Which NCs age well?

[chenvt]

I was reading a review on another forum of the Padron Millenium which is a highly sought after, very rare cigar... Then you read that an Opus needs 5 years.. So certain brands age well? Tats may be too soon to tell about their aging, but what about AVO, Davidoff, etc?

[cbsmokin]

I'm not sure about what NC do age well, but I know that Padron Anni's do NOT age well. Time makes them terrible.

[JJG]

a lot of NCs, specifically the higher quality (expensive) smokes already contain aged tobacco. that doesn't mean they won't continue to improve, its just that they are made to be smoked without additional age.

The only cigars I hear of people aging quite often are Opus. If you were to pick something for long term aging, I would get something complex and bold that's not going to lose to much strength over time. If you start with a mediocre box, you will likely be disappointed.

[Giant & 49er Fan]

Originally Posted by JJG

a lot of NCs, specifically the higher quality (expensive) smokes already contain aged tobacco. that doesn't mean they won't continue to improve, its just that they are made to be smoked without additional age.

The only cigars I hear of people aging quite often are Opus. If you were to pick something for long term aging, I would get something complex and bold that's not going to lose to much strength over time. If you start with a mediocre box, you will likely be disappointed.

Agreed! Opus must be aged. They are very green when they come out. SOUR! is the word that describes them

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by cbsmokin

I'm not sure about what NC do age well, but I know that Padron Anni's do NOT age well. Time makes them terrible.

Here is where subjective taste comes into play. I think the Padrons age wonderfully. I recently had a 6 year old '64 and it was sublime. Freaking fantastic. I rarely will smoke a Padron anymore without a few years on them. Also Pepins age very well, including Tats. They become much more complex and rounded without all the power. I've also got some old Torano Black and Silver 59's that are off the hook good, to me.

It's best not to take anyone's advice on the issue, imo. It's something you can only tell for yourself.

[Mr. Ed]

Originally Posted by NCRadioMan

Here is where subjective taste comes into play. I think the Padrons age wonderfully. I recently had a 6 year old '64 and it was sublime. Freaking fantastic. I rarely will smoke a Padron anymore without a few years on them. Also Pepins age very well, including Tats. They become much more complex and rounded without all the power. I've also got some old Torano Black and Silver 59's that are off the hook good, to me.

It's best not to take anyone's advice on the issue, imo. It's something you can only tell for yourself.

Greg makes a good point.

The only way I think you'll be able to tell is if you buy a few boxes, smoke a few fresh and write down a review, set them to age 5 to 6 years and then come back to them and compare notes. Otherwise it's just a crapshoot guessing what can and can't age and how you'll enjoy an aged cigar versus a fresh one.

If one were to make any attempt to find objective information from this anecdotal collection of subjective opinions, I would think it would be this:

Its hit or miss. It depends on the specific cigar you are talking about, the specific smoker, and (though it hasn't been mentioned yet) the specific aging environment (this might be why powerhouse cigars age better while milder ones lose their appeal). Further, I would doubt that anyone here could actually describe with factual confidence what is truly occuring during the aging process. So, all the variables are either very instance-specific or are unknowable.

Not to put anyone down, but if you are asking the question about aging, chances are you may not have been "around long enough" to be able to have developed your own subjective opinions about the specific elements (your taste, the cigars, the environment). Further, "your taste" may change over time, as will the cigars you have in the humi, as will the state of your humi. Gathering other people's opinions will give you a basis on which to build your own opinion. But, the moment you have your own opinion, I would discard everyone elses.

With that in mind I would propose a position at which to start, allowing you to best move forward and facilitate finding your own "sweet spot":

Rest your cigars, don't age them. Six to nine months should do.
Keep notes on how well the cigars faired.
Allow your cigars to only age by accident.
Appreciate those mistakenly aged cigars and allow your opinions about aged cigars to come from there.

Anyone back me up on this???

Cheers

John

Originally Posted by Cyanide

Rest your cigars, don't age them. Six to nine months should do.
Keep notes on how well the cigars faired.
Allow your cigars to only age by accident.
Appreciate those mistakenly aged cigars and allow your opinions about aged cigars to come from there.

Anyone back me up on this???

Add aged gifted cigars and this is how it usually works for me anyway.

[kydsid]

I always thought the rule of thumb was that time might make a cigar better but it wouldn't make it worse. Is this not true?

[chippewastud79]

I tend to think that NC cigars become worse with too much age, most of the "aged" NC's I have had can taste muted and bland

[shilala]

Originally Posted by kydsid

I always thought the rule of thumb was that time might make a cigar better but it wouldn't make it worse. Is this not true?

Yes, this is not true.
It's also subjective. Especially with premium nc's that are rolled from aged tobacco. If you want a smoke to get milder, so that it suits your personal preference more, then let it set.
With cc's, the tobacco is fresh and needs time for tannins to break down, so they aren't so bitter. Then things go from there. It's a whole different ball game.
Lots of guys enjoy cigars that are so mild it's like sucking air. I don't.
I try to give my nc's a few months to a year to settle down and get to the potential that I've chosen to suit what I like.
I've picked up nc's that were unsmaokable, then after 8 months they were stellar. Four or five months later, they'd passed their "peak", and weren't nearly as flavorful or enjoyable. I call it "hitting their window".
That "window" is what I like, personally. Nine out of ten other guys might like them better after I've already decided I don't want to smoke any more.
That said, I've smoked ciagsr that were up to 100 years old. Some were really good, and some really sucked. Without being able to smoke a 50 year old cigar 50 years ago, and try another now, I can't guage whether they "got better".
But once again, what I like and what everyone else likes may be two totally different things.
I think to summarize, I age smokes to make them suit what I like. Some I smoke rott until they're gone. I've also watched lots of very delicious nc's get very mild in a very short period of time. For me, that's very bad.

[Starscream]

Originally Posted by shilala

Yes, this is not true.
It's also subjective. Especially with premium nc's that are rolled from aged tobacco. If you want a smoke to get milder, so that it suits your personal preference more, then let it set.

[chenvt]

time to dump those boxes of AVO and Tats huh? lol

[TripleF]

Recently I've smoked a few Oliva cloth bands that are obviously older and frankly they were pretty bland. I don't have enough sticks to store that long anyhow, but age doesn't seem to help NC's IMHO.

[rudeJARHEAD]

Last week I smoked an Indian Tabac tomahawk maduro that I had had in the bottom of my Humi for a few years and when I put them in there it was ok. After a few years it was very smooth and complex with a hint of sweetness. Another that I have had good experience aging is Sanch Panza and St Luis Rey

I think that the original Oliva Master Blends have aged wonderfully....it is a stunning smoke now, in my opinion!

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by SkinsFanLarry

I think that the original Oliva Master Blends have aged wonderfully....it is a stunning smoke now, in my opinion!

Oh yeah, forgot about those. They are awesome! Also the LA Cien Anos have aged great too!

[wrench turner 85]

I agre with NC Radio man. Also Punchs are very good with age. A frend gave me an punch EMS roschild with a year on it And I'd smoked it after work ond day and WOW. IDK that age can do that to a cigar cus for years my humi was the walk in at my B&M. also any nick pruros should age out very well.

[bigloo]

I think there is a lot of hit and miss. I smoked a VSG with 2 years on it which was just brilliant. Also recently I smoked a Graycliff Original with 18 months which was also amazing. I have a whole bunch of higher end sticks (Anejo, Opus, Ashtons) approaching the 18 month mark and everytime I pull one to smoke they come through a big way. Pepper is my least favorite cigar taste and I find it is the first to go with age so I kinda like leaving NC to age, but as many stated here, it come down to personal taste.

[Bax]

Originally Posted by bigloo

I think there is a lot of hit and miss. I smoked a VSG with 2 years on it which was just brilliant. Also recently I smoked a Graycliff Original with 18 months which was also amazing. I have a whole bunch of higher end sticks (Anejo, Opus, Ashtons) approaching the 18 month mark and everytime I pull one to smoke they come through a big way. Pepper is my least favorite cigar taste and I find it is the first to go with age so I kinda like leaving NC to age, but as many stated here, it come down to personal taste.

Couldn't have said it better!