My Thanksgiving

[CuritibaRex]

About 6 weeks ago, I wrote here about an experience I had of smoking one of two freshly purchased Hoya de Monterreys and having the first smoke ruined by the amount of ammonia that came off the gar.

Well, the advice I got from brothers, Moro, daniyal, terrantheman, oneaday and mjstone convinced me that it wasn't that uncommon and that I should just let it age a bit in my humi. After about 6 weeks, today, I smoked the other one and man ... what a difference. It was settled down significantly (though not so tame as to be boring) and I just finished an outstanding smoking experience!

Thanks so much, brothers, for the info and for caring to help one who had never had that "ammonia thing" happen before. Today's smoking time reinforced my appreciation for this complexly-evolving-while-it's-smoked cigar. It was great!

 

[terrantheman]

Love those HdM's one of the easier to smoke fresh habanos the #1's have been stellar with recent codes... I wouldn't know much about this except when I travel to other countries like I do every month.

 

[Moro]

I'm just glad I was of assistance; now just be wary of what ye started by having yer first Hoyo, for they are neat sticks indeed! :thumbsup:

 

[njstone]

Glad you enjoyed it, Bro! There are many things that can mess up a good cigar (lately for me it's been the cold weather). But when you have a great experience it more than makes up for it.

In my limited experience thus far, it seems that more time in the humi is almost always a good thing.

 

[daniyal]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the second smoke! Nothing better than having a nice satisfying smoke. A general complaint people seem to have with some Cubans these days is that they're rolled out of the factory earlier than they should be so I highly recommend some time in the humi before smoking them.

 

[CuritibaRex]

I gotta believe that having 2 or 3 hurricanes every year has to mess up the growing/harvesting/aging process somewhere along the way. Just has to be hard conditions under which to work with such an exacting crop.

 

[daniyal]

In most cases the cigars that come out in the market were harvested three years earlier but in my opinion the reason for rushing cigars is the over whelming demand for them globally and the sweet stimulus they provide to an otherwise stagnant economy.

 

[tubaman]

Good things come to those who wait!!

 

[hdroadglide]

i'm one of those that kind of likes the freshness of some cubans. i tried a fresh monte 2 for thanksgiving, and liked it til it got towards the end. pretty strong build up by then. and the next morning i had one of the strongest aftertastes in my mouth i've ever had. guess the rest will go to the bottom of the humi for a little more rest!

 

[CuritibaRex]

In most cases the cigars that come out in the market were harvested three years earlier but in my opinion the reason for rushing cigars is the over whelming demand for them globally and the sweet stimulus they provide to an otherwise stagnant economy.

No doubt that is the case, Daniyal. But there is a strong chance that three years ago there were also 2 or 3 hurricanes visit the island. This constant disruption has to have a dire effect.

This entire communication process has helped me a lot. Feel I now have a better grasp on the concept that in order to get the maximum enjoyment, aging Cubans is a MUST. I can now better understand why I was so disappointed a few years ago, when I just bought and smoked, bought and smoked. It was due to simply fortuitous selections when I DID have a good experience.

 

[gibbleguts]

If you are in a country that has legal Cubans there is a very good chance that your B&M will get aged boxes just at random. Those are the cigars to buy you don't have to wait you can smoke them right away. It is great to get to know the people at your B&M for that reason. Recently the one I work at has gotten cigar from 00 01 02. Nobody ever looks for Sancho Panza`s so we get great boxes of them and a few others. Smaller ring gauges are also easier to get aged.