After smoking a number of the the regulars and the seconds, I have to say that they are not the same cigar. The seconds are harsher, have more burn problems, the ash falls easier, and they look and taste different. For the price, the seconds aren't a bad cigar, but I wouldn't say they nearly equal the originals.

For the now somewhat exorbitant price of RP vintage cigars, I'm afraid I won't be smoking them often.