They live for current production cigars. They have to focus on growing and processing tobacco for use now. Or they have to figure out the complexity of a blend for a new smoke, or decide on what's the best cigar to sell to the customer who walks into the store.
Why would they worry, or even be interested, in cigars that were produced and sold a few years ago, or even longer? Moreover, many prefer the flavor of young tobacco—a fresh cigar. A friend of mine from London, cigar maven Alex Iapichino his day job is being a lawyer , organized a comparative tasting of a year-old Partagas against the same cigar from the current production.
It was held in a low-ceiling meeting room in the Partagas factory in downtown Havana. In about five minutes, the long, poorly lit room was full of thick smoke from the three dozen or so participants. Hunters has an aged cigar program; the firm adds a second band to a cigar with the year when it was placed in the box.
For example, the aged that we smoked carried a gold sub band that read " Prices are normally five percent more than current release for the same cigars. Many times they grow in flavor and strength. We don't release any of these cigars until they are at least 10 years old…We are simply continuing the English tradition of the great aged cigar. As we puffed away, our eyes were watering from the thick smoke. The others at the small event were also suffering.
I was asked to comment on the cigar in front of everyone after about 25 minutes of smoking. I wasn't very complementary of the I told the small crowd in my bad Spanish that I thought the cigar started out really well with lots of strength and flavor, but it soon turned aggressive, bitter and acidic.
I didn't like the cigar all that much. I gave it a mercy 82 points, unblind. We all were asked to fill out a questionnaire in Spanish describing our impressions of the cigar.
It was the same old thing about combustion, aromas, flavor and strength. But included was an odd question asking for overall impressions and whether the smoker: "Would accept it, if given as a gift. Probably not! It is a subjective process. It really depends on the cigar and on your preferences for taste and strength.
Many cigars will mellow out as they rest, especially stronger cigars. They tend to become more refined and approachable.
Milder cigars can become excessively mild or even bland if stored for too long. Bigger ring gauge cigars often benefit from aging because they are made with more interior tobaccos. A greater range of flavor has the chance to emerge from the many tobaccos in a thicker cigar as it ages. Noticeable differences in taste often occur after a few weeks; and then again after a few months; and definitely after a year or two.
Purchase a box of cigars you know you love. Smoke one right out of the box, then allow the rest to sit in your humidor. Smoke another after each of these durations to see how the flavor evolves. If you like the transitions in taste that take place, aging is providing a benefit. There is a limit to how long you should age cigars too. The best cigars-makers are well aware of it and they tailor the aging component to the tobaccos they are working with for a given blend.
The best cigar-makers also strive to ship their cigars off to the retailer knowing they will deliver optimal flavor if you smoked one right now, or within an acceptable amount of time after purchase. Premium cigars peak just like wine. An acclaimed blend like Padron Family Reserve , for example, is handmade from tobaccos that have already been aged for ten years. Will another ten years make them better or more perfect? Doubtfully, but they will certainly reflect a more singular dimension of taste as time passes.
I tucked away a stash of 20 or 30 cigars from a particular shipment that I deemed superb. Six months to a year is considered to the ideal aging time for lighter cigars.
Because heavier cigars contain a greater variety of tobacco and take longer to marry their flavors, their ideal aging time ranges from years. Cigars with large ring gauges also age better than cigars with small ring gauges.
The additional thickness provides better protection against the adverse effects of heat and humidity, enabling them to stay fresh longer. Aging cigars at home requires some specialized equipment. Cigars are hygroscopic, which means they exchange moisture with their surrounding environment. Either situation is bad. Some collectors find it convenient to leave the cigars in their boxes and store the whole thing in their humidor. Another solution is to take the cigars out, but leave them in their cellophane wrappers.
Only open it to when you need to take out a cigar. Keep a notepad handy to jot down your thoughts on your cigars as you smoke them and label your cigars with the purchase date to help keep track of the aging process. White mold is interspersed with blue or gray splotches.
Aging cigars at home in your humidor is fun, but it takes time, patience, and resources. All cigars have a period of peak performance, when their blend of flavors is just right. What this point is differs from person to person, which is why, when it comes to aging cigars, there is no substitute for experience.
Dual Zone Wine Fridges. Black Stainless Steel Fridges. Additionally, the factory will then store the cigars, ageing them for a further amount of time, before shipping them to retail outlets. This is to ensure that they will be ready to smoke when purchased. Findy Cigars , for example, are aged at least five years before being sold, meaning that they can be enjoyed immediately. The taste is vibrant yet refined, with the flavor components of the cigar having blended over time.
However, you may want to age them further if you appreciate an even more refined flavor. Next time you decide to purchase a cigar, try purchasing a half dozen or so and testing how the flavor profiles changes through aging. Keep in mind that when buying cigars from a retailer, it is important to ensure that they are being kept at an appropriate temperature and humidity so that they are well-maintained. While it isn't a necessity, you will absolutely notice a difference! Older Post Newer Post.
Do cigars taste better if you age them?
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