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Expert: James Yee - 10/31/2009


Question
I was given some esplendidos are were date aug 08 and I left them in the humidor 70-71 humidity for 6 weeks.  I decided to smoke one the other day and found the cigar has favor of grassy and manure like. The wrapper is very salty.  I know these cigars are legit....but reading great reviews about them....very disappointed iwth my experienced with them.  Please help

Answer
Hi Charles,

It's hard to explain why your cigars taste the way they do.  I would let your cigars age a bit longer, at least 4-6 months (but preferably longer), and this may allow the cigars to develop a richer flavour.  Your humidor conditions are perfect so there's really nothing you can do but let them age longer.  If you purchased these cigars, you may want to contact the retailer and ask what their return or replacement policy is.

Hopes this helps.  If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James

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James Yee

Expertise

My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".

Experience

I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.

Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)


Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto

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