Aging Question

[djs134]

We got to talking about aging CCs at the local B&M last night and one of the guys is from overseas. He swears that the best way to age CCs is to remove them from their box, or at the very least, open the box up. I have a couple of boxes that I've had for a couple of years and the seal isn't even cracked. My plan is to open them no sooner than 5 years from their box date. From what I've read and heard, this is the best way.

What say you all? Any pros/cons? Anecdotes?

 

[terrantheman]

I would like to know this also?

 

[indyrob]

Keep them closed, sealed & put away if you plan on keeping them aged.

I've never heard about keeping them out of the box, in fact I think keeping them out of the box makes them go flat faster than out of the box.

 

[Halon]

Cigars age better when they're together. That's why culebras were invented -- so you could have the aging benefits of a bigger cigar with the taste benefits of a smaller rg cigar. The bundled slbs that come out of Cuba are a modern-day version of a culebra -- all the cigars are bundled together so they age better.
In short, leave them be.


TYLER

 

[gonz]

If you can get your hands on a sealed well-aged box of Partagas 898v, you'll never wonder this question again, I'll tell you what.

Cigars age faster the more fresh air they're exposed to. That is not to say better, but faster. Many people see fast results and think hot damn!!, but given longer in a sealed box/cab I can almost guarantee will turn out better.

The question becomes, are you laying them down for 5, 10, 15yrs?
Or do you plan to smoke them in 6mos, or 1 year?
If you choose the latter, more air will likely serve you better.

 

[solowgregg]

Cigars age better when they're together. That's why culebras were invented


TYLER

Actually I believe culebras were invented to keep factory workers from stealing premium cigars. When a "cigar second" was discovered it was deemed not worthy of the premium title and was given to the workers to take home and consume. Eventually someone realized (lightbulb) "hey why don't I just replace a premium with this POS?". Once factory management discovered this ingenious plan they started to have seconds tied in bundles of three, for easy identification whilst on their way out the door. But then again I am mostly an idiot and I believe a lot of what I read.

But as for the question, I was always told (see last line of above paragraph) that moving them to an ideal environment is best for aging. If that's not the case I need to change a few things up.

 

[gonz]

But as for the question I was always told (see last line of above paragraph) that moving them to an ideal environment is best for aging. If that's not the case I need to change a few things up.

Putting the sealed box into your humidor is indeed... moving them to an ideal environment!

 

[solowgregg]

Ahhhhhh. I guess that was implied huh? Yeah I'm an idiot.

 

[solowgregg]

Wait wait wait wait wait. I was told that leaving them in the cellophane and humidifying them would be bad, as the cellophane would hinder air flow whereby inhibiting humidification. I was also told that taking the cello off of singles is also necessary. What am I missing here?

 

[CWS]

Wait wait wait wait wait. I was told that leaving them in the cellophane and humidifying them would be bad, as the cellophane would hinder air flow whereby inhibiting humidification. I was also told that taking the cello off of singles is also necessary. What am I missing here?

See thread and poll: cello yea or nay amoung the many threads on this subject. As many opinions as there are cigars.

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=12527&highlight=cello

 

[tubaman]

Cigars age faster the more fresh air they're exposed to. That is not to say better, but faster. Many people see fast results and think hot damn!!, but given longer in a sealed box/cab I can almost guarantee will turn out better.

So, would you say the same holds true for tubos?

 

[djs134]

So, would you say the same holds true for tubos?

This touches on the heart of my question. Although I agree that aging occurs in both cases, open to air flow as well as sealed in an viable environment, the quality of the aging ends up being the question. It would seem to me that aging in a closed environment where the volatile oils are no allowed to escape, but chemically change would produce a richer flavor. This may take longer. In the case of tubos, the environment is maintained within the tube. Would I remove the cigars from the tubes to age them? I wouldn't.

 

[solowgregg]

Well to each his own, but as for me, I will always take every cigar out of it's cello. Even if I were to store a box I would unwrap the box and each individual cigar, and then place the entire box in the bottom of the humidor. But that is only if I didn't have enough room in a singles tray. I've just heard too many people say that is the way to do it.

 

[tubaman]

Well to each his own, but as for me, I will always take every cigar out of it's cello. Even if I were to store a box I would unwrap the box and each individual cigar, and then place the entire box in the bottom of the humidor. But that is only if I didn't have enough room in a singles tray. I've just heard too many people say that is the way to do it.

I could probably give you just as many that tell you not to do it. The bottom line is, do whatever you are comfortable with. I can tell you though, I've had cigars from the 70's that have been stored in their cello and they have been magnificent. Whether or not it would have been better is more than I can conclude, but if it would have been better, that would have been one freakin' awesome cigar.

 

[solowgregg]

Well said, I'm just a let 'em breathe sort of guy.

 

[waterboy]

Actually I believe culebras were invented to keep factory workers from stealing premium cigars. When a "cigar second" was discovered it was deemed not worthy of the premium title and was given to the workers to take home and consume. Eventually someone realized (lightbulb) "hey why don't I just replace a premium with this POS?". Once factory management discovered this ingenious plan they started to have seconds tied in bundles of three, for easy identification whilst on their way out the door. But then again I am mostly an idiot and I believe a lot of what I read.

But as for the question, I was always told (see last line of above paragraph) that moving them to an ideal environment is best for aging. If that's not the case I need to change a few things up.

From MRN's book:

" It is also interesting that in recent years a very popular story goes around about the culebras like this " In the old days cigar rollers were rationed 3 small cigars a day for personal consumption. To prevent rollers stealing the cigars they made, one culebras was rationed to each roller per day. All the cigars were twisted, rollers who stole their production for smoking could be easily spotted."
"The inventor of this story simply overlooked the fact that any cigar rollers could twist the cigars they made into any shape they like.
The factor rejects far outnumbered the 3 cigars ration per roller per day. Specially making 3 cigars for the consumption of the rollers was far more cost-ineffective than allowing them to smoke the factory rejects."

Makes sense to me, FWIW.:computer:

 

[cvm4]

The more air that moves around the cigars, the faster they oxidize.

 

[Headbanger]

Cello lets the sticks breathe and lets RH both in or out of the environment the sticks are in. I store my sticks how I get them, cello, tubo, box, or slb cabinet.

 

[cvm4]

Cello lets the sticks breathe and lets RH both in or out of the environment the sticks are in. I store my sticks how I get them, cello, tubo, box, or slb cabinet.

sbn? :razz:

 

[no_substitute]

I used to microanalyze and worry about all this stuff. Now I just throw boxes in the winecooler and try to stay away from them as long as possible.