Cigar Rating Experiment – Part XIII

A bundle of Flor de Oliva Gold Toro cigars have now been aging in a humidor for nine months, along with a bundle of "Brand B" cigars that were added four months ago. These cigars are being taste tested as part of an experiment to determine how aging, in addition to other factors, affect the taste and enjoyment of cigars. The Flor de Oliva cigar was tested this month while sipping on a Bushwacker. Usually, that particular drink can add some enjoyment to the smoking experience, but in this case, the cigar itself did not taste as good as last month. This provides more evidence that cigars in the same bundle to not all taste the same, regardless of a gradual mellowing effect that comes with age.

The bigger surprise this month came while testing a "Brand B" cigar. Instead of improving, or just tasting a little better or worse than last month, the taste of this month's test cigar took a significant dive. Again, more evidence that all cigars in the same bundle are not created equal. However, in this case, it became obvious that some cigars in a bundle can be real dogs, regardless of how long they are aged. We'll discuss the risk of purchasing certain inexpensive cigars by the bundle, as opposed to buying more reputable cigars by the bundle or more expensive cigars by the box, in a future installment.

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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



• Part XII – Aged Eight Months

Bushwacker Recipe:

• 1 oz Dark Creme de Cacao
• 2 oz Kahlua
• 1 oz Rum
• 4 oz Cream of Coconut
• 4 oz Cream (or milk)
• 2 Cups of Ice

Mix in a blender, makes about 4 servings. Pour into a cocktail class, sprinkle nutmeg on top. Enjoy!