How much does aging in Spanish Cedar Really affect flavor?

[Blippio]

Hey, I've searched around and found a few tidbits but I wanted to see if anyone had experience with aging in Spanish Cedar (for years) vs. Coolidors, etc..., specifically in how it affects flavor development within cigars.

I'm familiar with SCedar's benefits/characteristics--and love the smell of my desktop humi--but I think I read somewhere that aging in SCedar, over long periods, gives a "spiciness" to cigars, can anyone attest to this? Not too big on spicy personally, and am thinking of a humidor build... so eyeing Sapele which may be a bit more "neutral".

Thoughts?

[Colt45]

Personally, I don't feel that Spanish ( non aromatic ) cedar, a species of mahogany, imparts much, if anything, flavor - wise long term.

I've had cigars for years in cedar lined desk tops, cigars in boxes with cedar sheets, etc, and have never really noticed any kind of cedar influence. Tubed cigars I've had have tended to be a bit more intense aromatically, but that has blown off, and not had an effect on flavor.

It never hurts to try for yourself.....

[CaptainQuintero]

Same as Colt, it seems to be used as it's a pretty neutral wood that smells nice but doesn't effect your cigars negatively more than anything else, the imparting special flavours part I think is more myth built up around a sensible wood being used that is quite expensive, so something extra is needed to make the cost worthwhile.

[Rye]

I am a huge fan of Spanish cedar and went overkill on my build, as well as setups for friends.

I age all my custom rolls from fresh directly on it, and it just feels right. To me, cigars that have spent time in my humi taste better than those from others.

[Blippio]

I am a huge fan of Spanish cedar and went overkill on my build, as well as setups for friends.

I age all my custom rolls from fresh directly on it, and it just feels right. To me, cigars that have spent time in my humi taste better than those from others.

Hey Rye- could you characterize how they are better in terms of flavor? I love the way Spanish Cedar smells, especially mingled with that tobacco smell, I just didn't want to invest in a big vault/cabinet build (yes, I'm thinking overkill as well!) and have it impart flavors I don't like... I'm thinking longer-term aging

[Rye]

Hey Rye- could you characterize how they are better in terms of flavor? I love the way Spanish Cedar smells, especially mingled with that tobacco smell, I just didn't want to invest in a big vault/cabinet build (yes, I'm thinking overkill as well!) and have it impart flavors I don't like... I'm thinking longer-term aging

I find that paper boxes impart paper flavours, plastic tastes like plastic, and well, I like wood, so if anything rubs off (which SC does very little if at all) at least it's something I enjoy. It could be all in my head, most likely, and I don't have decades of aging experience, but I find it soothing if that makes any sense. Also, the heavy amount of wood in my cab really does do wonders for regulating temp and RH.

If there is any taste difference, I'd say it was due to cold scent and the smell of the outside of the cigar as you smoke vs any change in burnt flavours

[Blippio]

I'm liking that answer Rye! One of my intentions was using thick, slab-like Spanish Cedar construction for (overkill) humidity buffering

[Rye]

The slabs I used are 10mm thick on the sides and bottom. I like it

[mk05]

Is spanish cedar, actually spanish cedar?

[subport]

Is spanish cedar, actually spanish cedar?

Neither spanish nor cedar actually. Cedrela odorata is native in central and south america, but can find it elswhere too. It is a specific kind of mahagony. It is mainly called spanish cedar because of its cedar-like, cedarish odor. Easy to work with due to low density and softness but the dust can be irritant. Commonly used for veneer, plywood, cabinetry, musical instrument (mainly classical, flamenco guitars) note the spanish in the name comes here and of course humidors. I also know it is used in boatbuilding too.

I have a Simon&Patrick guitar made of spanish cedar. It is handmade canadian instrument. Damn good. Always thinking about my cigars when I am playin on it, hahaha.

[SaintLuis]

Personally, I don't feel that Spanish ( non aromatic ) cedar, a species of mahogany, imparts much, if anything, flavor - wise long term.

I've had cigars for years in cedar lined desk tops, cigars in boxes with cedar sheets, etc, and have never really noticed any kind of cedar influence. Tubed cigars I've had have tended to be a bit more intense aromatically, but that has blown off, and not had an effect on flavor.

It never hurts to try for yourself.....

I agree with colt.

[laficion]

Personally, I don't feel that Spanish ( non aromatic ) cedar, a species of mahogany, imparts much, if anything, flavor - wise long term.

I've had cigars for years in cedar lined desk tops, cigars in boxes with cedar sheets, etc, and have never really noticed any kind of cedar influence. Tubed cigars I've had have tended to be a bit more intense aromatically, but that has blown off, and not had an effect on flavor.

I'll go with Ross,In saying that even If the smell Is wonderful , It does nothing to the cigars In general.

Guy

[ajgagnon]

Like Pavlov's dog, I am trained to drool at the smell...

[Blippio]

And then there's this

http://www.demeterfragrance.com/58083/704118/All-Classic-Scents/Humidor.html

[finecigar]

I have compared cigars that a were aged in S cedar to same year and code to those in dress boxes and also cardboard packs and almost always I prefer the one in cedar... Flavors seem to come out smoother, more refined, not spicy while those in the cardboard and dress box have a bitterness quality. Though not an extreme change or problem but still worth notice. I have some handmade desktop humidors where I keep singles with 1-1.5 inch thick SC and cigars put in there always amaze me when compared to just pulling our box.

[Smallclub]

The 2003 Selección Robustos and Pyramides (box of 5) were soaked with cedar taste.

[Maplepie]

The 2003 Selección Robustos and Pyramides (box of 5) were soaked with cedar taste.

Will agree with this.

Methinks it also had something to do with the Cuban implemented humidifier in them. But of course due to the near equal volume of wood cigars...

Sent by the Enigma on BlackBerry.

[mk05]

Neither spanish nor cedar actually...

Thank you for your reply, but I should clarify. Are spanish cedar cabs actually made of spanish cedar? And if spanish cedar is so good, why are cigars always wrapped in paper as to never allow direct contact with this "spanish cedar?"

[...]

Thank you for your reply, but I should clarify. Are spanish cedar cabs actually made of spanish cedar? And if spanish cedar is so good, why are cigars always wrapped in paper as to never allow direct contact with this "spanish cedar?"

I might be wrong but other than a few exceptions, only NCs are wrapped individually. CCs are generally in direct contact, either with cab or snb sides (spanish cedar veneer because of cost associated with solid wood) or dress box divider.

Traditionally, individual wrap (cello or paper) is done to protect cigars from shipping damage.

[mk05]

Incorrect. Wax paper has always been utilized to shield cigars from direct contact with spanish cedar - historically. Nevertheless, the original question, what is spanish cedar and why are people aging cigars nowadays having different experiences aging in them compared to older generations?

[helix]

I just feel better when my sticks are on the wood. Always remove them from the boxes and lay em down loose on the wood (SC).

[subport]

Cabs and slb's are spanish cedar veneers mainly. The inside layer is a thin sc veneer. Used to be solid wood (sc) box but changed in the 80-90's I think due to high cost.

I fairly think (all speculation here) it is not because of the cigar taste. The cedar aroma is against beetles. Obvioulsy not true protection but still. Secondly it helps maintain humidity. And after all it does not effect the aroma of the cigar badly. Note I am only saying aroma here not the taste.

I do not remove the wax paper myself. Yes they almost all comes like that.

Sorry no real answer here. I dont have. ;-)

[CaptainQuintero]

I've always assumed the wax paper was simply there to protect the wrapper from damage

[mk05]

Then why is there no surrounding wax paper on Cohiba Lancero, Esplendido, Sir Winston, etc? Why do dress boxes only have the wax paper on the top - before the cedar - and if the boxes have a strip of wax paper on the bottom, it's actually just a strip to cover the bands? These point to the conclusion that paper is NOT to protect the wrappers from damage.

[CaptainQuintero]

Then why is there no surrounding wax paper on Cohiba Lancero, Esplendido, Sir Winston, etc? Why do dress boxes only have the wax paper on the top - before the cedar - and if the boxes have a strip of wax paper on the bottom, it's actually just a strip to cover the bands? These point to the conclusion that paper is NOT to protect the wrappers from damage.

Maybe there is simply less space for movement in a tighter 12-13 box compared to a bundle wobbling around in a SLB where otherwise the wrapper could be rubbing against the insides. The bare wood certainly feel abrasive. It would explain why retailers sometimes place bubblewrap beneath the lid in SLBs before shipping, it points to SLBs not holding the cigars snug with little to no movement compared to dress boxes?

How were the 5x5 Partagas Charlottes packaged in terms of wax paper?