Cigar Rating Experiment – Part XII

A bundle of Flor de Oliva Gold Toro cigars have now been aging in a humidor for eight months, along with a bundle of "Brand B" cigars that were added three months ago. These cigars are periodically being taste tested as an experiment to determine how aging, as well as other factors, affect the taste and enjoyment of cigars. This month, the Flor de Oliva cigar was tested while drinking Scotch Whiskey. Although the test cigar tasted better than last month, after 12 tests I can say that some cigars in the bundle just simply taste better than others, regardless of the accompanying drink or what food I consumed for dinner. While it is true that some beverages compliment the taste of a cigar better than others, all cigars in the same bundle (or box) are not always the same, and there are inconsistencies in their flavor. In general, most cigars improve greatly by aging them for at least two or three months, and then they begin to gradually mellow with further aging. A similar pattern is now developing with "Brand B" after three months. During the next couple of months, the tests will be completed, and the cigars will finally be rated.

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^{Illustration: 2007 © Gary Manelski Licensed to About.com, Inc.}

Here are the results of previous taste tests,

• Part I – Right Out of the Package (no aging)



• Part II – Aged One Week



• Part III – Aged Two Weeks



• Part IV – Aged Three Weeks



• Part V – Aged Four Weeks



• Part VI – Aged Two Months



• Part VII – Aged Three Months



• Part VIII – Aged Four Months



• Part IX – Aged Five Months



• Part X – Aged Six Months



• Part XI – Aged Seven Months