Ok im looking at all these old CC that are showing up and it made me wonder if a tobacco can be so old it has no flavor left? Im saying in perfect conditions too, never died out didn't get too hot, no beetles. Thanks for the knowledge guys.
Can a cigar be too old?
- Thread starter UtahRootBeer
- Start date
javajunkie
BoM July '12
it's a lot like wine: not all bottles cellar well, and none for exactly the same time period. they won't be BAD, per se, just thinner and vaguer, a pale shadow of former glory. part of developing a palate is picking apart favors. another part of it is seeing the similarities with other cigars, and knowing the markers of what makes a cigar have the legs for down time. vigorous oils and strength over a depth of flavor are some indicators i use, but mostly i just troll for more informed opinions. o)
what's too old? depends on the cigar. that is why people who lay down stuf for years and decades will "revisit" from time to time.
what's too old? depends on the cigar. that is why people who lay down stuf for years and decades will "revisit" from time to time.
The oldest I have had were 18 year old Montecristo #1s. They didn't have the boldness of the flavor they had when mature (I thought they were great at 5 years), but the flavors were still there if the distinctiveness was a bit muted. They were however even smoother and I might say a bit richer, the flavors had melded to make an even better whole.
Jfire
BoM 9/9' 9/11' 8/12'
I have had 20 Y.O. MACHINE MADES that would of put just about any current cigar on the market including other CCs to bed. A friend and I actually ROLLED UP the windows in my car while we were in route to our destination. RYJ Mille fluers from 1998. The most floral/incense cigar I have ever smelled. As far as CCs go many brands will go 2 decades or longer before the main decline really sets in (with optimal storage conditions).
icehog3
Outlaw Hockey Biker
Agreed, and as you said, some even longer than 2 decades. 40 year old Punch Petite Punch from the 70s have so much power still it will make your head spin (in a great way), and 40 year old RyJ coronas and PCs have such a complex rich flavor, I can't imagine they aren't stiil improving as we speak.
Agentskull
BoM Feb 14
Didn't we have a review of a 601 year old cigar back in April. Lol. Sorry could help but insert this here. 
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Cigary43
Just Another Ashhole
Not every cigar can be aged and there are reviews of those that will stand the test of time. I've read from the experts which cigars those are and it's something that you want to do when you are young enough to be able to sit on them that long...I can't because of my age. I've told my son to put boxes away and sit on those for about 10 to 20 years of which he's doing and he's got a few that are already 5 years old and maybe if I live long enough I can share a few when they hit 10 years old. There are sites that sell aged and LE cigars but as we all know they are sold at premium prices. The ones that I've had are amazing....it's just another step up the ladder of regular premium cigars...only much better.
SurpriseMVP
Mike
I've smoked very few old cigars. Standouts would be a ultra smooth early 80's Monte Especial. 92 Punch RS 12 (before the blend change) it was strong as hell and had legs to go for many more years.
I've smoked a few old cigars, the oldest being a 1932 Clear Havana (don't remember the manufacturer) which was grassy and pretty flat. I've also smoked a 1960's H. Uppman, a 1945 Don Arco and a 1970's Davidoff...all of which were phenominal. Some cigars age well, some don't.
danthebugman
BoM Nov '10
Is Kate Upton too hot? :squinteye
Okay seriously now...depends on the cigar and the time frame, but they undoubtedly change over time. Whether or not that means they get better or don't really improve at all is a little up to the palate of whoever is smoking it, some to do with the tobacco used, and quite a bit up to the storage conditions.
Then here's my take on this cigar, it's the oldest I've ever had: http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php/51517-Emerson-Mild-amp-Mellow-Vintage-Baby!
Dan
Okay seriously now...depends on the cigar and the time frame, but they undoubtedly change over time. Whether or not that means they get better or don't really improve at all is a little up to the palate of whoever is smoking it, some to do with the tobacco used, and quite a bit up to the storage conditions.
Then here's my take on this cigar, it's the oldest I've ever had: http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php/51517-Emerson-Mild-amp-Mellow-Vintage-Baby!
Dan
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like most have said, even with ideal storage conditions as a given, there still are lots of variables. like ones tastes, the blend, voodoo, etc. but i will say to my tastes, majority of the old crusty vintage cigars i've had were excellent (with a dud here and there), and of all the cigars i've smoked, the best and most memorable one i've had happened to be a ripe 60 years old.
God i didnt realize what a can of worms i opened up asking this, but thank you all so much for the information. now another side of it is there current sticks being made that you think will last 20 plus years or was this a trait of cigars made back in the day?
njstone
BoM January 2010
It's definitely possible. Storage conditions are a big factor, but the main thing is the tobacco itself. I have very little experience with long-term aging, but they say that stronger tobacco ages better if you're talking about 20 years or more. I've found that in the 15-yr or less mark, mild cigars age very well, though.
I have 2 cigars from the 50s, but I haven't tried anything that old yet.
I have 2 cigars from the 50s, but I haven't tried anything that old yet.
I smoked a 10 year old CC on new years day, and could not believe how the taste changed compared to "out of the box". The cigar was far more complex tasting and mellow.
I read some where many years back, that cigars start degrading after 10 years of storage, this was not the case of the jewel I found in the bottom of my storage humidor.
I read some where many years back, that cigars start degrading after 10 years of storage, this was not the case of the jewel I found in the bottom of my storage humidor.
danthebugman
BoM Nov '10
I don't have much experience with really aged stuff so I'm not going to speculate on what will or won't be good down the stretch, but I know there is some stuff I'm curious to find out how it does with 10+ years on it. Just have to see if I can hold out :dunno:. Specifically the Tat Cojonus, some LFD, I'd love to get some of the DPG Blues that far along, but I'm realistic about those prospects and I'd smoke 'em long before.
Dan
ericdriscoll
CRA Ambassador #175966
Yes...
Cigary43
Just Another Ashhole
It would be a nice thread to start for those who are interested in aged Cigars....Romeo Y Julietta Hermosos #2 Limited Edition - 2004 was devoured a couple of days ago and it was amazing. I wish I had taken the time and collected some of the better CC's by the box as they are indeed some of the best cigars I've ever had. When I get some they are given to me by friends and I am grateful for that which really makes me sick that I didn't start aging boxes back in the early 90's.
Another is Partagas D3 Limited Edition - 2006
Partagas Series D1 - 2004
Montecristo 'C' Limited Edition 2003
Hoyo de Monterrey Habanos Collection - 2004
Some that I think will have real potential is:
Habanos Reserva Series, the Romeo y Julieta Reserva 2012
Cohiba Espys...I have a box(s) from every year since 2000
A good general rule of thumb is that the stronger the cigar the better it ages and from what the "experts" say 5 years and beyond is considered aging.
Another is Partagas D3 Limited Edition - 2006
Partagas Series D1 - 2004
Montecristo 'C' Limited Edition 2003
Hoyo de Monterrey Habanos Collection - 2004
Some that I think will have real potential is:
Habanos Reserva Series, the Romeo y Julieta Reserva 2012
Cohiba Espys...I have a box(s) from every year since 2000
A good general rule of thumb is that the stronger the cigar the better it ages and from what the "experts" say 5 years and beyond is considered aging.