QDO 50 MAR 2020 24:24 Clearance (SBLVRW)

[kb_]

TB: 35 KC: 28

My CC tasting experience is limited, especially with aged cigars, having started only recently in 2019.  I purchased many boxes from our host with 24:24 and quickly filled my humidor with boxes of Cohiba Espléndidos, Ramon Allones Specially Selected, Trinidad Fundadores, Partagas Serie D No. 4, Monte Petite Edmundos, Diplomático No. 2, Hoyo De Monterey Epicure No. 2, Bolivar petite Coronas,  and H. Upmans. I didn’t know what I didn’t know about cubans so seeing what others on the forum enjoyed gave me a good starting point in variety to sample. Knowing that most of these cigars benefit from years of aging is difficult given the wait, but I have been able to see how the cigars mature and hit their stride. It is remarkable how what I perceived as a mediocre cigar turns into a top rated smoke even over the course of a year. I know I’m likely still years away from some hitting their prime and smoking early has only robbed me of a great smoke later (PSP Dip 2’s), but I still enjoy pulling from boxes to see how things are progressing. It is the only way to learn. 

I was first introduced to the QDO 50 from the 2019 12 days of Christmas sampler.  It reminded me of notes that I really enjoyed from the Trinidad fundadores, which while my box is young it has been a favorite for me and my brother. 

I bought two clearance boxes of 10 on 24:24: one to age and one to smoke over the next year/share with my brother and father. They arrived very quickly and with a 65% bóveda. These are right off the truck having received them today. They arrived in perfect shape and with good humidity despite the trip and cold, near freezing weather here. 

Tasting notes: Cedar, vanilla,caramel, toasted bit o honey, slight sweetness, toasted candied nuts, cracker on retrohale. Early brief note of spice and white pepper which disappeared very quickly. As the cigar heated up toward the last third the notes of cedar and toast pushed the sweetness out, but it was still present on the finish. 

Medium bodied, smooth smoke. 

No sense of strength, but not a good judge on nicotine since I enjoy chewing tobaccos and I get no effect. 

Beautifully constructed. Perfect draw. Only complaint is that I wish it were a Churchill so I could have enjoyed it longer. 

I look forward to trying the QDO 54 from the 2019 Christmas sampler at some point but I’d like to get a little more time on it to make sure I’m not missing anything. 

Any recommendations for how long I should age these 50’s?

Thanks and enjoy! Looking forward to/hoping for a cigar stand since I have dropped a stick before in the past, and we know that can end in disaster. I had seen the FOH stand and wanted one but they hadn’t been available to purchase in the store.