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Last post 5 years ago by Pudding Mittens. 7 replies replies.
Old cigar review: Nica Libre Potencia belicoso
borndead1 Offline
#1 Posted:
Joined: 11-07-2006
Posts: 5,215
Man, I used to smoke the sh*t outta these when they first came out. I smoked so many of them that I burned myself out on them and haven't lit one up in...3 or 4 years? I was playing Tetris in my humidors earlier and opened up a box of odd singles. Lo and Behold, I still have a few of these babies left. I thought I ran out of them a long time ago.

Why did I stop smoking these? Full-flavored, unique spiciness, well-rolled cigar...a total winner.



Are these still good? Since they are an Oliva product, my experience tells me...no, they're not still good.

Pudding Mittens Offline
#2 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
borndead1 wrote:
Are these still good? Since they are an Oliva product, my experience tells me...no, they're not still good.

Why would you think/say this? I've rarely if ever heard much negative about Oliva or their products. Specifically, I've heard nothing about them "dumbing down" their blends' quality over time (like many other manufacturers seem to do).
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KingoftheCove Offline
#3 Posted:
Joined: 10-08-2011
Posts: 7,600
Maybe he means the current Nica Libre versus the old ones he bought years ago??
borndead1 Offline
#4 Posted:
Joined: 11-07-2006
Posts: 5,215
Pudding Mittens wrote:
Why would you think/say this? I've rarely if ever heard much negative about Oliva or their products. Specifically, I've heard nothing about them "dumbing down" their blends' quality over time (like many other manufacturers seem to do).
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Maybe I've just been unlucky, but I've had so many bad experiences with Oliva (poor construction, weird chemical or 'off' flavors, etc.) in the past couple of years that I've written off the name. I recently stopped buying Pepin stuff for the same reason, and AJ is a few bad sticks away from it as well. A box of Enclave that still tasted like ammonia after 1.5 yrs of humi time made me really scale back my purchases of his smokes.
Pudding Mittens Offline
#5 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
borndead1 wrote:
Maybe I've just been unlucky, but I've had so many bad experiences with Oliva (poor construction, weird chemical or 'off' flavors, etc.) in the past couple of years that I've written off the name. I recently stopped buying Pepin stuff for the same reason, and AJ is a few bad sticks away from it as well. A box of Enclave that still tasted like ammonia after 1.5 yrs of humi time made me really scale back my purchases of his smokes.

Very interesting. I haven't experienced this with these brands, nor have I heard anyone else making such complaints.

No offense, but it may be you. Possibilities to consider:

1. Are you getting enough water? Dehydration can play hell with one's palate. You'd be amazed at how much!

2. Any dietary or vitamin/supplement changes awhile back? Again, can affect the palate a lot.

3. Humidity too high in the humidor? Check with a calibrated hygrometer, or a second one, if you haven't already?

4. Try dryboxing the cigars 24-48 hours before smoking them, perhaps?

5. Change toothpastes awhile back? Or maybe your tastebuds have had aging-related changes that are causing your toothpaste to mess with your palate's abilities? Check this out: http://www.botl.org/threads/changing-toothpaste-made-a-huge-difference-in-cigar-flavor.90514/

6. Smoking on days where it's very humid, is raining, or has recently been raining? This means you're drawing very moist air through the entire cigar with every puff, which can easily cause many of the problems you describe.

Just some ideas....
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borndead1 Offline
#6 Posted:
Joined: 11-07-2006
Posts: 5,215
I drink a sh*t ton of water, I've been a healthy eater for most of my adult life, my hgyrometers are calibrated and I keep my humidor between 62-67%, I drybox errrthang and let it sit in the humidor for a week before smoking it (with occasional exceptions)...

I used to smoke a lot of cigars from these cigar makers. It is only in the past few years that I've been noticing the difference, and it's not with all of their lines. I recently smoked one of those new anniversary Diesels and it was really good. I also smoke F_____ Nicaraguan 2000s (Oliva) all the time and they're still fantastic.
Pudding Mittens Offline
#7 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
borndead1 wrote:
I drink a sh*t ton of water, I've been a healthy eater for most of my adult life, my hgyrometers are calibrated and I keep my humidor between 62-67%, I drybox errrthang and let it sit in the humidor for a week before smoking it (with occasional exceptions)...

I used to smoke a lot of cigars from these cigar makers. It is only in the past few years that I've been noticing the difference, and it's not with all of their lines. I recently smoked one of those new anniversary Diesels and it was really good. I also smoke F_____ Nicaraguan 2000s (Oliva) all the time and they're still fantastic.


Okay, so it probably isn't your palate, or your storage.

Very interesting. I have no real answer offhand.
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