SCDLH El Principe Aging

[thetek]

Grabbed a box of San Cristobal El Principe from one of the recent 24:24 sales.

Rob didn't mention in his writeup any advice/preference on how well they age. Interested to hear some opinions from you all: is there a certain amount of time down before you feel they hit their peak?

P.S.

They're gorgeous and smell like pure cocoa

[JohnS]

San Cristobal de La Habana El Principes, when they are well-constructed and have wrappers like the ones in your box, are usually okay to smoke without significant aging. I bought a box of EML Feb 15 from a 24:24 sale this year and personally I felt that were a touch 'strong' early on and required a little more mellowing. This proved to be the case after about 60 days resting in my humidor. I now have 10 left and I plan to visit them every few months to see how they are coming along.

[DoubleDD]

I always try one myself and see how they are then I judge on how long I think they'll take. If I feel they need significant time down I try one every few months. There is no set time as all of our tastes differ.

[Homebrew]

Yep, they are pretty much, smokable, within the first year. That said, I am currently smoking from an 07 box that are pure caramel sticks.

Dave (A.K.A. Homebrew)

[RijkdeGooier]

The few boxes I smoked were smokeable from the start, but I found them better developing more milk chocolate and caramel over time.

As per usual the standard disclaimer applies ?

[ralphie48]

I got my first box and smoked through about 7 in 2 weeks time after dry boxing and I plan on keeping them in my dry box rotation because they are that good fresh. I feel like if you enjoy them

Now smoke them now, who knows I might like them less in a year. Once they came up again on the 24;24 with the same

Box code as my first box I ordered 2 more boxes. I plan on smoking them mainly fresh but might keep a box away for a year or two. But imo they are great fresh, and I see no reason to stop smoking them in anticipation of the unknown. Than again I am no expert

[luv2fly]

Grabbed a box of San Cristobal El Principe from one of the recent 24:24 sales.

Rob didn't mention in his writeup any advice/preference on how well they age. Interested to hear some opinions from you all: is there a certain amount of time down before you feel they hit their peak?

P.S.

They're gorgeous and smell like pure cocoa

Those are beautiful

[jeht]

I got my first box and smoked through about 7 in 2 weeks time after dry boxing and I plan on keeping them in my dry box rotation because they are that good fresh. I feel like if you enjoy them

Now smoke them now, who knows I might like them less in a year. Once they came up again on the 24;24 with the same

Box code as my first box I ordered 2 more boxes. I plan on smoking them mainly fresh but might keep a box away for a year or two. But imo they are great fresh, and I see no reason to stop smoking them in anticipation of the unknown. Than again I am no expert

Agree with this! Try some and see for yourself. You might like cigars fresh (i do!) over aged. Bottom line, do what works for you... cigars are for YOUR enjoyment

[marty922]

I have a box from 07 that I'm stoked with.

[Sprouthog]

Smoke and evaluate. I usually don't smoke anything unless it has at least a year on it.

[garbandz]

It's a box of Principes! Smoke a couple!

If you like the taste,buy 5 more and put them away,and occasionally test out the last box.

I cannot imagine having less than 4 or 5 boxes of these on hand..........

[spicycorona]

My last box purchased around March is just coming around after 6 months rest. I've smoked about 4 and only the last one was decent. I probably won't touch another one until next spring. The first couple boxes I bought were pretty good young (late 00's box code yr).

[Coolio]

I've only been into these the last 6 months, and am loving them. Had about a years age on them. I've kept 5 aside in my 'don't touch' section, and hopefully can keep them for a few years to try for this caramel and milk chocolate a couple of you have mentioned above.