NCs that don't age well?

[gomeitsmybday]

Wow great feedback everyone! Especially informative are some of the first hand experience accounts, so thanks to everyone for your input!

@ Ben I also got lucky recently and came across a box of DPG Black Robustos that are from 2013, I'm so tempted to smoke them but trying to hold off a while longer...maybe 2023? Haven't had much luck with the Blue lately, have a 2019 box of Coronas that will definitely need left alone for a while...

I'd also like to mention that I've found that a lot of AJF's stuff seems to benefit immensely even in the short term (as fast as 8-12 months) so I'm really excited to see what a lot of his stuff will be like farther down the road...

[stearns]

Originally Posted by gomeitsmybday

@ Ben I also got lucky recently and came across a box of DPG Black Robustos that are from 2013, I'm so tempted to smoke them but trying to hold off a while longer...maybe 2023? Haven't had much luck with the Blue lately, have a 2019 box of Coronas that will definitely need left alone for a while...

Smoke one now, or else you won't have anything to compare the rest to when you planned to open up the box. If it were me I'd probably buy a fresh one and smoke that back to back (or within a couple days) with the 13's to see the difference, it won't be an exact comparison because tobacco (and possibly blends) could have changed, but it may give a general idea of the change thus far

[Havanaaddict]

NCs that don't age well?

All of them

Sorry I am just a CC Snob
I did smoke NC's for a many years and went through all the high end lines Padron, Opus x, Diamond Crown, Hemingway, Don Carlos ext. I worked PT at a cigar shop and lounge for 10 years. So I have smoked Ashton to Zino and most all in-between (I smoked 4 to 5 cigars a day)

I can't tell you why CC's age better then NCs. But I can tell you I have smoked 1000s of Vintage CCs 20 year old + and 95% have been outstanding.

But I can tell you that NC's after 10 years go flat. (for my palate)

If I had to pick some NC's that may hold up and even get better they would probably be on the stronger side.
Camacho
Don Pepin
Joya De Nicaragua
Drew Estate Liga Privada
Ashton VSG
Tatuaje

[gomeitsmybday]

Originally Posted by stearns

Smoke one now, or else you won't have anything to compare the rest to when you planned to open up the box. If it were me I'd probably buy a fresh one and smoke that back to back (or within a couple days) with the 13's to see the difference, it won't be an exact comparison because tobacco (and possibly blends) could have changed, but it may give a general idea of the change thus far

Good call! Luckily I do have quite a few more recent DPG Blacks to compare them to (a personal fav blend of mine so I try to stay stocked up). Once the weather gets nicer this spring I'll definitely compare them, maybe even write a review if I have the time.

@ Havanaaddict I totally respect that opinion too

I've definitely been venturing in to CCs more as of late, but mostly I'm just stashing those boxes in the bottom of my coolidors so they can get some appropriate age first. That said, even the younger ones I've had to date are quite impressive.

For now, I plan on smoking primarily NCs while my CCs get some rest, at least the ones I don't break down and smoke early anyway haha. I'll be interested to see where my preferences lie 5-10 years down the road though