I noticed when I got bombed that all the cigars were at least one to three years old. Is that the normal case for CC? or does it apply to both CC and NC? The oldest cigar I have is oh roughly from time of purchase to now 5 months. Is aging better than just buying and enjoying? if so how long is a good time to wait? And what is to long? What about the desire to smoke them? I love at least one cigar a day. Need Help
Aging of CC & NC Cigars
- Thread starter Donk
- Start date
indyrob
BoM Feb '06 & Sept. '08
For the most part, NC cigars are aged for a period of years before releasing them for sale. This helps create a more consistant taste profile for the end user.
CC's are boxed within a shorter period of time after being rolled, like within months.
The advantages of having CC with more age on them is the tobacco has had time to mellow out and the blend has had a chance to let thier unique properties marry into a more balanced cigar.
I've noticed that cigars have a pronounced change at 1 year, 4-5 years, and again after 10.
NC's do age, but because of the fact that these cigars are readily available and blended to remain consistant year-to-year, it escapes most of us to age them. There are stand outs that will be laid down for ageing (Fuente's, Padrons, etc.), but the CC's are regarded for becoming better with age.
CC's are boxed within a shorter period of time after being rolled, like within months.
The advantages of having CC with more age on them is the tobacco has had time to mellow out and the blend has had a chance to let thier unique properties marry into a more balanced cigar.
I've noticed that cigars have a pronounced change at 1 year, 4-5 years, and again after 10.
NC's do age, but because of the fact that these cigars are readily available and blended to remain consistant year-to-year, it escapes most of us to age them. There are stand outs that will be laid down for ageing (Fuente's, Padrons, etc.), but the CC's are regarded for becoming better with age.
Yea, what Indy said. I don't know how deep you want this discussion to go because there is a whole science to aging. Most CC need at least 3 years to
become smokeable for me. Theoretically, most cigars can improve over the next 40 years in optimal conditions. You can ask your vender for an aged list and get a few ready to smoke boxes. I started out smoking new CC but I just can't anymore. I won't buy anything any longer with less than 5 years age. Get yourself something 2001 or earlier and you won't go back.
become smokeable for me. Theoretically, most cigars can improve over the next 40 years in optimal conditions. You can ask your vender for an aged list and get a few ready to smoke boxes. I started out smoking new CC but I just can't anymore. I won't buy anything any longer with less than 5 years age. Get yourself something 2001 or earlier and you won't go back.
IMHO, there is another factor that plays into the NC/CC debate. Most NC tobacco is aged separately for several years; meaning wrapper, binder and filler are aged as individual tobaccos. Once rolled, they are sometimes aged for additional periods, but generally, the tobacco at assembly is reasonably mature. As Rob notes, this helps the NC producers to manufacture consistent smokes.
With CC's, individual aging for long periods is not the norm. Hence, the cigars are rolled with tobaccos that are young and immature. I believe this to be the single biggest influence as to why CC's age the way the do. Instead of aging separately, the tobaccos are allowed to age in harmony, marrying the flavors over a period of time to create superior cigars. Of course, there are differences in tobacco, soil, climate, etc., but the assembly and distribution of CC's is expedited since it is a major cash crop for the island.
I gotta disagree with Doc about the age thing though. Generally speaking, the older the CC the better the smoke - up to a point. Some have been known to "fall off" after a period of time. I have found that there are some excellent smokes to be had between 2 - 4 years. There is no reason to limit yourself to five years and older.
With CC's, individual aging for long periods is not the norm. Hence, the cigars are rolled with tobaccos that are young and immature. I believe this to be the single biggest influence as to why CC's age the way the do. Instead of aging separately, the tobaccos are allowed to age in harmony, marrying the flavors over a period of time to create superior cigars. Of course, there are differences in tobacco, soil, climate, etc., but the assembly and distribution of CC's is expedited since it is a major cash crop for the island.
I gotta disagree with Doc about the age thing though. Generally speaking, the older the CC the better the smoke - up to a point. Some have been known to "fall off" after a period of time. I have found that there are some excellent smokes to be had between 2 - 4 years. There is no reason to limit yourself to five years and older.
Some do fall off but most cigars theoretically improve in optimal conditions over the course of decades. There are some that peak at 20 years and fall off while others are supposed to improve up to 40 years. But, I'm new to vintage and most of my experience is with 1997-2005. All I know is this, when I smoke a Boli PC 97 vs. a Mag46 2005 I notice a HUGE difference. Most smokes take 3 years to become smokeable for my palate.
NC do not show a box code or when rolled date. So there is no way to know how old the cigar or box really is. There is no real hard and fast rule of how old or fresh is a cigar to smoke them. Similar to your girlfriend post what is the best cigar. Some is personal taste. Some cigars can be smoked right away while others are recommended to age minimum 5 or more years or will taste like cardboard. You will learn more of these things in time.
Here is an example of one manufacturer. On a box of Rafael Gonzalez they write on the back the following: "In order that the Connoissoeur may fully appreciate the perfect fragrance they should be smoked either within one month of the date of shipment from Havana or should be carefully matured for about one year.
Here is an example of one manufacturer. On a box of Rafael Gonzalez they write on the back the following: "In order that the Connoissoeur may fully appreciate the perfect fragrance they should be smoked either within one month of the date of shipment from Havana or should be carefully matured for about one year.
This is another, "it's a personal taste" thing as well. There are some smokes that people will say they love fresh, while others will say they are worthless unless 5+ years old. It all depends on what you are looking for out of the cigar. In GENERAL aging will always benefit a CC, but there are plenty that are quite good fresh.
Generally aging makes the difference. HoweverThe 06 CC's are blended to smoke now so they say. I must say there are some, Dip 2, Boli RC, Party Short, and others that have been extremely smokable. Old doesn't always mean good by the way.
Greg
BoM October 2006
Actually, this is not true.
ERdM, Padilla, Tatuaje all date their boxes now and Padron adds a roll date printed on a piece of paper inside the box.
But typically from experience you'd say on a box CC's three years is a good starting point though, I'm getting ready to purchase the first CC box. Just want to make sure I do things right. Do you open the box or leave it sealed? or take them out and into a humi? my two humi's are almost full. I'm thinking box storage. but sealed or opened?
Again age depends on the brand and style. Check them upon arrival yes. Keep them stored in their box nice and tight yes. Have fun and enjoy them yes. Get larger credit card limit yes. Start a coolidor yes.
Oh 1 more thing for the direction your headed.....
Yea, I agree CWS those party shorts are good young. And no old doesnt always mean good. I have heard of some crazy poor smokes that have 30-40 years on them. The only thing I worry about if I decide to go down that road is....how they stored during those years. I would be ticked if I dropped 500-1k on a box of crunchy dirt sticks.
Don't get me wrong, I love aged sticks. I just have no self control... So I have been looking at and trying both new ones and aged. 06 VR's after only a few months have been sublime. Same with the Boli RC. Plenty of stuff out there.
I also have very little self control when it comes to a good cigar. That's why I can't age my own boxes. And I can imagine any VR from any year being out of this world.