I bought two boxes when they were first released, both Grand Consuls, because that's the only size I could obtain. When I opened the first box, my nose said, "delicious." I hadn't had such a wonderful fragrance come from anything other than a box of aged Habanos. The first stick was a semi-surprise. I expected power, but because these were a little damp, they seemed a bit harsh. I let them rest for a month, dry boxed a couple days, and tried again. Definite progress! By three months they were outstanding, but, frankly, still a little too strong for my personal taste.
On New Year's Eve, I brought the remainder of the first box to a party to share with friends. Everyone seemed to really like them, though one fellow looked like he'd turn green halfway through his stick. One of the guests, visiting from Canada, said he'd never had a Nicaraguan cigar. A two cigar per week smoker, he said he always bought Cubans. He validated my own opinion that while these are full bodied cigars and a pleasure to smoke, they don't really taste much like Cubans. My second box, less one stick, is at rest for another few months, then I'll try again.
