Just pondering

[Tennessee Dave]

It's been a cold, freezing rain day here in Eastern Tennessee. Too damn cold to smoke on the porch for sure. I got to thinking about the "sickness" that I have read and heard expressed that CC's go through. What is unique about CC's that they go through a sick period and I hear very little or any discussion about sickness with NC's. Now I always wait at least 4 to 6 weeks after I purchase cigars before I smoke them mainly so that I know exactly what the humidity level is at and give them a bit of time to acclimate to my humidor's condition. I understand that the sick period for a CC can last as long as a year after they are boxed. Haven't heard this with NC's. Wonder why? Just pondering.

 

[UTvols186]

I'm not sure about this either. Yes this weather here in East Tennessee has been horrible today and the roads are going to be straight ice tomorrow.

 

[BMack]

Previously CCs shipped really young, while often NCs are rolled then left to ferment for a while then released. It has been rumored(possibly confirmed) that recently they've(Habanos) been resting the cigars after rolling which is why some claim that the current production is smoking well young.

 

[TiminBC]

I agree with the above post. I also feel NC are fermented to be near peak when bought. But then what do I know

 

[Chris Wilkes]

Is it possible they are already increasing production in anticipation of the embargo being lifted? If so, they would have the ability to rest them more before putting them on the market.

 

[ZippoGeek]

I've only smoked a few CCs in my day, and I'm no horticulturalist, but I do wonder if the "sick period" is either:

A. The direct result of unique Cuban soil properties, or
B. A well-engineered load of crap designed to sell more cigars.

With all due respect to @Tennessee Dave, I'm leaning towards "B." Whenever there's no verifiable, consistent scientific evidence behind a theory...follow the money.

YMMV.

 

[Jfire]

With all due respect at Zippo there are plenty of well written books on the processes of aging non cubans before rolling and also the process of how Habanos rolls there havanas as early as 180 days after initial fermentation. Most Nc manufactures roll there cigars with tobacco that generally is in the area of 2-4 years of aging in Pilones after the initial fermentation stage is complete. I'll post some references here in just a few seconds.
Also this has all been discussed on this board many times. Throwing some bs comment out like that is kind of disheartening to me at least.

 

[Tennessee Dave]

@jolietilfire I posted this a couple of weeks after I joined. I wasn't as familiar with how to search the site so that is why I failed to find the posts. I have no doubt that there truly is something to the sickness that Cuban cigars exhibit as I have read too many comments from brothers who smoke a lot them that they need some time. It makes perfect since to me that early rolling would be the most likely cause. Looking forward to your links to references. I am pretty new to CC's and want to learn as much as I can. Thanks for your response.

 

[Jfire]

@jolietilfire I posted this a couple of weeks after I joined. I wasn't as familiar with how to search the site so that is why I failed to find the posts. I have no doubt that there truly is something to the sickness that Cuban cigars exhibit as I have read too many comments from brothers who smoke a lot them that they need some time. It makes perfect since to me that early rolling would be the most likely cause. Looking forward to your links to references. I am pretty new to CC's and want to learn as much as I can. Thanks for your response.

I'll bring 2 of the most well written books on the subject to the Herf in April. As long as they get back to me in a timely matter and in the same condition ( both collectors pieces.) they are all yours for a few months.

 

[smokemifugotem]

What jfire says is true...one thing you have to remember about most cubans is that they are government run and really only care about getting it grown, cut, rolled and shipped for payment. dont get me wrong...there are still some amazing cuban cigars...but they due tend to have more time and consideration put into purchasing from years to box codes. but when you get it right...some great tobacco to be had. But when wrong..:whole lot of plug or ammonia

 

[ZippoGeek]

Throwing some bs comment out like that is kind of disheartening to me at least.

Hey now, I'm not worth it to be disheartened over. I *did* qualify my statement by saying I knew little on the subject. I'm just trying to say, "I'm skeptical about this" (and by nature, I'm a skeptic). I've searched before for hard science on CC "sickness" and have come up with nothing.

 

[Jfire]

Hey now, I'm not worth it to be disheartened over. I *did* qualify my statement by saying I knew little on the subject. I'm just trying to say, "I'm skeptical about this" (and by nature, I'm a skeptic). I've searched before for hard science on CC "sickness" and have come up with nothing.

I get YA. But your not the first to take a knee jerk reaction to offer up these statements. (I'm not the first to follow up with a knee jerk response as well) imo you won't find science behind tobacco available. (Peer reviewed thesis included)
But you can find information posted by some of the top farmers, cigar makers, land owners even agronomists that have been involved in these countries and industries for decades if you read the literature out there generally in book form.