How important is resting before first smoke?

[GVan]

A lot of very good advice above - all that I would add is reinforcement on resting / aging is essential to most CC's.  Even more great advice from experienced CC smokers spread throughout the pages of FOH - search a topic and find multiple posts of wisdom.  The only addition I did not see above that I consistently follow is after whatever period of resting you subscribe too (mine is 90 to 120 days) try one and then if not ready -- try one every 6 months until they reach smoking perfection for your tastes.  I follow this suggestion religiously.  My JL2's reached very good and entered my regular smoking rotation at about 3 years and will have the legs to still go a long way.  My JL1's are not yet ready after 4 years of resting / aging but getting better every 6 months when I try one.  Since my JL2's and other CC's  are "Ready", I have time to let the JL1's keep aging away.  This really is a hobby about patience!