Review Notes: I tend to agree with not loving this stick right outta the box. It aint bad but is never near its potential. Which is why starting in 1996 I began rotating 2-3 boxes to where the one I am smoking out of is generally about 3 years aged up. The box I am in the middle of now is from May 2005 and is magnificant, as were its predecessors. I invariably try one or two out of each new box with the same experience; not much depth/complexity, just spice. Sit on these a couple years and they turn into a sublime and complex finger burning masterpiece every single time. Something that these share with the Don Carlos is the box. They both benefit from being naked in the origianl box for an extended time as the aromas in the wood greatly enhance both these blends. As with so many cigars if you do not like them now sit on 'em. It has taken me several years to learn which cigars are worthy of aging and which ones are not; with more than a couple surprises in the mix both good and bad. For me this is what make the cigar experience more hobby and less habit. Picking up where the maker of a fine med-full bodied ciagr left off is very cool and worth the time and patience in the end.