Options
Troubleshooting the 601, Green Label, Oscuro by DPG
JonathanE
Posts: 401 ✭
I dont know if this is an accurate generalization for superior cigars but when I pick one up and its dry aroma keeps me smelling it instead of lighting it, I know that something fantastic will happen with the introduction of fire. The 601 Green Label is one of those nose gays with clear notes of spicy tobacco, dried berries and chocolate. Unfortunately, this cigar challenged my generalization as it turned out to be a disappointment.
The first thing I noticed was that the cigar was super dense (hard) and had a tight draw. It proved to burn unevenly, to go out quickly and smoke generation was unimpressive. Hints of the flavors you would expect based on the dry draw were present but the cigar overheated easily creating acidic smoke, ruining both the taste and the smell. I tried smoking more slowly and although the flavor and bouquet improved, it started tunneling badly and required continuous touchups.
I have not made a judgment about this cigar. I rated it as it deserved, a critical 67/100, but I am very sure that there is a lot more to the 601 Green Label than what I experienced during this tasting.
My thought is that with aging and dry boxing I might see a lot of improvement. The decreased RH might open up the draw a bit and allow for cooler combustion. The foot kept up quite a cinder throughout the entire 48 minute burn; I rarely smoke a 5 x 52 in anything less than 55 minutes.
So, that being said do any of you more experienced smokers out there have any ideas as to why I got such marginal performance from what is usually a very highly rated cigar? Here are a few questions I thought of:
1. Does lowered RH improve burn and draw in tight, high density cigars?
2. What causes a cigars wrapper to consistently lag on one side in particular?
3. Is there a solution for a cigar that likes to burn too hot, ruining the flavor?
4. How much improvement do you think I could expect from aging a stick like this?
Overall, I think I detected a lot more quality and complexity in this cigar than what it got credit for in this tasting. Any ideas?
JDE
The first thing I noticed was that the cigar was super dense (hard) and had a tight draw. It proved to burn unevenly, to go out quickly and smoke generation was unimpressive. Hints of the flavors you would expect based on the dry draw were present but the cigar overheated easily creating acidic smoke, ruining both the taste and the smell. I tried smoking more slowly and although the flavor and bouquet improved, it started tunneling badly and required continuous touchups.
I have not made a judgment about this cigar. I rated it as it deserved, a critical 67/100, but I am very sure that there is a lot more to the 601 Green Label than what I experienced during this tasting.
My thought is that with aging and dry boxing I might see a lot of improvement. The decreased RH might open up the draw a bit and allow for cooler combustion. The foot kept up quite a cinder throughout the entire 48 minute burn; I rarely smoke a 5 x 52 in anything less than 55 minutes.
So, that being said do any of you more experienced smokers out there have any ideas as to why I got such marginal performance from what is usually a very highly rated cigar? Here are a few questions I thought of:
1. Does lowered RH improve burn and draw in tight, high density cigars?
2. What causes a cigars wrapper to consistently lag on one side in particular?
3. Is there a solution for a cigar that likes to burn too hot, ruining the flavor?
4. How much improvement do you think I could expect from aging a stick like this?
Overall, I think I detected a lot more quality and complexity in this cigar than what it got credit for in this tasting. Any ideas?
JDE
0
Comments
a cigar that is constructed poorly will not improve with age.
this particular cigar, when constructed correctly, will age very well. it will mellow out and lose a bit of the spice. some of the power will fade and i suspect the coffee flavor will become more obvious.
... cant be sure though, ive never had this particular cigar.
When I was first getting into the cigar hobby, I liked to get a sampler from a particular line or blender inorder to get a feel for what their stuff was all about. Still do in fact. Anyway, I did this with the EO line - picked up 5-stick sampler, and went 2 for 5 on them.
Did NOT care for the 601 Blue, Red or Black mostly due to all the issues you mentioned. Lots of construction issues, constant relights and corrections. On one of them, and if memory serves correctly it was the blue, I literally ran a single-flame torch OUT of fuel during the smoking of the robusto! I decided to go search the reviews thread (instead of being a smart boy and doing so BEFORE I ordered the sampler) and found that these issues have been noticed by more than a few BOTL in the past.
Now then, the GOOD news is that the two I did enjoy (the 601 Green Oscuro and the Cubao) more than made up for the three I didnt. Both were so impressive than I immediately went out and purchased a box of each, and I am happy to report that as of the six month point that aging mellows both of these sticks out and takes the two cigars from great to PHENOMENAL.
Said all that to say this - I would strongly suggest you revisit the 601 Green Oscuro again at some point in the future, perhaps when you get back stateside. Not sure where you are deployed to, but having been in theater myself a time or two I imagine you're fighting humidity one of two ways - ambient RH is either WAY too low or WAY WAY WAY too high depending on where you're at. Also, how long did you let it rest when you received the stick? Either way, give this one another shot when you can.
Tell you what - shoot me a PM when you get back to the states and I will send you a couple as a welcome home gift.
Thanks for the commentary. Very imformative just as I expected. The one I smoked yesterday was six weeks old. It sounds to me like it would be a good idea to start smoking my stock oldest to youngest as age makes everything better and seems to be a prerequisite for some cigars.
Sniper, I am at AUAB and, thanks to my mini fridge, I am able to keep things around 50 °F and RH in the low to upper 60s. I keep a couple of 25 count humidors in there and they are VERY stable at 68% most of the time. Before I smoke I leave the cigar sitting out for several hours inside a herfador to let it warm up gradually. Might this process influence things any?
I will definitely get in touch with you when I head back stateside! I'd love to try a couple of aged Green Labels. Like I said in my review, I really think there's a lot to be had from this cigar it just didn't show its worth on my first go around.
JDE
I will definitely hold a couple back for your triumphant return Jonathan. When do you expect to rotate back stateside?
JDE
I rotate back stateside in October. ...but do I have to wait until then?? Maybe you could send them a couple of weeks before my promotion for celebratory purposes! I intend to declare 4 September as a CCOM Forums holiday!
JDE
JDE
One of my favorites when Im in the mood for heavy thick chewy smoke and deep dark flavors.
The first one I smoked was in my humi for about a month and scored a 67. Sniper's cigar was dated "7/26/10" or right about a year old and scored an 85. My current, average overall score is a 78 so this one is way up there. I very rarely score anything in the 90s.
The difference was absolutely night and day! Here is the comparison:
ROTT
Super dense packing, tight draw
Tended to burn uneven and go out easily
Acidic smoke, tunneling issues
Aged
Easy, open draw, quick light
Developing complexity, smoothness
Burn is perfect, does not overheat
BTW, I didn't read my old review before I smoked Sniper's cigar so I had no idea that I complimented all of the areas that I had criticized it for the first time. Very cool! Now we just have to find out if the blend has changed or not!!
JDE
JDE
JDE