Med to Mild Cigar Storage Question

[KeystoneNative]

First non-intro post, so thank you to everyone's participation in advance. To start, I've been smoking cigars for the past 5+ years, but over the past year and a half, I've really started getting into it, so appreciate your patience as I learn.
So I'm trying to understand why some say milder/medium cigars don't store well long term, yet a Davidoff, a traditionally mild/med cigar suggests, and sells longer term stored cigars. It's also a little confusing as a lot of the older Cubans were not nearly as strong as some of the full bodied cigars around today, but yet, they're praised for their age.
I'm sure there's not a hard fast rule, but it seems like if the cigar is well made, and of good tobacco, it should be good for years. And as my collection has grown, I guess I'm concerned I'll miss the boat on a $250 box of something who's window past because they hung around in humidor for 2-3 years. Example would be something like Davidoff Winston Churchill. As a rated 'medium' cigar, would these be fine for 3+ years if stored well?

Thanks!

 

[Nacho Daddy]

It is suggested that you sample from a box as it ages. Once a year or twice, your call.
First to track the flavors AS it aged,and to be there when the box reaches a peak.
You will know when the peak has passed,when the flavors BEGIN to diminish.This will not be sudden,but you can smoke them up or follow the process further.
I have smoked some wonderful old sticks,maybe not as good as at peak,but still excellent for the age.
If you lack patience,it will be hard for you to go further.
I have experimented with cigars and ageing,some get really special with age, some fade quietly away.
three years should give you some basis for comparison flavor wise, keeping notes of the experience as you go will help.
" It's also a little confusing as a lot of the older Cubans were not nearly as strong as some of the full bodied cigars around today, but yet, they're praised for their age. "
It's not about strength at all.
It's about what the cigar has become.There is no universal simile, but like wine,cheese,and spirits, age transforms them from their original state into their full potential.

 

[mjones9630]

Yeah.. what he ^ said!

Personally, I've had more fade away than I've had get special with age. For some reason, a lot of bold NCs tend to fall flat after about 2-3 yrs..ymmv. just keep trying them periodically throughout the process.

 

[Nacho Daddy]

" For some reason, a lot of bold NCs tend to fall flat after about 2-3 yrs "
I've seen this and I have seen NCs last and flourish for 15 years or more.
Is it recipe or ingredients? How it was made,or what it was made from?
I have some 20+ year old cigars that I enjoy and some 30+ ....
Generally,though, if you can learn to just enjoy what the stick offers,you will have a better time with cigars.

 

[KeystoneNative]

It is suggested that you sample from a box as it ages. Once a year or twice, your call.
First to track the flavors AS it aged,and to be there when the box reaches a peak.
You will know when the peak has passed,when the flavors BEGIN to diminish.This will not be sudden,but you can smoke them up or follow the process further.
I have smoked some wonderful old sticks,maybe not as good as at peak,but still excellent for the age.
If you lack patience,it will be hard for you to go further.
I have experimented with cigars and ageing,some get really special with age, some fade quietly away.
three years should give you some basis for comparison flavor wise, keeping notes of the experience as you go will help.
" It's also a little confusing as a lot of the older Cubans were not nearly as strong as some of the full bodied cigars around today, but yet, they're praised for their age. "
It's not about strength at all.
It's about what the cigar has become.There is no universal simile, but like wine,cheese,and spirits, age transforms them from their original state into their full potential.

I haven't thought about tracking, but guess I should get some sort of diary and start keeping track, and then testing. Good advice. Unfortunately that's where I'm not good. Remembering to write down. Storing and being patient is easy. I like the challenge of waiting. I guess I'm also wondering if my palate just isn't sophisticated enough to know. Even having smoked for a short while, I could probably use some training in tasting.

Interesting about strength. Could be the "mellow out and age" thing I hear all the time that has me thinking that's the main reason. Clearly I've got some work to do.

 

[Nacho Daddy]

Store the diary next to the cigars............Voila............

 

[Boudie]

Read and make notes about the cigars review's on loose leaf paper. As you smoke the cigar try to identify the flavors mentioned in the review, great way to learn. Write down your opinion, identify the flavors and then store the reviews in a three ring binder. Whenever you smoke another go back to your notes and see if your opinions have changed. The process has really helped me. I've had very average cigars, like my friend Mjones9630 smokes (hehe) that become very enjoyable after a year or so in the humidor.

If you don't want to go through the hassle just smoke a way and enjoy,

 

[WatchmanUSA]

Here are a couple of videos and short articles.
When Is It Time To Stop Aging A Cigar?
https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/when-is-time-to-stop-aging-a-cigar-19338

How Does Aging A Cigar Affect The Taste?
https://www.cigaraficionado.com/articles/how-does-aging-a-cigar-affect-the-taste-18595

Can Cigars Go Stale And Lose Their Flavor?
https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/can-cigars-go-stale-and-lose-their-flavor-19560