So I justed smoked a t52 that set for about 6 months. I thought that the spice mellowed and it was complex and better than fresh. I also have no. 9s with the same age. They seem to have lost the punch in a less attractive way. What are your opinions on how they age? I am interested to hear the thoughts from those of you that have smoked them with years on them.
To Age Ligas or Not?
- Thread starter Dustinspo
- Start date
njstone
BoM January 2010
I like them better aged, personally. The T52 improves, but the #9 REALLY improves after about 18-months (sweeter). The Dirty Rat improves as well, imvho, I have some from the OR still and they're awesome!
Total agreement, T52's aged and No.9's fresh or with just a couple months (when I can't find 52's lol)
I seem to be in agreement with a few of you. The LP9 is one of my favorite NCs but after a while they get rather...just not good...I haven't smoked one in a while because I'm waiting for them to recover. T52s need a little rest, in my opinion.
I don't smoke many t52s and all the ones I do are relatively fresh. That being said I enjoy them fresh well enough but I do smoke lots of 9s and I definitely prefer them fresh. I think they lose their punch and don't gain any complexities, not bad aged but I definitely like the punch they pack when fresh. Just my .02cents
Might as well alienate this forum as well. The "aging" of non-Cuban cigars is a bunch of WHOOEY!! I believe it was Padron who said "who wants to buy a cigar today and wait 10 years to smoke it?" Opus is an exception. That being said : 6 months is resting, not aging. I believe both are ready to smoke ROTT and extended resting has a tendency to make them lose that POP. They are still good, but they just seem to mellow and lose that wonderful flavor.
Craig Mac
BoM 4/10 7/11 12/14
I think most people that like Nicaraguan cigars like that big pepper blast they find in them. And aging tends to take that away. Padron is unique in the fact that they aged the tobacco for years with the Anniversary cigars then roll the cigars with no additional aging needed. So an Anniversary Padron is usually best fresh out of the box, where the traditional line can benefit with some age.
Personally, I like the pepper blast to settle a bit with the full bodied Nicaraguan cigars, so I like to give them some downtime. I love some Tatuaje Cazadores around the 3 year mark, but my problem is the box rarely makes it 6 months.
It all comes down to personal preference anyway. If you want a full bodied Nicaraguan cigar at it's strongest, most peppery and full of nicotine, smoke em fresh. If you prefer it a little more toned down and want to enjoy the subtleties the cigar has to offer, then give it a year or two.
Personally, I like the pepper blast to settle a bit with the full bodied Nicaraguan cigars, so I like to give them some downtime. I love some Tatuaje Cazadores around the 3 year mark, but my problem is the box rarely makes it 6 months.
It all comes down to personal preference anyway. If you want a full bodied Nicaraguan cigar at it's strongest, most peppery and full of nicotine, smoke em fresh. If you prefer it a little more toned down and want to enjoy the subtleties the cigar has to offer, then give it a year or two.
I am slowly making my way through a box of 9's and T52s so I can see what I prefer. This really is the only way you will figure out if you like them aged or rested or fresh. I have had one aged Dirty Rat and didn't like it, fresher ones were SOOO much better, BUT I acquired the aged dirty rat so I do not know what the last person put the cigar through; I am resting/aging a few of my own to try another aged one before I make up my mind on aged DRs.
thejavaman
BoM December 2012
Totally agree. I don't think you can state it much better than that.
I have a couple boxes around a year old 2 or 3 #9's and 1 T52 box. I havent opened the T52 yet, but I have opened one of the 9's with a year plus now on it.
While I do like both ROTT, I found with the 9's they are just as complex the pepper does die down but the sweeat flavors come out more. They kind of remind me of a drac with the cocoa flavors they go great with a nice stout.
Although they are tough to get boxes of, having some to rest/age and some ROTT gives you a nice mix. If you smoke the same flavors every day at somepoint you will want a change.
While I do like both ROTT, I found with the 9's they are just as complex the pepper does die down but the sweeat flavors come out more. They kind of remind me of a drac with the cocoa flavors they go great with a nice stout.
Although they are tough to get boxes of, having some to rest/age and some ROTT gives you a nice mix. If you smoke the same flavors every day at somepoint you will want a change.
This is really a matter of personal taste as you can see be the variety of answers.
In my case, I tend to prefer the No. 9s in their first year best and T52s when they have been allowed to age. I like the FFPs, UF-13, Papas Fritas, Ratzilla and the Dirty Rats on the younger side too. As for the Velvet Rats, I like them with extra age. So I am all over the map...
All that being said, I suggest you experiment and come to your conclusion. This is true of all cigars.
BR,
STS
In my case, I tend to prefer the No. 9s in their first year best and T52s when they have been allowed to age. I like the FFPs, UF-13, Papas Fritas, Ratzilla and the Dirty Rats on the younger side too. As for the Velvet Rats, I like them with extra age. So I am all over the map...
All that being said, I suggest you experiment and come to your conclusion. This is true of all cigars.
BR,
STS
hdroadglide
BoM x 2, BoY 2011
For sure it's personal taste. I've got a cab of or 9's that are tremendous. It's kind of apples and oranges. Sometimes I want the fresh kick. Sometimes the more mellow flavors. In short, I like them all!
