Big News out of Cuba

[the nub]

#1 is very good news, in my estimation. So any box '05 or newer won't need in-house freezing upon arrival. Might change some folks' buying habits as well.

Cannot imagine how 'spensive those Cohiba maduros will be!

As I posted on another board, AFAIK, this is only done to current production. There is nothing to stop an older unfrozen box from infesting the new cigars. There are many older non-REVISADO boxes in Havana shops. If these are infected and go back to the warehouse for re-inspection, they can infect the new boxes.

I still freeze everything, especially boxes I buy in Cuba.

 

[sli38]

As I posted on another board, AFAIK, this is only done to current production. There is nothing to stop an older unfrozen box from infesting the new cigars. There are many older non-REVISADO boxes in Havana shops. If these are infected and go back to the warehouse for re-inspection, they can infect the new boxes.

I still freeze everything, especially boxes I buy in Cuba.

I've always heard older boxes are safe as beetle eggs do not live forever.

 

[Terrasco]

Damnation! They keep finding new ways to further evil of the dark side.

 

[Headbanger]

bumpity

 

[DocLogic77]

I have heard alot of junk about smaller gauges, 1999's and other years. I purposefully tried those years and gauges and found all the boxes terrific. I got a good discount because of this belief. Thanks to these people I got some terrific deals.

 

[Séamas]

Ok, so freezing doesn't affect taste. But what about aging? Long-term aging (as opposed to short term "marrying") is dependant on microbes, and it seems like deep freezing might kill some or all of those microbes.

Since they've only recently started freezing, is there any data on how it affects long-term aging?

 

[tubaman]

Cuba only started freezing recently, but some individuals have been doing this for years. I'm not aware of any scientific study, but I've sampled sticks with the same box code, one box frozen for awhile, the other not, and I couldn't taste any difference. Maybe some have a more refined pallet than me though.

 

[CWS]

I freeze any boxes where the heat level in transit is suspect. Ive done this for years with no bad effects.

 

[Kurtdesign1]

Cuba only started freezing recently, but some individuals have been doing this for years. I'm not aware of any scientific study, but I've sampled sticks with the same box code, one box frozen for awhile, the other not, and I couldn't taste any difference. Maybe some have a more refined pallet than me though.

No K, you've got nothing to worry about. I've done this on several occasions, with several different cigars, of several different ages. Not scientific, but enough for me to have confidence in freezing if I feel it is necessary. IMO, freeze away boys IF you feel there were some temperature problems.

BUT I also think that the least impact you can have on your cigars, the better. This is not something you can just beat & abuse. It's a fragile, living thing that should be respected & treated accordingly.

 

[MichiganM]

I just found this thread. That is excellent news that Habanos are now freezing their cigars. Temp issues are the main reason I went to an Avanti. But now that I'm looking into buying a cabinet humidor soon (hopefully) I'll lose my cooling ability. I've never froze my cigars, but I am seriously considering it if I lose cooling ability. Now I may not have to worry as much. This is all excellent news for Habanos!