LP #9 September '09

[bmony]

I pulled out a robusto from a box I bought in '09 and it was spectacular. It wasn't quite as strong as one from a fresh box but it had this inherent sweetness to it. It was a nice changeup and I was quite surprised how differently it tasted.

This weekend I have 6 parejo LP #9's from 2007 and I plan on smoking one this weekend and see what it tastes like.

 

[tedp]

I've had a couple of #9s buried for about a year. I might have to dig one out and check it out!:smokingbo

 

[dowjr1]

Man I just bought a box of LP #9 Toros and they are great. Still haven't tried the T-52.

 

[hdroadglide]

the 08's are better. the 07's are better yet.......................

 

[sofc]

the 08's are better. the 07's are better yet.......................

What he said.

 

[bmony]

the 08's are better. the 07's are better yet.......................

Thanks for the info, I will be digging one out this Saturday while sitting around the fire sipping on some Cabo Wabo Anejo.

 

[Jonathan Drew]

Still like the T 52 better ! LOL
JD

 

[xddco]

Still like the T 52 better ! LOL
JD

True Dat! Except for the Piggy.... the #9 Piggy seems better than the T52 piggy to me.... :yes:

 

[sofc]

True Dat! Except for the Piggy.... the #9 Piggy seems better than the T52 piggy to me.... :yes:

Had'em back to back last week and I think the T52 piggy has caught up. Until then, would've agreed with you completely.

 

[bmony]

Still like the T 52 better ! LOL
JD

They are both great cigars but given a choice #9 for me. I was just pleasantly surprised at the change with age. I will have to age some T52's and see what happens.

When are you going to borrow Pete's Saints and Sinners concept and create a club for Drew Estate fans? JK.

 

[hdroadglide]

for me, i find that i prefer one size in each of the marcas. of what's available, i think the toro size is the standout of the #9's. don't have much love for any of the other sizes. the t 52 dc still trumps all, but i too am curious to see what 3-4 years of age will do to the 52!

 

[Jfire]

for me, i find that i prefer one size in each of the marcas. of what's available, i think the toro size is the standout of the #9's. don't have much love for any of the other sizes. the t 52 dc still trumps all, but i too am curious to see what 3-4 years of age will do to the 52!

That T52 Corona Doble is where it's at! :blob:

 

[ssaka]

And I like the #9 better... <snicker>

In regards to the original comment regarding the difference in the age one smoked by BMony, that mirrors my personal opinion and is the exact reason why we no longer age these by the calendar one full year, but instead smoke from each month's production batches and release the cigars when we feel they are smoking as intended. Sometimes they are perfect in as little as 6 months other times they need 10 months, on average though most are smoking the way I like them between the 6-7 month mark.

My attitude is a consumer who wishes them to be a bit more mellow can age them in their own humidors for however many years they want, but the smoker that likes that bit of spicy bite can not put that back in.

Having had the luxury of smoking 5 year old LP #9s I can say they are amazing in their texture and creaminess, but for me personally I prefer them right about at 9 months - which given aging time, packaging, shipping, retailing is probably exactly when most folks are cracking the boxes they are purchasing.

One important note: Do NOT confuse aging with re-setup time - this is particularly important during the summer months or anyplace that has a hot climate year round. All cigars, and imo LP in particular, MUST be allowed to re-setup before smoking.

Whenever cigars are shipped anywhere in a hot climate they tend to get a bit soft, spongy and the flavor goes flat - it is simply the result of being in an import container from Nica and then again in a UPS box to your retailer and yet again, if you buy them via online/phone. The time spent in this hot climate during transit must be counteracted by allowing the cigars to rest in a relatively cool (under 75 degrees) for at least a week before they will be really ready to smoke.

This problem exists with all heavy leaf cigars, but the issue is more visible in the LP line as we always sell out with a day of receiving every single batch and I suspect many retailers sell out of it very quickly to - so essentially the cigars are not afforded the typical re-setup time they normally be allow just be the normal inventory flow of spending time in our warehouse and on your retailers shelves for few weeks before you the consumer receive the cigars.

So I always recommend letting the cigars rest for at least week off the truck when the weather is hot. A month is even better.

I know nobody does this, I don't either, I always can't wait to try whatever I just received... so at least be cognizant of this issue and do not dispair if that first off the truck cigar ain't right - just give them a week or so and they will be fine.

BR,

STS

 

[dowjr1]

Great advice on re setup time...especially true since we know some of these sticks in transport are sitting on trucks, etc sitting out in the sun. Wnt outside today to find some sticks left by the delivery man. Not sure how long they had been out in the sun like that.

 

[hdroadglide]

so those lp9's that have the s.saka 2007 on the label have reset long enough?????

 

[loki993]

Still like the T 52 better ! LOL
JD

And here I thought I was the only one. I love that chocolatey sweetness from the T52s.

And I like the #9 better... <snicker>

In regards to the original comment regarding the difference in the age one smoked by BMony, that mirrors my personal opinion and is the exact reason why we no longer age these by the calendar one full year, but instead smoke from each month's production batches and release the cigars when we feel they are smoking as intended. Sometimes they are perfect in as little as 6 months other times they need 10 months, on average though most are smoking the way I like them between the 6-7 month mark.

My attitude is a consumer who wishes them to be a bit more mellow can age them in their own humidors for however many years they want, but the smoker that likes that bit of spicy bite can not put that back in.

Having had the luxury of smoking 5 year old LP #9s I can say they are amazing in their texture and creaminess, but for me personally I prefer them right about at 9 months - which given aging time, packaging, shipping, retailing is probably exactly when most folks are cracking the boxes they are purchasing.

One important note: Do NOT confuse aging with re-setup time - this is particularly important during the summer months or anyplace that has a hot climate year round. All cigars, and imo LP in particular, MUST be allowed to re-setup before smoking.

Whenever cigars are shipped anywhere in a hot climate they tend to get a bit soft, spongy and the flavor goes flat - it is simply the result of being in an import container from Nica and then again in a UPS box to your retailer and yet again, if you buy them via online/phone. The time spent in this hot climate during transit must be counteracted by allowing the cigars to rest in a relatively cool (under 75 degrees) for at least a week before they will be really ready to smoke.

This problem exists with all heavy leaf cigars, but the issue is more visible in the LP line as we always sell out with a day of receiving every single batch and I suspect many retailers sell out of it very quickly to - so essentially the cigars are not afforded the typical re-setup time they normally be allow just be the normal inventory flow of spending time in our warehouse and on your retailers shelves for few weeks before you the consumer receive the cigars.

So I always recommend letting the cigars rest for at least week off the truck when the weather is hot. A month is even better.

I know nobody does this, I don't either, I always can't wait to try whatever I just received... so at least be cognizant of this issue and do not dispair if that first off the truck cigar ain't right - just give them a week or so and they will be fine.

BR,

STS

That makes sense, Ive also heard people say that LPs taste best with a bit less humidity then your average cigar too. Most people say somewhere around 58-60RH is best.

Any truth to that? They always taste good to me lol.

I have to let just about everything I get rest for at least a week. Most of the B&Ms around here keep their Humis a bit high at around 70-72 RH or so. Ive found that to not be so good for smoking basically anything, let alone LPs. There are some sticks Ive been impatient with and was dissapointed with a flat taste and/or a bad draw.

 

[ssaka]

And here I thought I was the only one. I love that chocolatey sweetness from the T52s.

That makes sense, Ive also heard people say that LPs taste best with a bit less humidity then your average cigar too. Most people say somewhere around 58-60RH is best.

Any truth to that? They always taste good to me lol.

I have to let just about everything I get rest for at least a week. Most of the B&Ms around here keep their Humis a bit high at around 70-72 RH or so. Ive found that to not be so good for smoking basically anything, let alone LPs. There are some sticks Ive been impatient with and was dissapointed with a flat taste and/or a bad draw.

Yes, in fact all cigars IMO taste better at a slightly lower humidity.

This is particularly truer of heavy blends vs. lighter blends as the heavy leaf stuff retains more moisture longer and will have a greater impact on the burn and combustion temperature.

IMO, the perfect smoking is typically around 66% - 68% RH. I personally am not a fan of being as low as 60%RH, but to each his own.

However, 70-72% RH has become the industry standard for two primary reasons:

1) It is important to ship cigars at a higher humidity to prevent breakage - it is not uncommon for makers to pack cigars at 74% RH for this reason. The increase in transit damages goes up dramatically at 68% RH and escalates significantly with each % point lower.

2) The standard 50/50 PG mix results in a 70% RH environment and this has been the primary means of stabilizing humidors for the last few decades. It was great improvement over the days of cut apples and water-only sponges.

Ultimately - you just need to smoke your cigars and see what you like best and do that - if you like drier go drier, you like wetter go wetter - that is my highly technical expert assessment.. <snicker>

Hope this helps,

Steve Saka
Prez, Drew Estate

 

[BrooksW]

I keep my sticks at a constant 65/65...I find they taste better and burn better (I can usually taste varying amounts of bitterness when the humidity goes above 70%, and the burn suffers as well)....

~brooks

 

[tsimonitis]

Great info Steve. Learn something new here all the time. Have my first LP 9 on deck for the weekend. It was a father's day gift, should be good to go.

Cheers

 

[dowjr1]

Yes great information there especially on the shipping aspect. I have always (15 years now) been a 70% guy and I rarely have burn issues. That said I might drop it down a few to say 68% based on the info here. I just bought a box of the LP 9 Toros and we can't have them not burning properly.