have been rare exceptions.

Also in my experience, some, but by no means all Cuban cigars hit a stage during which they are dull, flavors are muted and the smoking experience is bland to the point of boring. I have experienced this phenomenon most frequently with Partagas Serie D #4, but it has arisen with other marcas and vitolas from time to time. Invariably, these cigars have, in another year or two, passed what I have called the "dumb period" and become truly wonderful smokes.

The fact is that cigars, as organic product, evolve and change within the box over time. Some never have a "sick period". Some never become what we would call "great" cigars.

They're a bit like the weather. If you don't like them now, wait a bit, and they will change.

I personally would not refer to what you are experiencing with your Q D'Os fro 2007 as "sick." I do hope it is temporary. The paneteallsa that I have smoked have been sublime.

[PigFish]

I can't comment on your cigars mate but I have an opinion regarding sick periods.

It is the rationale that explains why that box of cigars that you paid so much for taste like **** today and presumably won't tomorrow (as mentioned above). AND... the reason why my rare 19XX Batguanomaras are still worth a $1000 bucks a stick even though they taste like ****! That's it in a nutshell! A convenient theory created by those who profit from either the retail or collector's cigar markets. -Piggy

[Van55]

Let me add this....

To truly and accurately judge a box of cigars as "sick" one would have to smoke every cigar in the box and conclude that each cigar has the same "defects."

From time to time I have had the experience of smoking a Cuban cigar that tasted overwhelmingly of scented bar soap. Yet a cigar from the same box tasted of nothing but Cuban tobacco. Stuff happens and some cigars within a box can simply be below average/anomalous while the others are perfectly fine.

[traded]

Let me add this....

To truly and accurately judge a box of cigars as "sick" one would have to smoke every cigar in the box and conclude that each cigar has the same "defects."

From time to time I have had the experience of smoking a Cuban cigar that tasted overwhelmingly of scented bar soap. Yet a cigar from the same box tasted of nothing but Cuban tobacco. Stuff happens and some cigars within a box can simply be below average/anomalous while the others are perfectly fine.

I hear ya about the variability, but I honestly think I have seen a transition in this box from Great (first 5 sticks) to ok (next 3) to unsmokable due to that acidity i mentioned (last 3).

So what makes for this acidity? As I mentioned in the OP, this is an 07 box so its not super fresh or anything.

d

[Bartolomeo]

So in theory what is the difference between a bad cigar vs. a sick period cigar? If a cigar sucks today, how is that different from saying its in a "sick period"?

I think some cigars will just suck no matter how long you age them

I am still learning as well

Bart

[Van55]

So in theory what is the difference between a bad cigar vs. a sick period cigar? If a cigar sucks today, how is that different from saying its in a "sick period"?

Great question, but ultimately it's unanswerable.

I think some cigars will just suck no matter how long you age them

I agree.