I notice the color variation a lot on Cubaos as well not the maduros but the regular ones. I always try to pick the darkest ones. Ive never had a bad decade but I havent gotten to smoke as many as I wish I could. They are so good. Only complaint is they can get a little boring in the 2nd half as the flavor doesnt change much at least for me. They are one of my favorite cigars though. Cubao is probably better though for me.