Ageing and Enjoyment

[Dylan]

Would I be correct in thinking most or all cigars get better with age?

Is it that different cigars require different lengths of time to reach the height of quality for smoking?

As a newbie who has only just purchased a humidor, the cigars I have bought in singles from either a local tobacconist or a couple of walk in humidors, I'm guessing will be fairly new. Is it better to start collecting and laying down cigars for a set period of time so you get a better smoke?

[PeeJay]

Would I be correct in thinking most or all cigars get better with age?

Is it that different cigars require different lengths of time to reach the height of quality for smoking?

As a newbie who has only just purchased a humidor, the cigars I have bought in singles from either a local tobacconist or a couple of walk in humidors, I'm guessing will be fairly new. Is it better to start collecting and laying down cigars for a set period of time so you get a better smoke?

Yep x3

You can also buy aged cigars to smoke now whilst the new ones aged

[Dylan]

Yep x3

You can also buy aged cigars to smoke now whilst the new ones aged

Where is the best source for aged cigars. Do all suppliers keep them but you have to request them?



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[PeeJay]

Where is the best source for aged cigars. Do all suppliers keep them but you have to request them?

Most UK sellers will have them but will charge a premium for aging. If you can get to Spain you'll find them there in good shops with no premium. Next holiday?

[TJCoro]

Old Man Seegar....That Old Man Seegar!

Would I be correct in thinking most or all cigars get better with age?

Hi Dylan!

I learned from reading don TJ's field notes that he avoided cigars that were less than 1 year old. Reason being that soon after a cigar is rolled, it enters the so-called "sick period" which is to say it begins to ferment and omit amonia. Studies have shown that after one year most of the amonia taste is gone, making it a decent smoke.

Now, some rubes....errr, I mean, folks around these parts may differ with me on the 1-year time-frame - some say less, some say more - but ol' don TJ seemed to like the one-year rule.

From my limited experience with cigars, I have found, in general, that the older the cigar the better.

But hey....that's just me.

Ricky Bobby

[tippexx]

Would I be correct in thinking most or all cigars get better with age?

In a perfect World Dylan the answer would be yes, but as we all know nothing is perfect. Most cigars (CC and NC) will lighten off with age i.e loose their nicotine crudity. NC taste doesn't change much, if at all with age, but they do soften a bit, so I guess you can count that as an improvement.

CC can go through mumerous changes, in flavour, strength and mellownes. In some vitola changes are expected and predictable. The problem with prediction is it can sometimes go wrong and a cigar does not always live up to it's legend. But as you appear to be buying singles I would suggest for you that smoking to enjoy and sample rather than ageing is the better course. Ageing doesn't happen overnight, it's a discipline of years, decades sometimes, and even then can often disappoint.

The Golden Rule. You can't tell much about anything in a cigar until you have it lit and in your mouth.

[smokey joe]

Ageing and Enjoyment

Hi Dylan, as already said a years rest is a great way to minimise the chance of a bad experience.

it's not an exact science but generally larger cigars are blended to provide a progression in flavour over time, so for example if you buy a cabinet of 50 and smoke a few a year you'll hopefully enjoy that evolution. cigars will have a point where they peak, a sweet spot after which they will not improve further. The flavour may and will eventually begin to deteriorate to a point where they are not worth smoking.

You can ask the vendor for the box codes of singles when buying & know if they have any age on.

[Startedat43]

Great advice, that's what I love about this forum. On similar lines to Dylan's question, is there such a thing as being able to tell just by looking at/smelling/feeling a cigar that it has aged or not?

[Niela]

NC taste doesn't change much, if at all with age, but they do soften a bit

Why would NC tobacco react differently to CC? Biology and chemistry shouldn't change from country to country.

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[PeeJay]

Why would NC tobacco react differently to CC? Biology and chemistry shouldn't change from country to country.

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Its a matter of opinion, most NCs are rolled with tobacco that has already been aged so they can be smoked straight out of the box. I do agree with Tippexx that they soften in flavour.

[jjgreenwood]

So if I wanted to buy and smoke a cigar todat would an nc be a better buy than a cc?

[PeeJay]

So if I wanted to buy and smoke a cigar todat would an nc be a better buy than a cc?

The answer to that would be an opinion not a fact

[Emaresee]

So if I wanted to buy and smoke a cigar todat would an nc be a better buy than a cc?

Better/ different/ subjective. If you are simply after the taste of aged cigars then poss an NC over a CC. BUT if you go to a decent cigar store and go off the beaten track to less popular vitolas then there is every chance you might find a CC with some age on it.

Outside of that... as [MENTION=13402615]PeeJay[/MENTION] said, its all opinion..

[Simon Bolivar]

Somehow I seem to have missed this thread but as usual Tippex & John have already given good advice. For my two pennyworth, I really wouldn't worry about it as a beginner. Just build up your experience of smoking different brands & vitolas & you'll get a taste of what you enjoy. Then compare that flav with one that's got 3-5yrs on it. That will show you the difference between fresh & aged for that brand.
Better? Well many of us think so but unless you have the resources & space to buy & store say, say 6-12 boxes & have a steady supply of singles to smoke whilst your boxes are aging; it's probably best to spend a little extra occasionally to treat yourself for birthdays/anniversaries with one that's already aged.

[akyprianou]

If your looking to buy some aged sticks Cgars has a good selection of sticks to buy online, also if your able to head into JJ Fox London they have an amazing inventory of aged cigars........i bought some lovely Montecristo No.1s from 1993 which are incredible! i forgot to post an update on the 'New in the Humidor' thread

Aged cigars can be incredible but a little upsetting at times also.........the cigars you choose to age are important, as not all cigars are great for aging and dont progress in time.