2006 Cigars

[El Presidente]

Member Nocoins posted the following question on the Vid review thread which I think we can better answer as a group.

I'd like to see some reviews of cigars from 2006-2008. Recently, I've primarily been smoking cigars from 2004-2010. The cigars from 04-08 (especially 04-06 right now) seem to be more true to their marca. I have found more similarity in taste among fresh cigars across marcas. We know that recent production cigars certainly are more approachable younger than in the past, but I wonder if that is not such a good thing after all. So, I'd like to hear your thoughts on whether 3-5 years of box age allows recent production cigars to develop more brand-specific characteristics. Or maybe it is all in my head

So question to the Forum.

2006 was to me a watershed year in Habanos s.a. The transformation commenced late 05 but for various reasons there was a consensus that the cigars across the marques were far more approachable right out of the box.

There was also some gnashing of teeth from longtime lovers of Habanos questioning their ability to age.

So, those who have and are smoking 2006 (thenand now), what are your experiences? Have they aged the way you have expected? how were they then...how are they now?

Cheers!

[shrink]

I thought that the 2006 vintage was good then, and even better now. I can't say that any of them were ever truly "sick", but they have gone through some changes. For the most part, they've aged wonderfully. Some of my very favorite cigars are 2006's:

Cohiba Robustos

Cohiba Siglo IV

Cohiba Lanceros

Bolivar Royal Coronas

Bolivar Petit Coronas

Bolivar Coronas Extra

Bolivar Coronas Gigantes

Bolivar Inmensas

Diplomaticos No. 1

Diplomaticos No. 2

Diplomaticos No. 3

Montecristo No. 1

Montecristo No. 2

Montecristo Especial

Partagas 898V

Partagas Serie du Connoisseur

Partagas P2

Partagas Coronas

Ramon Allones Specially Selected

Trinidad Fundadores

[KWG116]

I agree. 2006 was the beginning of the change. I have some great boxes from 06. From April to November. My Mag 46s are at that refined stage where they are straight smooth tobacco. No harshness and all edges that were there in 06 and rounded and smooth. Have about 10 left and they get better everytime I smoke one. I think they are going to hit their peak in about 2 years.

I also think 07 might turn out better with more consitent results.

Most of my 07 stock was purchased through Rob and they are great. Although most went through a short sick period in mid 08.

Thank you

Kwg116

[anacostiakat]

I wrote this back in May.

Well I was wondering what I would smoke this evening and wanting something good.

Some vino was opening up in the glasses so I started to rummage around a bit in the humi.

Pulled out a box that was standing up from the back of one of the shelves and found it was a box of Upmann Mag 46's from JUL05. Took one out and immediately noticed some plume on it.

Cut and fired it up and immediately noticed the opening strength of toasty tobac, leather and woodiness. Tingling taste buds harken to the beginnings of a good cigar from some black pepper. I hope. I really can not remember having a bad one of these though.

Black pepper on the nose initially.

Watching Back to Eternity (1956) with Rod Steiger, Robert Ryan and Anita Ekberg, Gene Barry, amoung others. Black and white film of a plane wreck in the SA jungles. Great show.

This cigar at the first third right away elicits what I expect from an Upmann. Just beautiful creaminess starts to show up along with that Upmann sweet earthiness. But is also shows some fairly full bodied tobacco flavors. Yum.

The nose is now smooth as silk. It is interesting, running my finger over the plume. Don't see a ton of plume on my cigars.

Getting coffee about midway. Quite delicious. A very rich cigar.

Little bit of pepper returns below the half way mark with leather predominent.

What a great cigar. The last third shows a beautiful mixture of leather, coffee, slight black pepper and that earthiness that I love.

They still have that animal quality I love in them. I would love to try some earlier ones to compare.

Fantastic cigar.

[Mr.T]

I've only got one box from 2006 - Partagas SDC 1. I've only just started smoking them so I can't provide any information as to their evolution, but what I can say definitively is the construction, draw, flavors and consistency on these fellas are outstanding!!! I'm going to take my sweet time on these guys....if I can.

[greenpimp]

I bought real deep in 2006 (as Lisa can attest!) , and still have quite a few boxes. Have also gone through quite a few along the way.

In general, I've found that the quality of tobacco from 06 was quite good to excellent, with some real superlative boxes where every one was a perfectly constructed, rich smoke. My Bolivars, Montecristos, Dips, to name a few (and agree with Bob.) They have continued to develop, IMO, and little of the ample strength present in their youth has been lost. (I have Boli PC's and Punch RS11's that are still too strong to smoke...)

They were, overall, really good then and verging on great now.

[cigaraholic]

Can't remember what 06's I've already smoked thru, here's what I'm smoking now.

SCdH El Morro: pleasant cigar with light cocoa flavor, wish there was a heaping of molasses in it. 88

RyJ Churchill: good quality tobacco but no fruitiness, glad it's Summer in Calif. so I can eat some cherries with it. 87

VR Clasicos: elegant cigar with coffee, cream and toffee. 90

Monte #1: great cigar, classic Monte flavor and last third still packs a wallop. 92

Cuaba Distinguidos: very rich, sweet tobacco, last 7 are resting. 92

P2: very good cigar but doesn't remind me of Partagas, to mild. 90

JL #1: sweet, floral..........beautiful cigar. 92

Partagas Coronas Especiales: monsters hiding at the bottom of a desktop, great but could use 5 more years mellowing. 93

Monte#4: nice but not great. 89

Bolivar PC: outstanding! 91