Cigar Aging Guide

Purpose

This guide educates staff on cigar aging principles to help customers make informed purchasing and storage decisions. Understanding the principles of aging enhances customers' appreciation of premium cigars and builds confidence in long-term cigar collecting.

Storage Prerequisites

Before aging cigars, proper cigar storage conditions must be maintained. Refer to the Cigar Storage Guide for complete details. Quick reference:

Temperature: 68-70°F

Humidity: 70% RH

Stable, controlled environment

Why Age Cigars?

We wholeheartedly subscribe to the theory that aging has a critical impact on a cigar's body and flavor.

Initial Stabilization (Essential):

- Allows cigars to dry and stabilize after rolling

- Greatly improves flavor, burn, and draw

- Takes 4-8 weeks depending on ambient climate

Long-Term Aging (Enhancement):

- Allows blend flavors to meld and mellow

- Creates a more harmonious smoke

- Enhances complexities and nuances

Strength Tempering:

Aging is especially beneficial for stronger cigars. Many full-bodied blends possess richness and depth that milder cigars cannot achieve, but their youthful bite can overpower the palate. Aging allows the bite to fade while preserving robust, intricate flavors.

Important Limitations

Cigars Don't Age Forever:

Every cigar eventually hits a peak, then declines. Over-aging is as problematic as under-aging.

The Younger, The More Dramatic:

3 months makes a huge difference to fresh cigars, while 3 months is negligible for 5-year-old cigars.

Quality Matters:

Only age quality cigars made from properly cured tobacco. Aging cannot fix inferior cigars.

Aging Timeline

These aging timelines are guidelines - each box responds differently to aging.

Fresh Roll (0-4 Weeks)

Smoke immediately if you desire the "chincales" (fresh off the rolling table) flavor profile.

Minimum Rest (6 Months - 1 Year)

- 6 months minimum for milder blends

- 1 year minimum for stronger blends

Without exception, cigars smoke better with at least a year of age.

Early Peak (1-2 Years)

Good time to smoke heavier Nicaraguan and Honduran cigars. Peak period for most Dominicans. Peak for most light-bodied smokes.

Prime Period (2-5 Years)

Peak years for most cigars. Fuller-bodied cigars age better over longer durations. Stronger cigars (Bolivar, Ashton VSG, many Havanas) shine in this window. This applies to full-strength cigars regardless of origin.

Maximum Aging (7-10 Years)

Our maximum for almost all cigars. Beyond this, most become too mellow and pale in body.

Vintage Territory (10+ Years)

Many cigars become flat and uninteresting. Some develop unique, prized characteristics:

- Musty smell and snuff-like taste

- "Stinky cheese-like smell" (similar to Stilton cheese) - highly valued by collectors

Rarely maintain quantitative strength. Only the fullest-bodied cigars remain worthwhile.

Best Practices for Customers

How to Track Aging:

Smoke one cigar periodically from an aging box. Take detailed tasting notes. Monitor for improvement. When improvement stops, consider them ready to enjoy.

Selling Point:

Time transforms good cigars into great cigars. While manufacturers ship cigars ready to smoke, long-term aging is a luxury embraced by connoisseur smokers.

Industry Note

Many cigar makers dismiss long-term aging benefits - understandably, as it's not in their interest to retain inventory after manufacture. They're correct that their cigars are ready to smoke upon shipping. However, we strongly believe that time allows good cigars to become great cigars. Long-term aging isn't for average smokers, but rather a luxury for connoisseurs.

Remember: This document provides general guidelines. Individual results vary. Always maintain proper storage conditions throughout the aging process.