nikesupremedunk Posted July 20, 2012 Posted July 20, 2012 Over the past short 2 months or so, I experienced some of the most popular current production cigars but never had a chance to try anything with age. It makes a new smoker very curious, what exactly is the big deal? Could a few years really make such a huge difference in a cigar? I decided to find out tonight. This isn't my first PSD4. I had a loosie from czar with probably a '11 something date a couple weeks back but since I can't remember much of it now, I guess it wasn't really impressionable. This '08 PSD4 was the one from the aged sampler pack and it wasn't in the best shape physically from the long journey halfway around the world. Kind of had a faux "box press" on the head and the wrapper was slightly cut open, but once I made the cut it was good to go. I knew this was going to be a very flavorful cigar just from the first pre lit draw. Usually I would get light tobacco notes but this was more of a concentrated tobacco and a bit of spice notes. Took it to flame and it started up well. The draw was perfect, a little bit of resistance with an easy draw - just the way I like it. The opening was equally as flavorful and concentrated as the pre lit draw! Just so much bold flavors hitting my palate; some flavors I could pick out were cedar, leather, spice, and rich tobacco. What I liked about the cigar was that the strength and flavor were in good harmony and didn't overpower your senses. Strong cigar for sure, but had the flavor to back it up. I definitely don't remember my first D4's being anywhere close to this one. I was enjoying every flavorful puff coming from this cigar. At the end of the first third, things were picking up. The leather and spice notes were getting a bit stronger but still just delicious. I feel like there were a lot of flavors that I couldn't put a name to, it was a pretty complex smoke but very enjoyable. I could taste woodiness and a bit of nuttiness as well. There was a slight hint of bitterness present as well but it wasn't interfering with the experience. The burn was also good for the most part but I like touching up the wrapper if I see it not burning evenly so maybe that helped as well. Around the end of the second third, I'm starting to feel the strength of the cigar. Definitely full bodied smoke, and I was feeling the nicotine hits. Wow, what a powerhouse this cigar is. I had a fairly light dinner right before it, but I probably would have thrown up if I smoked on an empty stomach. The cigar was giving off more woody notes now and once or twice I swear I tasted some citrus in there. It was starting to remind me of the Bolivar profile with its woodiness but not as sweet. The burn was consistent, and the cigar never went out on me. Still enjoying every puff. Usually by the time the ash reaches the band, I remove it and smoke it down another inch or so. By the time the ash reached the band on this D4's, I was ready to throw in the towel. I was having a slight nicotine buzz, but it wasn't so overpowering that I was feeling sick or anything. It was a nice buzz from a powerful cigar. The flavor all died down by this point though, and all I was getting was just woodiness and it wasn't enjoyable anymore. The flavors seemed to have just disappeared, and only the strength of the cigar remained. I claimed the souvenir my new friend left behind; a bright red and gold band and we went on our separate ways. The taste of the cigar in my mouth stuck with me for another few hours and I must admit it left me satisfied but yearning for more. I think I read somewhere that the '08 PSD4's were legendary compared to the ones after it, and I'm convinced. I'm going to have to try a '12 box of PSD4 I have tomorrow and compare while this is still fresh in my head. Overall, it was a great cigar that made me appreciate what a bit of age can do to it. Now I"m more curious than ever to try some sticks with 5-10 years of age on them!
chr0nic Posted July 20, 2012 Posted July 20, 2012 Good review mate; had one of the aged 08's myself the other night and had a similar over-all experience... powerful, yet much more impressive than a younger PSD4. Funnily enough I also wanted to put it down when it reached the band, but powered through and enjoyed it to the nub. Good times... Love the razor sharp and even burn in the third photo- Nice one!
Lotusguy Posted July 20, 2012 Posted July 20, 2012 Man, time flies - now 2008 is considered aged. I remember picking up a bunch of fresh 2008 stuff seemingly only yesterday.
nikesupremedunk Posted July 21, 2012 Author Posted July 21, 2012 Ryan, I would have smoked it to the nub but it just started tasting so bad by the time I put it down...hopefully my next one will be better to the end. Man, time flies - now 2008 is considered aged. I remember picking up a bunch of fresh 2008 stuff seemingly only yesterday. Lol yea I agree with you, time is flying. I'm sure in 4 years I'll be saying the same thing about the '11's and '12's!
nikesupremedunk Posted July 21, 2012 Author Posted July 21, 2012 Also to add to this review... I just smoked one of my '12 sticks an hour ago. Completely a different animal than the 08 from last night. It wasn't really bland, but just didn't have the complexity and the flavor of the 08. Had I not tried the 08's I would have just thought it was a decent cigar. What's funny is that it wasn't nearly as strong as the 08's were, so unless they were a different blend maybe they got stronger over the years? I guess I'll let the 12's sit for a while and see if they "evolve".
kidmac Posted August 6, 2012 Posted August 6, 2012 Nice review! I have smoked these for some time now only had a couple bad sticks thru the early 2000 i think that the consistency has finally come back to these cigars! With just a couple of years of age on them these smokes really open up and in my oppinion one of the best robustos out there.
Charltonc Posted August 6, 2012 Posted August 6, 2012 This cigar is just beginning to hit wait five more years then you will have a beauty.
maverickdrinker Posted August 6, 2012 Posted August 6, 2012 I have a love/hate relationship with psd4s. Some have been spectacular. Others made me rinse my mouth out.
gostgost Posted August 6, 2012 Posted August 6, 2012 I had one Saturday night from Rob and it was terrific. Great review I couldn't say it ant better.
SerieT Posted August 7, 2012 Posted August 7, 2012 awesome review man! one of my all time favorites...cheers
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