Smoking A Much Older Cigar

[massphatness]

I hosted a herf this past weekend and lit up a Havana No. 7 which had been gifted to me a while back by a BOTL many of you know: DBall. When he first gave me the stick he told me it was circa 1950's. I knew I had to set it aside and choose just the right moment. And since Dan got hitched this past weekend, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to break out that cigar in his honor.

Having never smoked a cigar with that much age, I went through the whole smoking process as I do with any stick. And while the cigar was very smooth & mellow, it got me to thinking if there might be a better (more proper?) way to enjoy a cigar that has 30, 40 50+ years of age on it.

For instance, the cigar had been wrapped in cello -- I simply (thought carefully) removed it, toasted, lit and smoked. Should I have waited a bit after removing the cello? My first few draws -- God, I almost said puffs -- had a distinct mustiness to them, like I was smoking dry dirt. I almost freaked because I wanted it to be a great experience. Fortunately the stick settled in after about a an inch and smoked great.

Any of the lunatics in the asylum have any thoughts?

Great story! Unfortunately I can't comment as the oldest stick I've smoked has been around 10 years... but what a piece of history to be smoking a 'gar from the 50's. Way to go DBall, a true Lunatic.

Someone knew what they were doing to have a 60 yr old for this long. I really don't know if I could have held out that long without smoking it. At least it turned out good for you!

[Buckeye Jack]

I think you did just fine. The handful of sticks I've smoked that have been from the 50's are all as you described. I have had them right out of the cello and I have had some that didn't have cello on them (atleast when they were given to me they didn't). They have all been a different experience, albeit not always a great cigar.

[wayner123]

I too think you did it correctly. There's not really a method to smoking that old of a cigar. All the ones I have had have been great though.

Ask Al....he's old