Does Freezing Effect Taste?

[mustang1]

Before the Search Gestapo comes out yes I did and did not find a sufficient answer to this particular query. Save for one about an experiment with dry ice that offered some interesting results but left me wanting.

What are the opinions of the jungle. What have been the botl/sotl's experiences.

I know some freeze every stogie they buy, but unless one knows what that particular smoke tastes like pre-freeze, how does one know what they are missing?

If the flavor is indeed altered, is it a temporary thing, will it return with time?

I'm smoking an Anejo now that I froze and I swear it tastes just slightly different. The finish isn't quite the same. It seems shorter and then a tad bitter. Maybe it's in my head.

Opinions?

[muziq]

I've seen no change in flavors; I've had smokes prior and after freezing, and aside from what I'd characterize as the natural profile changes that take place in aging a cigar, I notice no difference or loss of flavor/enjoyment due to freezing. YMMV, though...

[RGD]

Originally Posted by mustang1

. . .

I'm smoking an Anejo now that I froze and I swear it tastes just slightly different. The finish isn't quite the same. It seems shorter and then a tad bitter. Maybe it's in my head.

Opinions?

It could be a number of things - from what you ate or drank to how you are feeling at the moment or even the smoke itself - but freezing will not change the taste. I did a boat load of test tasting when I use to freeze all of my smokes and I can rest assured that there is zero change.

I now use a freezer as my humidor set at 68 degrees - so I don't feel the need to freeze anymore.

Ron

[dantzig]

How long did you let it recover after taking it out of the freezer? I recently froze an Anejo and then smoked it. The burn was funky because I don't think I allowed to recover for long enough but the taste was just like the other 2 Anejos that I've had.

[wharfrathoss]

i usually let mine set in the humi for a few wks after freezing-JMHO

[Darrell]

Originally Posted by wharfrathoss

i usually let mine set in the humi for a few wks after freezing-JMHO

Same here, they need to re-acclimate to humidity. Since freezing tends to dry them a bit.

[j6ppc]

I froze an icechest full of cigars in dry ice -- a few days post thaw *no* discernible difference in flavor to me at least.
YMMV.

[TideRoll]

I don't regularly freeze, but I've done it to a few sticks, and to an entire box once because I thought I saw a beetle hole. Didn't pick up any odd flavors, but I'd agree with the BOTL who advise some humi-time.

I used a good thick freezer-grade bag, BTW.

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by mustang1

Before the Search Gestapo comes out yes I did and did not find a sufficient answer to this particular query.

The Gestapo has arrived. http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=2898

[mustang1]

Thanks to all that have replied.

I heard an all to familiar knock at my door, it was the Club Stogie Secret Police headed by NCRadioMan.

"Ve have vays of making you search yah?"

Thanks alot brother, missed that one.