Keeping Track of your stash.....

[djs134]

Life got a bit hectic for me a little over a year ago and, although I didn't stop smoking cigars, I did let my humidor succumb to entropy as far as any kind of organization or inventory control was concerned. So, recently I pulled the Min Ron NEE book off of the shelf and took stock of what sticks I had, where I got then (gifted, trade, purchase), box codes (if available, year if not) and what recommended minimum aging was suggested.

To some of you this might seem a little "anal" but others, I'm sure can relate. One thing that I did notice was that looking through some of my empty boxes, I have no doubt that some of my impressions of past CCs was colored by non-existent aging on my part.

So I've decided that I'm going to try an track my sticks more carefully and try to get the most out of my hobby. For those of you who track your sticks... how do you do it? Computer program? Notebook? Stone slab/chisel?

 

[Kurtdesign1]

I don't track my supply but I do track my experiences. To be honest, MRN only really relates to pre-2003 cigars; and possibly to even before that. The blends have changed and possibly even tobacco strains have changed since it was published 7 years ago and should not be referenced as anything more than a slight guideline at this point. That being said, it was and still is the best reference guide available for pre-2003 cigars.

As an example, Almost all cigars currently made are smokeable after 1-year. MRNs book perhaps had less than 5 total vitolas that, prior to its publishing, were recommended to be consumed at 12 months or beyond. Keep that in mind. This is, of course, my opinion only...

 

[djs134]

Thanks for the info. What changed that lets cigars smoke earlier. Have they begun to age the tobacco that much more before rolling. Seems like a major change to production! From what I can tell going through the book, he projects discontinuation into 2002, so I suspect that the information is pre 2000.

A number of my sticks fell into his time-frame, but most are post 2003. I (incorrectly apparently) assumed that the rule of thumb (min 3yrs Semi Plain/ 5yrs Cab) still stood. I also used it to determine which boxes would have the best chance of aging very well (898s & Mag 46s for example).

 

[Kurtdesign1]

LOTS can be said on this topic. I'd say it would suit you best to smoke 2 from each box you are considering setting down IF they are older than 2 years IMO. If they smoke poorly, replace their position in the box with bubble wrap & pack them up for sleep again. Unless you are planning on becoming a retailer & selling full boxes in the future, this won't hurt anything. As stated above, blends and tobacco strains have been modified since 2003, rendering MRN partially outdated. FYI, his information is from (IIRC) smoking experiences documented personally by him in 2001-2 and collectively obtained opinions throughout this same time period.
Have fun tasting...

 

[djs134]

Thanks. That does remind me of another question I had.... I've purchased a couple of boxes of vintage (actually, I guess, aged) cigars over the years and have pretty much been pleased with them, but they've always been shipped in their original sealed packaging. I'm looking to receive an order of Mag 46's ('05) from a reputable source that does not ship in original packaging (although the bands will be left intact). Assuming that I place them in similar SLBs, has the aging been adversely affected?

 

[Kurtdesign1]

Thanks. That does remind me of another question I had.... I've purchased a couple of boxes of vintage (actually, I guess, aged) cigars over the years and have pretty much been pleased with them, but they've always been shipped in their original sealed packaging. I'm looking to receive an order of Mag 46's ('05) from a reputable source that does not ship in original packaging (although the bands will be left intact). Assuming that I place them in similar SLBs, has the aging been adversely affected?

Nah, I'd say you're going to be fine. some extreme long term effects may be seen but my best guess is that you'll NEVER notice.

 

[Mitch]

Only difference I'd say is single rarely get plume because they tend to get moved around alot. Will not change the taste though.

 

[djs134]

........As an example, Almost all cigars currently made are smokeable after 1-year. MRNs book perhaps had less than 5 total vitolas that, prior to its publishing, were recommended to be consumed at 12 months or beyond. Keep that in mind. This is, of course, my opinion only...

It will be interesting to check this out and see if I agree. I hope that you're not implying that long term aging has been sacrificed for more immediate satisfaction. After the past few years, I think I'm able to appreciate a well aged cc and would like to reach into a box that I've watched over myself (and fought with my own self control over the years for) to enjoy a well cared for cigar. Are there less tannins in the new strains (yho, of course).

...Unless you are planning on becoming a retailer & selling full boxes in the future, this won't hurt anything. As stated above, blends and tobacco strains have been modified since 2003, rendering MRN partially outdated...Have fun tasting...

No, not a retailer or planning on selling full boxes. Hell, it's all I can do to keep what I get long enough to see plume!

 

[kuzi16]

when i get a cigar i put a label on it with the date it enters my humidor.


beyond that i keep a notebook full of notes that i take about a cigar the first time i smoke one. if i have one that is aged a bit i will catalog that too and compare the first time i smoked it. some mellow with age in a better way than others.

this catalog has helped me understand cigars on a level that i never thought i could before.

 

[Benzopyrene]

I just started putting every single one of my singles into a single baggy and putting a label on it. The boxes themselves are labels. I also am currently going through and make a spread sheet of each of my humidors with everything thats in them. Once its done once it should be easy to maintain. It doesnt take much time to take a few off the list. Plus it gives me some time with my smokes that doesnt involve smoking them. I dont know about you guys, but I love looking at my cigars, and I love smelling the aroma all around me. Its part of the pleasure I get from it all. Cheers!

 

[Kurtdesign1]

It will be interesting to check this out and see if I agree. I hope that you're not implying that long term aging has been sacrificed for more immediate satisfaction. After the past few years, I think I'm able to appreciate a well aged cc and would like to reach into a box that I've watched over myself (and fought with my own self control over the years for) to enjoy a well cared for cigar. Are there less tannins in the new strains (yho, of course).

I should also add that just because cigars become smokeable earlier doesn't mean I do not support extended aging of them. I would also like to revise what I said in that I don't think the vast majority are ready at a year but they certainly are ready much sooner than before. A little timeline for these changes is difficult to "sum up" but plainly anyone who has gotten heavily into the recent history of Habanos can determine that post-1995, 1999-2001, 2003 and possibly 2005 were seemingly times when revisions or changes to our cigars were noticed. Major blend changes in 1995 from the classic, long time blends of the cigars we have always heard of kicked off this major change. In 99-01 it is thought by some that a major shortage of Ligero was seen and therefore the cigar blends were different (this may not be the only blend issue, just one I am familiar with). In 03 something happened that theories point out to potentially be tobacco strain changes, fermentation temperature increases, another major blend change, etc but without confirmation from tabacuba (the overseeing body for cigar production) or the tobacco institute (scientists behind the tobacco engineered for our cigars) we do not publicly know this with 100% certainty.

Do I think these changes will effect long term aging? I think it is naive to think that these potential revisions will have NO effect but I am with the rest of you when I say that I can only guess. I've had some absolutely unbelievable cigars in my life that were from the pre-95 timeframe. I've also had some really good cigars from after. Will those really good cigars grow into absolutely unbelievable; I don't know but if I had to guess, I'd say we'll have more smokeable cigars, sooner, rather than amazing cigars later. JMHO, of course :bigeyes:

 

[djs134]

I really appreciate your insight.

From the reviews I've read, the cigars post 05 seem to be pretty good for the sticks I'm looking at. For instance Partagas 898s still sound as though they have enough substance to age well. We'll see. And I'm hoping the Mag 46s do as well. Of course, I can't say as I have a problem with good smoking sooner.

One thing is certain, the journey will be enjoyable.

 

[rennD]

Label makers do wonders. At herfs, I write notes with cigar marca/vitola, year, box code (if known) and the name/date of who gave it to me.

I keep track of everything in a database.

I dont write on blank cigar bands, I use the label maker. I also put labels on the 5 finger bags I use.

 

[Shmear]

It ain't a bad idea at all. I do the same thing, actually. I have a notebook for it and i have all the cigars i have in my humidor, also including trades/bombs from who and I also have addy's written in there too.

For me it's easier in a notebook.

I check the one's that i smoked and write right next to them with what i had it (if there was something to have it with at the time) and a relatively small review on it.

 

[sli38]

I dont have a lot of singles kicking around. I tend to smoke them up sooner than later, it keeps me from cracking open as many new boxes. I don't really keep track of what I have but I do keep a rotation going and when I finish off a box I will open something else and add it to the rotation. I like to age all my full boxes in freezer bags untill I am ready to open one. I don't like ageing partial boxes for the long term so I try to buy in multiples, one box to smoke out of and a couple to put away. This has worked great for me so far.

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

Thanks. That does remind me of another question I had.... I've purchased a couple of boxes of vintage (actually, I guess, aged) cigars over the years and have pretty much been pleased with them, but they've always been shipped in their original sealed packaging. I'm looking to receive an order of Mag 46's ('05) from a reputable source that does not ship in original packaging (although the bands will be left intact). Assuming that I place them in similar SLBs, has the aging been adversely affected?

Why does that happen?

I have always wondered way they don't just ship them in the original box/boxes....trying to hide something maybe?