What causes that musty taste in aged cigars

[isad]

Is that just a sign they have matured? the taste isnt bad just wondering?

 

[Cigary43]

Not sure what it is but after sampling a couple I could probably tell ya.

 

[njstone]

In my limited experience, the only time I've tasted what I'd describe as "musty" is with certain Sumatra wrappers (experienced it in an R&J of unknown age and a new 5 Vegas Classic). I don't like it at all.

 

[MichiganM]

Musty? Can you elaborate a little bit?

 

[daniyal]

Never tasted any thing resembling a musty taste in a cigar... perhaps the stick you smoked wasn't a stored properly or had been boxed up for an excruciatingly long period of time without any fresh air.

 

[oneaday]

That might describe the flavor of an aged stick that is either past it's prime (5%) or more likely a stick that is old but hasn't been stored properly (95%). The flavor I'm thinking of isn't particularly bad, not hobo's ass...........just uninteresting. Most of the aged sticks I've had the pleasure of enjoying are marvelous, some are sublime.

 

[terrantheman]

by musty do you mean "barnyard?"

 

[Havanaaddict]

It has to do with storage most of the time. The only time you run into this is cigars coming from europe that the vendor has stored there long term stock in below ground cave like storage. They do not have any air movement and moisture in the air. Sometimes only a little bit of that musty taste comes through but other times it can be overwealmingopeyes:

 

[CWS]

I bought some very old sticks from CI for a bargin price. Musty is a good description. Bad cigar does not improve with age.

 

[sli38]

"Musty" like others have said is caused mostly from over humidification. If you torch the crap out of the foot it does a lot to diminish the Musty flavor.......

 

[indyrob]

Oxidation can cause the mustiness you're describing in an aged cigar. It's just a by-product of the whole long term experience we are all looking for to some degree.

It's not a sure sign of maturity, but it does show a little age.

 

[architeuthis]

Heh... Sometimes a musty taste can also be a sign of mold.