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

[presidentbryce]

During a downturn in the economy like right now, everyone is looking for a good deal. With a possible tobacco tax hike looming would it be a good idea to stock up on cigars that age well?

Alright, here is the challenge. Using our collective knowledge, can we assemble a list of cigars for the long haul and answer the question "Can a cheap cigar + age = a good/great cigar?"

Here's what I've found out so far from another thread here on Club Stogie:

TXMatt:

I have had good cigars decline and not so good develop into solid sticks with age. I haven't found a consistant pattern though to make a definitive decision one way or another.

An example of a "so-so" cigar that really shines after 5 years is La Finca. A 5 year old La Finca impressed Seangar so much that he started experimenting with "cooking" these to try to age them more quickly.

There are few enough (different brands and sizes) Cuban cigars that people can discuss and track which years are good in which vitolas, and converse on their specific sick periods. I believe ALL cigars have sick periods and there is little to no information available when it occurs in tobacco other than Cuban. It should be much easier to determine sick periods in puros versus multi nation blends. Due to varied beginning and ending points for sick periods in tobacco from multiple nations, I suspect the sick period in multi nation blends is significantly longer than Cuban cigars and other puros.

I believe a few diehard Opus fans can tell you good years and determine sick periods.

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.

So in regards to your Domincan or Honduran Bolivar specifically; they may or may not improve with age. IMO since both are multi nation blends they have the potential for a lengthy sick period and an improvement could be perceived multiple times.

It is something that someone with a lot more time and energy than I have could document..

-Matt-

Original thread here: http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthr...t=cigars+aging

Thank You Matt for the great info! So La Finca is the first cigar on our list. Here are the rules for suggestions:

1. The cheap cigar must be under $3.00 or give a good reason why the extra initial expense is worth it.

2. How long do you have to age it? Talk from your personal experience with the stick. Did it go through a "sick" period?

3. How long was the "sweet spot"? From a thread at cigarpass:


It was my experience that six months made them much better (they were talking about some RP Seconds) but then, month by month, they started losing the spicy quality. By the time they were over a year old, this was very noticeable.

Some may like it but I liked the "in your face" spiciness.

Steve


I agree 100%... give them just enough time to stablize in the humi and then smoke them fast. I find this goes for most of RP's products. They are a not a cigar to stock up on to let age.

4. Most importantly, was it worth it? So maybe you aged that dog rocket for 6 months and then you were barely able to choke it down? Perhaps you bought a stick for $2 only to let it age for 5 years and it was comparable to another stick that you had that was in the $3 range. Let us know.

On a side note, thanks for all the great info from my fellow BOTL. You have all been a great help to a newbie on a budget.

[dannysguitar]

Great Thread! I'm interested in some of your suggestions!

[Stonefox]

I think that the aging potential of any cigar depends on the quality of the leaf that goes into making it. Like you said, if you start with i.e Cremosa, it not going to turn into a good smoke no matter what you do to it. Quality in = quality out, generally speaking

[Smokin Gator]

The first thing that comes to mind is the old saying "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!!"

[bobarian]

1) Allowing a cigar to rest for 6 months to a year is not aging. Generally aging is considered to be for a longer period of time.
2) Most NC's do not go through a "Sick Period" as they are primarily made of aged tobacco. Resting time allows humidity to stabilize and in some cases(Pepin's, Opus) for flavors to mellow.

[macster]

Originally Posted by Smokin Gator

The first thing that comes to mind is the old saying "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!!"

....or another one of my favorites, "you can't polish a sneaker." (but then again they don't call them "sneakers" anymore, do they?)

[Cigar Hound]

Originally Posted by macster

....or another one of my favorites, "you can't polish a sneaker." (but then again they don't call them "sneakers" anymore, do they?)

and yet another...."You can't make chicken salad out of chicken SH*T!"

[kansashat]

If we were privy to the actual blend of a cigar (what leaves were used; ligero, seco, volado), we might better be able to "guess" whether or not it is worth aging.

As it is, we have only the input of our fellow smokers to go on. That's one of the reasons I listen carefully to txmatt, & other friends.

Here is a link to some good info though...

http://www.tobacconistuniversity.org...apm-seeds2.asp

[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.

[MarbleApe]

If you bought a 1984 Yugo and put it in storage, tomorrow it will still only be a 1984 Yugo.

[Legend]

Difference between a $2 and $3 cigar is already marginal. So sure but why.

As far as aging turning a dog rocket into a good great cigar.

"you can't polish a turd"

[ucla695]

It's a waste of time to age dog rockets. I'd be able to give more input if you increased the $ range by a buck or two.

[Gromulin]

If I were going to try aging some dog rockets, I'd put them in a seperate humi...probably more chance of a critter breakout with el cheapos, IMAO.

[Cigary]

Originally Posted by Cigar Hound

and yet another...."You can't make chicken salad out of chicken SH*T!"

Lol,,,I'm stealing that line.

[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.