Non Cuban Cigars don't age? Agree, disagree...your thoughts.

[Havanaaddict]

I have not had a NC in 20 years but back when I was smoking and putting them down I found that the Padron X000 series would start to taste like the 1964. Also the VSGs & OpusX always held there own, along with the AF 858 SG!

 

[Çnote]

12 hours ago, Wlu1988 said:

Paul Garmirian

Another great brand I forget about due to availability. These have more than likely aged until they show the richness of PLPC and Dieux without waiting, and dirt cheap for what they are. Show up with a box of these and be the hero.

[bmac]

The good ones get better. I smoked a AF Unnamed Reserve today that was rolled in 2016. Unreal-sublime and more potent than when I purchased them 4 years ago. Pale wrappers have blossomed into dark and oily.

[SCgarman]

I really disliked the bundle of Spada Gorda when they first arrived. The cigar has evolved and become enjoyable. Smoked one Saturday evening. Perhaps a year of resting has helped the blend evolve and marry into something really good. They have definitely changed.

[Capn_Jackson]

19 hours ago, Çnote said:

@Capn_Jackson these!

I’ve still got some Padron 1926 with a few years or more on them. I enjoy them. Very smooth.

Illusione Fume d’Amour have been great with years on them. I still have some from a 2015 box, and they’re excellent. I also have some Illusione Original Documents robustos, and Haut 10, about four years old and smoking great.

Don Carlos. Some Tats. Definitely Viaje, especially the Oro line. 

[griller]

I agree with others here that the Illusione Epernay line does age well, along with a box of Holy Lance (Lancero size) that are evolving nicely. So far the Nudie Carlota and Lancero bundles I picked up a few years ago have also aged well. Although I LOVE the Leaf By Oscar Corojo line when fresh, I've found that aging them has been less productive. Going forward I'll smoke them fresh.

[BrightonCorgi]

It's like wine, some can age, some cannot.  Had twenty year old Hemingway's that were great and 6 year old Avo's that smoked like rice paper.

[GVan]

Agree with many of the points above -- some NC's (probably because of their blends - I agree with @El Presidente) age spectacularly.  Some do not age well.  As others have said that's also true for CC's - I've got a box of 2018 Partagas Shorts that I'm still trying one every 6 months and I believe this box may never come around.  One of my top ten cigars of all time was a 15 year old Padron A - wow!

Right now the best examples of aging on NC's in my collection are:

• Ashton VSG's - the Torpedo's from 2009 are now all gone as they were spectacular. Smoked the last one on New Year's day.  I'm aging some Churchills from 2021 and probably won't touch them for another 3 to 4 years. just like some CC's; 5 to 7 years and beyond is their sweet spot.
• Aging Room Quattro Concerto's from 2018 are a real treat in my rotation.  I've been hitting them for about a year and the chocolate has become much more pronounced.
• Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2021 LE's - the pepper is now minuscule allowing the roasted mushroom flavors to shine.  Often, I'll say to a smoking friend have you ever gotten mushroom flavors off of a cigar - when they smile and say no - I hand them one of these.
• Padron 1926's # 35's from 2011 and 2014 are a real treat.  As someone said above they have mellowed and you can really differentiate the leather and earth flavors from the bread, almonds and chocolate flavors - the 2014's are the better box.
• Oliva Serie V's Lancero's from 2019 - the ones that came 36 to a box - now have evolved to a pronounced nutty pistachio flavor; verified by several cigar smoking friends.  That flavor was not present when young.
• One of the best NC aging examples is Tatuaje Black Labels.  These can be found at very reasonable prices that allow you to put away a few boxes and forget about them.  The 2017 Petite Lancero's came around in 2023 and have mellowed into sweet leather, earth. expresso coffee with almost no black pepper.  These are the only aged NC's I've ever tasted that can come close to a Boli CJ!  The only pepper I get is a slight cayenne aftertaste on the finish that is enjoyable.  I have 2 - 2023 boxes of corona gordas that will continue aging and I will begin trying one every 6 months about 2028 / 2029.
• Lastly, I have some Southern Draw Fraternal White and Blues from 2021 and they are not ready to smoke yet.  I've got 3 boxes of SD Kudzu Lustrom's Lonsdales' (Nicaraguan Medio-Tiempo, Ometepe and NC fillers) a limited release from 2021 that already had 5-years of tobacco aging on them when shipped.  Reviews by the Katman gave it 100 points after 2 years of additional aging in 2023.  I'm still waiting and think these will be spectacular when the tobacco hits the ten year point about 2028.

There are others that I could mention, but the closest to home example is the 2021 Puro Desnudo Carlota's that are on 🔥🔥🔥 and continue to evolve.  Wish I had more of the Maduro Lancero's!!!

[Capn_Jackson]

6 hours ago, GVan said:

2021 Puro Desnudo Carlota's that are on 🔥🔥🔥 and continue to evolve.  Wish I had more of the Maduro Lancero's!!!

Forgot to mention these! I still have several 2021 Carlota’s, as well as 2021 lanceros in both maduro and rosado. All of them smoke great right now, and I’m so glad I held some back.