Your cooler setup sounds fine. It may just be the smokes dont suit your current tastes. Keep trying different sticks. Pay particular attention to the type of wrappers you choose. Maduros will have a bit more sweetness. Padron x000 maduros are a good decently priced stick. Try to avoid smoking sticks fresh off the truck, give them a few weeks to acclimate.
If you can make it up to Napa on the 24th we are having a herf and I am sure we can hook you up with a few smokes to try.
