Aging Cigars for Optimal Results

Do you really have to age all of your cigars? Actually, this is an interesting issue, and enthusiasts are torn over the best way to enjoy a cigar. There are some varieties that should be smoked when they are fresh, and will in fact completely reject all efforts at aging and mellowing. For instance, those known as the Maduros are often extremely resistant to aging due to their thick and cured wrappers. The larger ring-gauge cigars, however, tend to do quite nicely in the aging process. There are others that can also benefit greatly from the practice, and investing in a special or individual cigar humidor for such varieties may be a good idea.

While many enthusiasts pay strict attention to identifying the best cigars on the market and building up a collection of their own special favorites, they should also be considering the use of a few humidors to create a collection of vintage cigars too. This means that they will have to wait at least a year or more to sample the results of their efforts, but if it is done properly, they can convert what was an overpowering aroma or taste into a subtle and far more enjoyable one.

It is significant to note, however, that even the right choice of cigar will go bad if the conditions are not monitored closely. For example, wide fluctuations in temperature and humidity will cause the tobacco and the wrapper to expand and contract, which leads to cracking and spoilage. For this reason it is a good idea to decide upon the mix of humidity and temperatures to be used for the long-term storage process, and then monitor these settings as closely as possible. Most enthusiasts hope to keep cigars at seventy percent humidity in a seventy degree setting for at least one full year to get the best results.

If the box of cigars does indeed seem like a good one for aging, the conditions should be geared at the standard seventy-seventy mix. This is a roughly seventy percent humidity at seventy degrees Fahrenheit setting for the course of the aging period. The process should last at least a full year for best results, and a closely watched schedule should be created.

Are there any varieties that should not be aged? Any cigar that has an overwhelming aroma might greatly benefit from an aging and mellowing process, but the Maduros types with their cured wrappers tend to be impervious to all efforts at aging and mellowing. It is always advisable to sample one or two fresh cigars from any box to determine whether an aging process might be of some benefit.

Dave Sabot is the owner of an online specialty cigar lighters store. With expert knowledge of cigar accessories, including torch lighters, Dave also owns a premier online humidors store.

Share and Enjoy: