What happened to the signature flavours?

[Joeysmoke]

Hey hey! Joe here from Vancouver, BC - long time member, first time posting.

Just checking in to see how all the classic vitolas of the major marcas have been smoking for you. I smoked a very good RyJ Short Churchill tonight that was excellent but it lacked that heavy, port soaked maraschino cherry base and I realized that it's been a long time since my favourite Cubans yielded their signature profiles. For me, it's been years since a Monte 2 has shown any of the classic, creamy, cedary "twang" we all fell in love with, a BBF hasn't had that bright cedar and overbrewed lemon tea. It's not just the belicoso format that's let me down - the RASS haven't had the chocolatey cinnamon, nor the Trini line shown any burnt honey.

My humidor hasn't let me down, nor have the suppliers or my awesome local B&M. The cigars smoke very good but they're lacking what were guaranteed notes 10-15 years ago. Has anyone experienced this sadness?

Thanks for your time!

[El Presidente]

Can't agree with you but check out some of the member reviews over the weekend!

Monte 2 with the right wrapper are still all coffee ,cream and cocoa. 

R&J with Rosado wrappers are all stewed cherry/espresso. 

15 years ago Punch Punch were at their worst. BBF same. Epi 2 cabs..dicey.  Trini were certainly better. 

2000-2004 was no panacea. In terms of quality, it doesn't go close to matching say 13-16.

In terms of flavour?   I think you will get a mixed response. 

In a blind taste test I suspect a 2013 BBF/Punch Punch ot RJ E4 would absolutely pants the same cigars from 2000-2004 8 times out of 10. 

 

 

[Fugu]

Cannot relate to it either, at least not as a general notion across the board. Also, bear in mind the fact that your palate may change as well over the years.

[Shaunster]

Recent BBF have been amazing, better than ever. Same for Punch Punch. 

[canadianbeaver]

Great reviews of flavour profiles, positive or negative.

I find some of the ones I used to love for deep creamy, coffee, chocolate or hay tones (and I never write this stuff down) are now less rewarding. Punch Punch with 5 years for example.

Others have risen to the occasion, such as RA LE 2015’s and Cohiba Medio Siglo. Not a Bolivar fan. Anything Trini rocks my world.

This, like dessert, is personal preference of course.

Cheers,

CB

[Joeysmoke]

On 6/1/2018 at 6:14 PM, El Presidente said:

Can't agree with you but check out some of the member reviews over the weekend!

Monte 2 with the right wrapper are still all coffee ,cream and cocoa. 

R&J with Rosado wrappers are all stewed cherry/espresso. 

15 years ago Punch Punch were at their worst. BBF same. Epi 2 cabs..dicey.  Trini were certainly better. 

2000-2004 was no panacea. In terms of quality, it doesn't go close to matching say 13-16.

In terms of flavour?   I think you will get a mixed response. 

In a blind taste test I suspect a 2013 BBF/Punch Punch ot RJ E4 would absolutely pants the same cigars from 2000-2004 8 times out of 10.

The wrapper on last night's Short Churchill was definitely not that choice Rosado. More Colorado, for sure. And maybe that was my train of thought - I can't recall the wrapper having as much influence on the signature flavours as it seems to nowadays. Great to hear about BBF - just finished a box of Royal Coronas that was mediocre at best.

 

On 6/1/2018 at 10:59 PM, Shaunster said:

Recent BBF have been amazing, better than ever. Same for Punch Punch. 

Awesome! Will be buying for sure!

 

On 6/1/2018 at 11:16 PM, canadianbeaver said:

Great reviews of flavour profiles, positive or negative.

I find some of the ones I used to love for deep creamy, coffee, chocolate or hay tones (and I never write this stuff down) are now less rewarding. Punch Punch with 5 years for example.

Others have risen to the occasion, such as RA LE 2015’s and Cohiba Medio Siglo. Not a Bolivar fan. Anything Trini rocks my world.

This, like dessert, is personal preference of course.

Cheers,

CB

Really looking forward to my first Medio Siglo. Maybe this weekend...

[dobbs]

On 5/31/2018 at 11:09 PM, Joeysmoke said:

For me, it's been years since a Monte 2 has shown any of the classic, creamy, cedary "twang" we all fell in love with, a BBF hasn't had that bright cedar and overbrewed lemon tea.

apologies for the semi-necro-post, but i am enjoying my first BBF right now (from the 2019 christmas sampler), and minus the lemon, this describes it perfectly!

starting the 2nd third now and it is amazing, will probably buy a box.

-dobbs

[Joeysmoke]

On 4/5/2020 at 5:06 PM, dobbs said:

apologies for the semi-necro-post, but i am enjoying my first BBF right now (from the 2019 christmas sampler), and minus the lemon, this describes it perfectly!

starting the 2nd third now and it is amazing, will probably buy a box.

-dobbs

You're getting cedar and tea from a fresh BBF?! Guess I know my next purchase!

[Rhinoww]

It’s a rabbit hole for sure. Waiting on my fourth box of BBF since August. None have disappointed. Pretty much every BBF I have shared has resulted in a box being purchased. Take a look at 24:24. There still might be some available on clearance. 

[cigaraholic]

20th century Cuban cigars were an amazing ride!

21st century Cuban cigars are a roller coaster ride.....thru a mine field