Target Age (for aging boxes)

[parabola66]

Pretty simple...

Whats your favorite sticks and how old do you like them before you really dig into the box?

Top 2, 3, 5...?

[TheCigarslayer]

I have so many now I’m more scrambling to remember to smoke stuff or forget I have stuff all together. Could have sworn I just got a box of something then found a 5 year old box 

[El Presidente]

 

From the hip. 

 

PLPC                   5

BBF                   2-3

PLMC                5-7

D4                     2-3

Partagas 898    4-5

Magnum 46      3-5

Monte 2           1-3

MPE                 1-3

RASS               2-3

CORO              3-5

HDMDC            3-5

Dip 2                 2-3

Monte 4            1-3

 

[leapingknown]

Monte #2 (6-8) then the rest 12yrs-15yrs
Boli's (5-6) like them fresh.
Partagas (10yrs at least) do not like fresh.
RASS (10yrs as well)

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[Derboesekoenig]

1 hour ago, leapingknown said:

Monte #2 (6-8) then the rest 12yrs-15yrs
Boli's (5-6) like them fresh.
Partagas (10yrs at least) do not like fresh.
RASS (10yrs as well)

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Wow. You must have the patience of a god, a large bank account, or both

I've been enjoying most stuff with 3-5 yrs on it, but admittedly love some cigars fresher and some aged more than 5. I like variety honestly and I can get that through the aging process. It is quite a treat to have 10-15 year old cigars as well. I guess I just love them all with my ever changing palette (or it seems like it's always changing anyhow).

[renos]

Sorry, maybe a stupid question, or already answered elsewhere, but when you start the process, do you start from the box date or once its in your humi?

[leapingknown]

Wow. You must have the patience of a god, a large bank account, or both
I've been enjoying most stuff with 3-5 yrs on it, but admittedly love some cigars fresher and some aged more than 5. I like variety honestly and I can get that through the aging process. It is quite a treat to have 10-15 year old cigars as well. I guess I just love them all with my ever changing palette (or it seems like it's always changing anyhow).

I've been collecting since I was 25...I'm 55 now. Patience yes. Over abundance yes. I learned when I went to Cuba in 94. Smoked a few cigars that were anywhere from 15-22yrs of age. The best cigar in my life was a 22yr old Monte #2'.
I keep several cabinets full of aging cigars...one is for Freshie (3-5yrs)..one for deep aging 10+). Revamping everything as of now. I do smoke one here and there to check out progress. Smoked a fresh DC when we were at the Partagas factory...it was great.
It's time, commitment, and most of all patience. Love this hobby...lifestyle.
Greg B. "Smoking the Finest Dreams" enjoy

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[leapingknown]

Wow. You must have the patience of a god, a large bank account, or both
I've been enjoying most stuff with 3-5 yrs on it, but admittedly love some cigars fresher and some aged more than 5. I like variety honestly and I can get that through the aging process. It is quite a treat to have 10-15 year old cigars as well. I guess I just love them all with my ever changing palette (or it seems like it's always changing anyhow).

Which ones do you like fresh? I like some of the Sancho's fresh.

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[SigmundChurchill]

Dunhill      29-38

[Chibearsv]

1 hour ago, FrancisK7 said:

Resting period starts when they enter your humidor.

It's often shared on FOH that the ideal rest period is 90 days after receipt. Lots of folks swear by this rule here. Second rule is at least 1 year of age before diving head first into the box, Cohiba being the exception that requires at least 3-5 years.

With respect, I think most here would agree that the resting (acclimatizing) period is required after shipment for 30-90 days mostly to ensure that your cigar has the best chance to burn properly.  I'm not so sure that there is agreement on the preferred aging time based on Marca alone.  I'll speak specifically to your Cohiba example.  I think current CoRos need plenty of time down to smooth out.  On the contrary though, I think Esplendidos are good to go after their initial rest.  They can develop smoother and creamier flavors over time but there's nothing wrong with them right away.

I'm simply pointing out that taste is subjective and I would certainly refer to any opinion on aging as a guideline instead of a rule.  Cheers

[SigmundChurchill]

17 minutes ago, Chibearsv said:

With respect, I think most here would agree that the resting (acclimatizing) period is required after shipment for 30-90 days mostly to ensure that your cigar has the best chance to burn properly.  I'm not so sure that there is agreement on the preferred aging time based on Marca alone.  I'll speak specifically to your Cohiba example.  I think current CoRos need plenty of time down to smooth out.  On the contrary though, I think Esplendidos are good to go after their initial rest.  They can develop smoother and creamier flavors over time but there's nothing wrong with them right away.

I'm simply pointing out that taste is subjective and I would certainly refer to any opinion on aging as a guideline instead of a rule.  Cheers

What is the box code of the Esplendido’s you are smoking from?  My 2017 boxes just started to become good recently.  

I may have to buy a more recent box.

[Chibearsv]

Just now, SigmundChurchill said:

What is the box code of the Esplendido’s you are smoking from?  My 2017 boxes just started to become good recently.  

I may have to buy a more recent box.

I don't have the code but I'm down to one Esplendido out of a box from late 2018.  I've recently tried the first out of a 2019 box (24:24) that was great as well.  I'll report back with the box code on the 2019.

[The Squiggler]

31 minutes ago, FrancisK7 said:

I find there's not much consensus or agreement on any topic regarding cigars

This. 

Plus, as far as aging goes, it's going to vary from box to box as well as from palate to palate... that's why it's important to experiment.  You can follow prez's 'from the hip' suggestions (most here respect his opinion), or you can just try one every 6 months until they're either so good you can't help but smoke more or they just don't seem to be getting any better.  I think some of the most useful tips come from people who have done some deep aging because this gives a clue as to the longevity of certain marcas/vitolas (sort of a 'if it's this good now, imagine how good it will be in 3, 5, 10, etc. years!' scenario)

[leapingknown]

I believe the one exception I think everybody agrees on is that if you buy your cigars in Cuba, you should freeze them when you get home. 
 

I freeze them all...deep freeze. Only had the beetles once back in the early 90's.


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[renos]

Slowly trying to build my stock, right now I have four boxes for aging

Mag 46 box date Jul 18 so I'll dive in next summer as suggested by Prez

Partagas Lusitania, I think I saw most people recommend 3-5

QD 50, 3-5 though I had one which smoked well so I'll try again in 6 months

HDM Ep2, 2-3

 

[BrightonCorgi]

Everything is usually 7+ years old by the time I get into them or a current box code and I cannot help myself.

[Chibearsv]

7 hours ago, SigmundChurchill said:

What is the box code of the Esplendido’s you are smoking from?  My 2017 boxes just started to become good recently.  

I may have to buy a more recent box.

Esplendidos UAO Jul 19. 

[JohnS]

BBF                   2-3

Cohiba              5-10+ (in general, exception for Esplendidos, Lanceros or CoRos within 3 years if smoking well)

H.Upmann         5-10+ (in general, exception for Connossieur A and Sir Winston within 3 years)

PLMC                1-3

PLPC                 5-10

Partagas D4      7-10

Monte 2             1-3

Monte PE          7-10

RASS                7-10

Dip 2                 3-5

Monte 4            1-3

SCdLH El Principe  1-3

RG Perlas         3-5

RG PC              3-5

RyJ Churchill     1-3

[garbandz]

Of course you can smoke anything young and enjoy it.

I compare it to Vintage port.

Of course you can drink a 2017 Vintage Port tonight.

Would you rather have a 1985 ? 1970 ? 1963 ?

Why?

If you are willing to burn a two year old Esplendido,why not burn a two year old Mag 46 instead , and save the Esplendido a couple more years ?

 

 

[Lunettesman]

Interesting topic. I m looking for a guide line marca-time to age on the forum but haven't found one. Although subjective, a guideline would be highly appreciated. 

[TBird55]

8 hours ago, garbandz said:

Of course you can smoke anything young and enjoy it.

I compare it to Vintage port.

Of course you can drink a 2017 Vintage Port tonight.

Would you rather have a 1985 ? 1970 ? 1963 ?

Why?

If you are willing to burn a two year old Esplendido,why not burn a two year old Mag 46 instead , and save the Esplendido a couple more years ?

 

 

Because I may not be here in a couple of years.

 

[BrightonCorgi]

13 minutes ago, Lunettesman said:

Interesting topic. I m looking for a guide line marca-time to age on the forum but haven't found one. Although subjective, a guideline would be highly appreciated. 

There's isn't one with any kind gospel or official backing.  Comes down to the box at hand, not the marca/vitola in general.

 

[SigmundChurchill]

17 hours ago, garbandz said:

Of course you can smoke anything young and enjoy it.

I compare it to Vintage port.

Of course you can drink a 2017 Vintage Port tonight.

Would you rather have a 1985 ? 1970 ? 1963 ?

Why?

If you are willing to burn a two year old Esplendido,why not burn a two year old Mag 46 instead , and save the Esplendido a couple more years ?

Because I don't buy into “More age has to taste better to me.”

Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t.  Once we are out of the initial couple of years, more age has been hit or miss with me.

 

8 hours ago, TBird55 said:

Because I may not be here in a couple of years.

And thats just it.  This could apply to anyone on this board, with varying degrees of certainty, of course.

If something tastes great now, why wait?  Maybe NOW is it’s time.

[El Hoze]

I agree with @Chibearsv on the Esplendidos. I prefer them younger in general too and I smoke more than a few Eplendidos a month. Never been a huge fan of CoRos, partly that I just don’t like robustos. And funny @garbandz I actually like alot of age on my Mag 46. Have a couple of older boxes (old bands) that are some of my favorite cigars right now. Granted they can be good young too. 

[The Squiggler]

2 hours ago, Lunettesman said:

I m looking for a guide line marca-time to age on the forum but haven't found one.

maybe this thread is your 'guide'.  A lot of suggestions/opinions already from some experienced folks (some conflicting, of course, but that should help solidify in your mind that there is no simple answer to 'how long should I age this?').