Age - Good, bad or indifferent?

[groundhog]

If you were looking at buying a box of cubans (not cohibas), how important is age?
Is a 2010 box worth a premium over a 2012 or 2014 box?
How do you know?
How does age benefit cigars?
I'm asking, because all of my smokes have been pretty new and I'm wondering if it's worth the extra investment.
And if they are worth a premium, is there a general rule of thumb as to how much?
Or is the factory more important? Or is it a combination?
Help me brothers!

[sheppsea]

This was a recent thread that was a very interesting read, and also contains the most random thread revival you'll ever see

http://www.ukcigarforums.com/showthread.php?1256-Aging-advice&highlight=ageing

[Sean]

As i am only a year and a half into cigars i cant be 100% accurate but the older smokes i have had have been alot better being alot smoother

[Simon G]

i think a year upwards, if i were buying a box. unless i got the space and time to leave em from young

[rascal]

A aged box is worth a premium if it's a good box (plenty of boxes kicking about for a reason) though the ages you mention are not aged and not worth a premium.

[groundhog]

A aged box is worth a premium if it's a good box (plenty of boxes kicking about for a reason) though the ages you mention are not aged and not worth a premium.

So what counts as aged?

Sent from deepest darkest Yorkshire, by magic..

[rascal]

So what counts as aged?

Sent from deepest darkest Yorkshire, by magic..

8-10 year is where I would personally call a cigar aged.

[Habana-Habanos]

8-10 year is where I would personally call a cigar aged.

I would say it's very subjective; for you 8-10 years may be what you call aged but others would suggest half of that would constitute as sufficient to fit into that category. Nevertheless I would say 3+ years is where the age starts making a real difference but with that being said it's a gradual process, so the longer theyre left in good conditions....

[Habana-Habanos]

"Cigars change as they age. Some prefer cigars young and fresh while others appreciate a mellower, more experienced cigar. The amount of time you age your cigars is a matter of personal preference. In general, age them at least a year for optimum effect. Of course, some low-quality cigars won?t see much improvement with aging. However, keep in mind that some cigars after aging will have pleasantly rich flavors. But certain cigars are just naturally better suited for aging. An example is larger ring-gauge cigars. The thicker the cigar, the greater the variety of tobacco leaves and hence, the more complex the final flavor of the aged cigar will be. The insides of larger cigars tend to be somewhat shielded from the outside environment, less apt to be affected by fluctuations in humidity and temperature. This added stability that larger cigars provide is highly desirable for long-term aging. On the other hand, since the wrapper provides the lion's share of a cigar's taste, aging may not significantly affect the taste of some maduros. In particular, maduro-wrapped cigars which are artificially ?cooked? or ?cured? to achieve the dark coloration of the wrapper and the distinctively strong, sweet flavor are prone to this problem. Due to such curing, they have essentially been ?fixed,? and thus any further benefits of aging have been stunted"

In the end the, to answer your question do I age my cigars? It comes down to your personal choice; do you much prefer the taste of an aged puro or would it save you time and money to smoke young. With that being said you can always do a half/half with your collection, keep some boxes for ageing and others to smoke. I have to say I wouldn't be able to list, but there are some cigars that become much better with age, they tend to be harsh, green and bitter straight from the box but then after leaving for just a few months I have noticed they are mellower in a good way just kinder to the palate.

[rascal]

Cigars change as they age. Some prefer cigars young and fresh while others appreciate a mellower, more experienced cigar. The amount of time you age your cigars is a matter of personal preference. In general, age them at least a year for optimum effect. Of course, some low-quality cigars won?t see much improvement with aging. However, keep in mind that some cigars after aging will have pleasantly rich flavors. But certain cigars are just naturally better suited for aging. An example is larger ring-gauge cigars. The thicker the cigar, the greater the variety of tobacco leaves and hence, the more complex the final flavor of the aged cigar will be. The insides of larger cigars tend to be somewhat shielded from the outside environment, less apt to be affected by fluctuations in humidity and temperature. This added stability that larger cigars provide is highly desirable for long-term aging. On the other hand, since the wrapper provides the lion's share of a cigar's taste, aging may not significantly affect the taste of some maduros. In particular, maduro-wrapped cigars which are artificially ?cooked? or ?cured? to achieve the dark coloration of the wrapper and the distinctively strong, sweet flavor are prone to this problem. Due to such curing, they have essentially been ?fixed,? and thus any further benefits of aging have been stunted.

Sorry but that is the biggest load of rubbish I have read in my life. Thicker cigars age better.
Wrapper providing majority of flavour.
Just my opinion but these and nearly every other statement is flawed don't believe what you read everywhere and base things on your own experience.

[tommy]

This was a recent thread that was a very interesting read, and also contains the most random thread revival you'll ever see

http://www.ukcigarforums.com/showthr...ghlight=ageing

Brilliant.

[groundhog]

This was a recent thread that was a very interesting read, and also contains the most random thread revival you'll ever see

http://www.ukcigarforums.com/showthr...ghlight=ageing

Thanks for that!

So here's a question
If you had a choice between a 2012 box or a 2014 box, enough would you go for and why?

[ValeTudoGuy]

This thread makes me want to smoke a set of same sticks (differing in age) on the same day to test it out.
Perhaps 1 year, 3-5 years and 10 years? But then I suppose you have to consider the fact that blends may have changed.

[TJCoro]

And the beat goes on....

Sorry but that is the biggest load of rubbish I have read in my life. Thicker cigars age better.
Wrapper providing majority of flavour.
Just my opinion but these and nearly every other statement is flawed don't believe what you read everywhere and base things on your own experience.

Down in front, por favor....


Jay, Ray Jay

[Smallclub]

Sorry but that is the biggest load of rubbish I have read in my life.

Agreed, it's even impressive! There is a truth-cons in each sentence!

I'd be curious to know where this text comes from?