Quote Originally Posted by Island Epicurean
I usually try to smoke it all the way through. I have been surprised by the startiling change in flavors as you burn through a high-price cigar, so I usually hold on as long as possible. (Unless the cigar is absolutely terrible.)

I agree wholeheartedly... I just fired up a JOYA DE NICARAGUA ANTAÑO 1970 a few weeks ago. At first I was VERY unimpressed, and was getting ready to toss it. I hung in there because a lot of people were raving about it. About 1/3 to 1/2 down it started picking up for me - and then I couldn't put it down. Turned out to be a nice smoke.

The Flor de Allones did the same thing to me. It was BRUTAL (I thought) at the very beginning. WAY too spicy at the very beginning. It was like smoking a Jalapeno, to me. But after about 1/3 of the way, it turned into a very nice smoke. Very complex, pleasant and nice flavors - it lost the heavy "pepperiness"...