How come you don't see more posts about aged NCs?

[Ashcan Bill]

I've got a few unopened boxes of NC's shoved to the back that I'm not planning on messing with for at least another 4 or 5 years, maybe longer. More of an experiment than anything else. I believe I have a box of Pepin Blues, a box of Don Carlos and some LFD Double Lingero Maduros back there somewhere. Maybe a couple of others.

I've read plenty of posts about how NC's don't benefit from age, while CC's do. Doesn't make any sense to me in the least. It's like saying French and California wines age well, but Australian wines don't. If there's one thing I've discovered with the cigar hobby, there doesn't appear to be any shortage of preconceived notions floating around. Maybe I just prefer to find things out the hard way.

I do know a couple of weeks ago I found a Fuente Privada No. 1 Maduro in one of the humis that had been there 2 or 3 years. Plain ol' green band Fuente. I fired it up, and was very surprised to find this inexpensive unassuming smoke to be much smoother and more balanced than I remembered. I had to wonder what it would be like in another few years? (Still have a few so I'll find out.) On the other hand, Padrons I have from the same time period are still pretty much as I remember them. My hunch is it just depends on the cigar.

[krisko]

I think the main reason CCs are more likely to be stored for a while is already stated. Many of them are absolute crap when smoked fresh. Another reason is the nature of the enthusiast. There are enthusiasts on both sides of the aisle (and in the middle, like me), but most would agree the hardcore guys are collecting CCs. The third reason is money...CC enthusiasts likely have more disposable income to collecting and store cigars for a decade.

I have to say I'm impressed with the stories I read about guys waiting 5 and 6 years to crack open a box of Lusi's or Boli's. I love cigars but I have neither the patience nor the funds to go that overboard. My plan is to acquire high quality NCs (like the Padrons I got from addiction, thanks) and get middle-of-the-road CCs that I know smoke well fresh. Then I'll bury the occasional box of 8-9-8s or Monte #2s in the bottom of the cooler if I can find 'em on discount.

[Addiction]

Originally Posted by ScottishSmoker

I have found that if you put a years worth of time on the La Aurora Cien Anos, it loses that "ashy" taste and mellows out really well...On the AF Anejos, they are very one dimensional after three years...a boring 1 dimiensional...as far as 1964 Padrons...Have to smoke them fresh..they lose everything over time

I agree on almost all these points, the only difference being I really love an Anejo in the 1-3 year age range.

[Addiction]

Originally Posted by scoot

......As for me, when I get a chance and some room I'm gonna lay down a box of AVO smokes. I haven't quite made up my mind as to what series or vitola, but I would certainly love it to be the 787 Perfecto.

That would be my candidate too if I were going to age some Avos. I had some LE08 down, but I'm thinking of just smoking those. So far the older Avos I've had (Avo 22s, LE05s) have not seemed to have shown much benefit from their time down.

[Addiction]

Originally Posted by Ashcan Bill

........
I've read plenty of posts about how NC's don't benefit from age, while CC's do. Doesn't make any sense to me in the least. It's like saying French and California wines age well, but Australian wines don't. .......

Its exactly like saying that, which as I understand it wine people do say. Its supposedly well known that all wines will get better with some age, but only some wines can get above a certain level and become "great" wines. Thats a very accepted philosophy.

I've had some aged NCs, some seem slightly better (Opus) some seem measurably better (Anejo) while some seem to lose something in less than a year (1926, 1964). I think there must be some NC candidates that can improve with age I just opened the topic because its rare that I see posts on it, or reviews of say a 2005 1964 Imperial.

[cbsmokin]

My cigars are aging by default, I have more than I can smoke in a lifetime. While I do think most smokes benefit from 2 to 6 months of rest, I don't really see an improvement in most NC after that. I really think mostly this just has to do with stabilization. By that I mean having the smokes be well taken care of for a consistent amount of time to undo any damage prior to arrival in my humi.

For me this holds especially true for Padron Anni's. Smoke em when you get them because they don't get better, if anything they gradually decline and on the other hand my Oliva G's seem to have a strong ammonia taste fresh and tend to get better with some age, but I don't have any past about 8 months so I can not form a long term opinion.

FWIW if I am going to make room to age something I would rather it be CC because almost without exception they improve.

That's my and that's really about all it is worth.

[Big Dawg]

Originally Posted by cbsmokin

For me this holds especially true for Padron Anni's. Smoke em when you get them because they don't get better, if anything they gradually decline...

Wow, not in my experience. I had a 1 and a half year old PAM Imperial Maduro last week that was definitely more tasty to me than having a fresh one, although I'd gladly have either! Last night I enjoyed a Padron 2000 which had about 2 1/2 years of age on it. I must say that it too was a treat. In my experience, not every cigar benefits from aging, but most of the smokes that I have aged fortunately have.

[fizguy]

I'll take the "blueface approach" to this one:

I don't like to talk about how much I am aging...it makes me sad.

[Blueface]

Always an interesting topic indeed.
Many of you know my dad's thoughts on this subject along with that of many old school Cubans in the cigar business.
They think aging is nuts.
They have their reasons.
Primarily, tastes vary.
They will repeatedly tell you a cigar is meant to be smoked fresh.
The aging is in the curing.
Once cured and rolled, the intent is to be enjoyed while the oils are still fresh.
However, some acquired a taste for aged cigars.
That aging really means it tones down.
That doesn't make it better and can be argued it doesn't make it worse, depending on your personal tastes.
It just means the taste toned down and some seem to prefer that "toned" down taste.

Originally Posted by sikk50

What I was told is that since the tobacco is aged prior to rolling NC's (not as common with CC's) they dont require as much aging. That they actualy will benifit more from just a couple years of age than with decades where they become bland.

NC's and CC's are entirely different animals.

Not totally true. Many Cubans are now being cured longer yet folks still want to age them.

Originally Posted by scoot

I think it has a lot to do with the status quo as far as CC aging versus NC. I mean that so far as aging CCs is so widespread that its almost a non-question and considered a necessary step in order to get the most out of their cigar.

I guess you can say "most" but a matter of opinion as you actually get "less" out of the cigar by aging it in terms of the potency as originally blended to be.

Originally Posted by TripleF

I haven't been smoking all that long and all of the aged NC's I have received are not any better (IMHO) than the ones fresh out of the store. And actually I've had more burn problems with aged NC's.

But all in all, I don't think aging enhances NC's.

Fascinates me that there would be such a difference.

Originally Posted by Ashcan Bill

I've got a few unopened boxes of NC's shoved to the back that I'm not planning on messing with for at least another 4 or 5 years, maybe longer. More of an experiment than anything else. I believe I have a box of Pepin Blues, a box of Don Carlos and some LFD Double Lingero Maduros back there somewhere. Maybe a couple of others.

I've read plenty of posts about how NC's don't benefit from age, while CC's do. Doesn't make any sense to me in the least. It's like saying French and California wines age well, but Australian wines don't. If there's one thing I've discovered with the cigar hobby, there doesn't appear to be any shortage of preconceived notions floating around. Maybe I just prefer to find things out the hard way.

Give that man a cigar.

Originally Posted by krisko

I think the main reason CCs are more likely to be stored for a while is already stated. Many of them are absolute crap when smoked fresh.

Sad statement.
Let's go nuts ordering stuff you shouldn't buy due to laws, knowing they are crap and that you have to store them for years to finally enjoy, although truly intended to be enjoyed right away.

For the record, I swing both ways on this topic. Like the taste of both aged and non aged. Nothing like mixing things up a bit. However, no way I can ever sit on a box more than it takes to empty it out.

[krisko]

Originally Posted by Blueface

Sad statement.
Let's go nuts ordering stuff you shouldn't buy due to laws, knowing they are crap and that you have to store them for years to finally enjoy, although truly intended to be enjoyed right away.

I didn't mean to hurt any feelings, just speaking my mind. A monte #2 or Ramon Allones does nothing for me when fresh. They burn terribly, very tight draw, they can't stay lit. I would rather smoke a Perdomo Lot 23 (for 3 bucks) off the truck than either of those cigars with a month in the humi.

I hear what you're saying though. I love the Bolivar Coronas Extra fresh even though some think it's too spicy and needs some age. I've never had an aged one but if I'm in the mood I'll smoke two fresh CEs back to back.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by krisko

I didn't mean to hurt any feelings, just speaking my mind.

No feelings hurt at all.
Actually a great statement on your part.
I just commented on the irony of it that although true, sad/funny.

[cre8v1]

Originally Posted by Blueface

For the record, I swing both ways.

Um, Carlos.... is there something you want to tell us????

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by cre8v1

Um, Carlos.... is there something you want to tell us????

FREAKING PHOTOS!!!
They always come back to haunt you.

[mikeyj23]

Originally Posted by cre8v1

Um, Carlos.... is there something you want to tell us????

Carlos - I hadn't realized this information until now. I wanted to let you know that we're very accepting of all lifestyles down here in Tejas, and I wanted to volunteer that while none of the rest of us are into it, we could have your herf in July at a strip club called Master Blaster - just for you.

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by Blueface

FREAKING PHOTOS!!!
They always come back to haunt you.

At least the ones of me are photoshopped. I can think of a few others of you that are just classic.

"Drunk guitar hero"
"The Morning After" w/Bill

just to name a couple.