Best cigars for aging - Can a cheap cigar + age = a good/great cigar?

[Dgar]

Originally Posted by srduggins

I'm no expert, but you might as well start by looking at the best bundle thread. Seems like some of them are much better in 6 months to a year.

If I had to pick one I would go with the Padron 2000 Maduro. Only $3.20 a stick at CI. Mostly from what I've heard, but I tried my first one last night with a year of age and it was pretty darn good. Definitely something I'll be looking for in the future.

I have a box of Padron 2000 from 06, I'm thinking a box of the padron Londres would be another good box of inexpensive cigars worth putting down for a couple years.

[Andyman]

I have some original release Padron 64's. They are flat and thin and way past their prime!

[stfoley]

I've had decent luck mildly aging (well more like conditioning) my Andros Chruchills. After two months in the humidor, they picked up some flavor from the cedar it seems...and seem to be smoother than they were right out of the bundle.

Basically, it made a $1 cigar a $1.50 cigar....not great but not bad really

[presidentbryce]

Originally Posted by Scud

I'll give ya my take on it, for what it's worth.

I'm feeling that for the best aging, the leaf is the most important aspect. Being too dry when it's originally made will offset proper aging as will if the cigar is too packed with tobacco. If a cigar is bad after 6 months in a humidor, it's not going to get better. The more oils on the leaf will also help with aging. I also think proper humidity and temp control is crucial.

Some cigars don't do anything with age. Gurkhas will, in my experience, be the same after 30 days that they are in a year or more. Flor de Olivas age amazingly well with a year or more. There's probably a point at which aging is finished, but I haven't found any in my assortment that have a year or more on them that have stopped getting better with age.

Thanks for the helpful comment Scud. This is the info that I'm looking for. To quote TXMatt:

"A dog rocket like a Cremosa isn't going to improve no matter how long you age it, but I think "so so" cigars are worth setting aside to age if you have the space in your humidor."

Aging for me starts when the stick arrives at my doorstep. If it's not ready to smoke right away, I get impatient. If I'm going to wait a month or six just to find out that the cigar is acclimatized but still tastes horrible, then it is a waste of time and money at any price. What I'm looking for is cigars that we can get a deal on because they are "green" or "wet", and do the aging ourselves. If I can buy a bundle of Flor de Olivas for $40 and I have it on a fellow BOTL's word that it is worth the wait, then I can be patient.

I bought a bundle of Super Premium 2nds from CI (suppose to be Punch seconds) and they just get better and better with age. I don't know what made most of them a second, but they definitely have just gotten better and I definitely don't regret now that I bought them. I just wish someone had told me not to even bother trying to smoke one for the first month.

For example:
I see in my latest CI catalog that Perdome is selling what they call "Fresh-Rolled" wheels for $80. At 1.60 a stick for a genuine, first (not second) Perdomo this compares quite favorably to $4 for a Perdomo Champagne, Golf, or Habano. According to the catalog the tobacco is already aged but they are rolled and shipped right away. The catalog also says that they will get much milder if they are aged. So... is that a good thing in this particular case? Maybe a year from now they will be too mild.

There is alot of good advice on how to age cigars, but what cigars?

[taltos]

Originally Posted by Legend

"you can't polish a turd"

You obviously did not watch last week's Mythbusters on polishing turds. As far as the original question, I have had good luck letting the following rest for about a year:
JDN Antano
Fire Corojo
Fire Maduro
Indian Tomahawk
Gran Habano #5
Indian Super Fuerte
I find that 5Vegas Series A need at least 6 months rest to become smokeable.
Oliva Serie G Maduros benefit from 8 months to a year's rest.

Others such as Sancho Panza Extra Fuerte seem to lose something after too long a rest.

[soundman85]

I would just like to say that this information is INVALUABLE to a noob like me. Keep them coming!! And THANKS for this thread!

[mkimbler]

taltos,

I agree with you about the 5Vegas Serie A and the Oliva Serie G maduros. I have some of both with about a year on them. A distinct improvement!

Originally Posted by taltos

You obviously did not watch last week's Mythbusters on polishing turds. As far as the original question, I have had good luck letting the following rest for about a year:
JDN Antano
Fire Corojo
Fire Maduro
Indian Tomahawk
Gran Habano #5
Indian Super Fuerte
I find that 5Vegas Series A need at least 6 months rest to become smokeable.
Oliva Serie G Maduros benefit from 8 months to a year's rest.

Others such as Sancho Panza Extra Fuerte seem to lose something after too long a rest.