Plugged Cohiba 1966's

[KB24]

Decided to fire up the 2 Cohiba 1966's that I traded for several months ago. One of my friends is moving to Texas so I thought as a going away cigar, this would be a nice gesture.

Both cigars were plugged and although we both smoked the entire cigar, I thought about tossing it several times.

I'd take a RG CE over the 1966 any day!

-Patrick

[ChanceSchmerr]

Agreed 100%. The First 1966 I ever had was lousy tasting. The second was received in trade, and I attempted to smoke it on the night before my wedding - completely plugged, I tossed it.

Thankfully a good BOTL sent me one in a bomb and it was absolutely stellar.........so I believe there are good ones out there now!

[Stevieboy]

That's a bloody shame....I had a plugged Cohiba Sublimes last year and I had to toss it! Broke my heart .....

[mash]

Decided to fire up the 2 Cohiba 1966's that I traded for several months ago. One of my friends is moving to Texas so I thought as a going away cigar, this would be a nice gesture.

Both cigars were plugged and although we both smoked the entire cigar, I thought about tossing it several times.

I'd take a RG CE over the 1966 any day!

-Patrick

That's a shame. The ones I've smoked have been on the loose draw side.

[ptrthgr8]

I've smoked a box and a half of these in the last year or so. No plugs or anything. They've all smoked really well.

Cheers,

Greg

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

[ramon_cojones]

this does not surprise me, sorry to hear

[Blakes]

Sounds like everyones trading away there plugged 66's... have they no shame!

I've had 5 66's so far and while non have been plugged every single 1 was completely different, 2 were great, 1 nice but nothing special.. the last 2 crap. Even with the 2 that were amazing they tasted completely different.

[CaptainQuintero]

Yeah they seem to suffer from the same construction/ issues as the Allones Extra for me, 50/50 at best you get an unsmokable box either windtunnels, plugs or some horrific blend. Make sure you buy from someone who is handpicking your boxes if you can't check yourself.

[Paul3]

Consistency with the 1966 is a joke. There is absolutely none.

Sorry to hear your sticks were plugged. Like ramon_cojones said, this does not surprise me...

Is it the flavor consistency or the plugged cigars that aren't a surprise? I know some don't favor the LE's, but has Cohiba been know for plugged or inconsistent cigars? LE's, in general, been known for being plugged? I've only smoked one 1966 out of my box and thought the flavors weren't overwhelming it smoked rather well IMHO. Just curious.

[alloy]

I have had five of these over the last year. The first was ok but just tobacco flavor. The next two had a draw so firm they were really hard to smoke (believe these were semi plugged). The next to the last one I left to sit in my wineador for six months and it smoked a whole lot better with caramel, cacao and cedar flavors.The last one (I recived another fiver from a Great BOTL) I had just last week on the back patio, 75* with full sunshine. It was the best of all of them. Smoking time 2hrs 15min until nubbing within 3/4". So this fiver I just received will sit at least six months at 65/65.

Will not touch them until at least then.

[westg]

Really surprised at this. I have sixteen left, the four I have smoked two from each box have been amazing. I for one certainly would not be trading them . I think having a 66 brings smoking a cigar to a totally different level. Further more this is the first I have heard of people having problems like this with the 66.

[Ophidion]

I've had bad luck with 1966s as well usually a 20-30% super firm draw rate.

[nikesupremedunk]

Guys don't want to alarm anyone but there's been a lot of fake 1966's going around and without seeing the box the cigars look no different than the real ones. These aren't the typical cut off white dot cohiba bands either..they are 99.9% accurate so virtually impossible to tell apart. Not saying anyone is trading these knowingly, but they are in circulation and might be the reason why some are reporting lousy experiences with them.

If anyone remembers the fake/real MGR post, these are sort of similar except maybe even harder to distinguish. I've heard from people that tried the fakes that they smoke like a CC but turns really bad around half way.

If you got them from czar or other 100% reputable vendors then I wouldn't worry, but just be careful buying/trading singles in the future.

[nikesupremedunk]

I've had 2 so far (both legit) and while they weren't as great as some reviews I've seen, they certainly weren't plugged or smoked bad. Got to give them more time..

[ramon_cojones]

I am talking about flavours and construction. For any EL to suffer is unfortunate and unfair. For a Cohiba EL to suffer, especially at the high price point and the fact that it is HSA's flagship marca, is a slap in the face.

I have smoked through a bunch already and one was one oif the best cigars I have ever smoked. The others ranged from mediocre, to good, to not any better than a JLP. Have had more wind tunnels a la Padron than tight ones, but have had some tight ones too. Just really disappointing when the expectations are so high.

You bought some or traded? The only ELs I ever bought were the RAs and luckily got rid of that box real quick and couldn't imagine spending the chips on some 1966s when they make better cigars for less.

[MC4]

I've had 3 singles and they were fantastic. Bought a box. They are still resting. Looking forward to going through the box soon.

[Knvb]

Only tried two whilst in Havana both were plugged and harsh.... Cohiba has not been kind to me in general I think its because they know im a partagas ***** at heart

[coug28]

Guys don't want to alarm anyone but there's been a lot of fake 1966's going around and without seeing the box the cigars look no different than the real ones. These aren't the typical cut off white dot cohiba bands either..they are 99.9% accurate so virtually impossible to tell apart. Not saying anyone is trading these knowingly, but they are in circulation and might be the reason why some are reporting lousy experiences with them.

If anyone remembers the fake/real MGR post, these are sort of similar except maybe even harder to distinguish. I've heard from people that tried the fakes that they smoke like a CC but turns really bad around half way.

If you got them from czar or other 100% reputable vendors then I wouldn't worry, but just be careful buying/trading singles in the future.

Does this strike you as a forum where folks don't have a plethora of trusted vendors?

I sincerely doubt fakes circulating is the issue here. It is entirely possible, even with the high price tag, that some of these ELs (yes, even Cohibas) are plugged and generic tasting. Just look at the RA Extras.

[Dbone]

Okay, so what's the lesson to be learned here? =)

[nikesupremedunk]

Does this strike you as a forum where folks don't have a plethora of trusted vendors?

I sincerely doubt fakes circulating is the issue here. It is entirely possible, even with the high price tag, that some of these ELs (yes, even Cohibas) are plugged and generic tasting. Just look at the RA Extras.

To make a long story short, there's a vendor selling these fake 1966's and MGR's that some might still think are reputable. So if someone buys it, trades it or gives it away unintentionally, it's definitely possible to be in circulation. I suppose the chances aren't very high though.

[sengjc]

...but has Cohiba been know for plugged or inconsistent cigars?...

I can say from personal experience that I have had Siglo I, II and III purchased in the past that are rolled exceedingly tight, about a dozen in every cab. Boxes were from the 07 and 08.

I still have some of the Siglo I left over in hopes the long term aging will loosen the draw a little.

[El Presidente]

Put tight/plugged cigars in the fridge for a day (just put them in loose/caps cut). It solves 75%+ of the issues for me.

Agreed we shouldn't have to do it. Still, my forehead is not for banging against the wall and we can't change Tabacuba anytime soon.

[Smallclub]

To make a long story short, there's a vendor selling these fake 1966's and MGR's that some might still think are reputable.

What's the relation between fake 1966 and plugged/underfilled 1966? The fakes from this vendor are generally very well rolled.

There are quality issues with all recent high end Cohiba, worlwide. A friend of mine was in Andorra last month, he couldn't find ONE decent box of 1966. Construction and wrapper issues all over the place…

[OZCUBAN]

This a interesting topic,EL'S and RE'S included, HSA produces Cigars that go from absolutely Sublime to the good bad and the ugly

All Marques and price points inclusive ,as rob states this shouldn't be so ,HSA still has someway to go in the terms of consistent quality.

To me it seems to come in fits and starts, good one time bad the other ,but that having been said they have got better in recent years

I think as much as we hate things like this, for the time being I think we just have to put it down as this is the way things are at the moment

I have seen some bad days in the history of the CC and I hate inconsistency especially when you pay good money.

But I believe that HSA are slowly heading in the right direction

Plus I buy mainly from Rob ,so I get the best possible chance of quality

Cheers

[sengjc]

Put tight/plugged cigars in the fridge for a day (just put them in loose/caps cut). It solves 75%+ of the issues for me.

Agreed we shouldn't have to do it. Still, my forehead is not for banging against the wall and we can't change Tabacuba anytime soon.

Indeed Rob, your advice bears much wisdom. I do however subscribe to the: "let the healing fingers of Time sort it out" camp of thought. Besides, I am in no hurry having amassed a sizeable cache over the years.