Well, I got a Johnny-O sampler this week. I read about how the sticks get sick within 30 to 90 days, then have to rest for six months to a year. I sometimes doubt how good my palate was and thought a sick cigar might have meant that it just didn't taste as good as when fresh. Wrong.
The first out of the batch I smoked was very good. The fresh rolled squeeze was consistent; lit well, burned well, draw was firm but good, tasted solid. Didn't rock me, but still good. But the shag foot I tried around Christmas was about as good as any I've ever smoked.
The second from the batch I smoked was the exact opposite. The light was tricky, it canoed immediately, the draw was tight and the flavor started questionable and turned to vile within an inch or two. Had undertones of dirty socks. Thinking "it can't really be this bad", I put it down for a few minutes, got a drink, came back and clipped off the first half of the stick with a guillotine, thereby creating a rothschild.
Re-lit it, took one very tight draw, got the nasty tast again, and put it down for good. I smoked, I'm ashamed to admit, over 2K worth of cigars since last year. This was,without a doubt, not only the worst I've smoked in the past year, but the worst thing I ever tried to smoke.
So, if you ever wondered "How will you know when a Johnny-O gets sick?", let me tell you, you'll know.
I'm hoping that this was just a dud and that the rest of the sticks in my order aren't all sick. I'll try one or two of the other vitolas, and see. Otherwise, I guess I'll have to put them down until winter or next spring.
It is a bit ironic that when I'm asked what was the best and worst cigar I ever smoked, that I could answer both questions with the same cigar. :laugh:
BTW, Johnny was great to deal with. I'm reporting here, not complaining. Because I did my research here at CP before ordering, I knew going in that one or more sticks in a bundle of fresh rolled might have turned.
The first out of the batch I smoked was very good. The fresh rolled squeeze was consistent; lit well, burned well, draw was firm but good, tasted solid. Didn't rock me, but still good. But the shag foot I tried around Christmas was about as good as any I've ever smoked.
The second from the batch I smoked was the exact opposite. The light was tricky, it canoed immediately, the draw was tight and the flavor started questionable and turned to vile within an inch or two. Had undertones of dirty socks. Thinking "it can't really be this bad", I put it down for a few minutes, got a drink, came back and clipped off the first half of the stick with a guillotine, thereby creating a rothschild.
Re-lit it, took one very tight draw, got the nasty tast again, and put it down for good. I smoked, I'm ashamed to admit, over 2K worth of cigars since last year. This was,without a doubt, not only the worst I've smoked in the past year, but the worst thing I ever tried to smoke.
So, if you ever wondered "How will you know when a Johnny-O gets sick?", let me tell you, you'll know.
I'm hoping that this was just a dud and that the rest of the sticks in my order aren't all sick. I'll try one or two of the other vitolas, and see. Otherwise, I guess I'll have to put them down until winter or next spring.
It is a bit ironic that when I'm asked what was the best and worst cigar I ever smoked, that I could answer both questions with the same cigar. :laugh:
BTW, Johnny was great to deal with. I'm reporting here, not complaining. Because I did my research here at CP before ordering, I knew going in that one or more sticks in a bundle of fresh rolled might have turned.
