Thread: What cigar did you smoke today?

I'm going to show my ignorance now. There's a lot of talk of letting the cigars "age". Don't they grow poorer in quality with time? (Don't they have to stay fresh?). Or do you mean ageing in a humidor? In that case, what does aging do?
Also, I'm sure there was talk somewhere here of cigars that were really old (20 years plus). Are we talking all that time in a humidor?
Finally, years ago when I smoked cigarettes I kept them in the freezer to keep them fresh. What would happen to cigars on the freezer? Totally destroyed?

Originally Posted by Raulski

I'm going to show my ignorance now. There's a lot of talk of letting the cigars "age". Don't they grow poorer in quality with time? (Don't they have to stay fresh?). Or do you mean ageing in a humidor? In that case, what does aging do?
Also, I'm sure there was talk somewhere here of cigars that were really old (20 years plus). Are we talking all that time in a humidor?
Finally, years ago when I smoked cigarettes I kept them in the freezer to keep them fresh. What would happen to cigars on the freezer? Totally destroyed?

A cigar has to be "maintained" to stay fresh. This means being kept (typically) between 60-70 degrees ferenheight and between 65-75 percent humidity. Most of the time this is done in a cedar lined humidor, but it can be done in a plastic bag (literally a zip-lock style bag).

By keeping the cigars at a good temperature and humidity level it keeps the tobacco moist and flexible, so the tobacco will not fall apart into cigarette tobacco. The cedar (typically Spanish cedar) also helps keep fungus/mold from growing on the tobacco. The cedar can help "age" the tobacco too.

Aging cigars can help "mellow" and enhance the flavor of the tobacco. Much like a properly aged scotch or wine. If it is poorly aged then it tastes like trash (keeping this G rated).

If you put cigars in a freezer you will turn the moisture into ice, effectively dehydrating the tobacco. The ice will also cut the tobacco leaves which will turn them into cigarette filing. A "true" cigar is made from full leaves. The filler is full leaves, the binder (which hold the center filler) is a full leaf (actually half a leaf, torn from top to bottom along the vein) and the wrapper is another half leaf (torn from top to bottom along the center vein). By comparison, cigarette tobacco is tobacco leaves put through a grinder (much like a coffee grinder) then poured into paper rolls.

If a cigar is kept at the right temperature and humidity levels, in a "clean" environment, they can last many years. Some people have legal Cuban cigars here in the U.S.A., dating back pre embargo (pre 1960's). I am told that they taste great. I MIGHT make enough money in my lifetime to afford one cigar but I am not going to hold my breath.

I hope that I have addressed your questions and that it makes sense. Enjoy!!

You did
So a cigar will last indefinitely if stored under the right conditions. Zip lock bag is good to know as I smoke so seldom (& don't own a humidor) that I always purchase the cigar the day I intend to smoke it.

Originally Posted by Raulski

Finally, years ago when I smoked cigarettes I kept them in the freezer to keep them fresh. What would happen to cigars on the freezer? Totally destroyed?

In all seriousness, not a good idea at all.

Tom pretty much nailed it, but IMHO opinion a baggie is the last option.

Go to your local cigar monger and see if they have any old cigar boxes they are willing to part with. Take some of the Spanish cedar out and, if so inclined, drill some holes in the bottom of it. Grab an airtight container (Tupperware...or similar) and place the Spanish cedar on the on the bottom, create a standoff between the Spanish cedar and the bottom on the container to allow for a Boveda pack.

Give that a go!

Hey Fellas !
+ temps here today finally wooooo hooooo!
Cigar smoking weather is on its way !!!

Originally Posted by Mcbladescar

Hey Fellas !
+ temps here today finally wooooo hooooo!
Cigar smoking weather is on its way !!!

We have been blessed with + temps here in AB as well...

...which makes me seriously paranoid that when the other boot drops, it is going to be seriously nasty.

Regardless, took the opportunity to enjoy a Brickhouse Maduro on Saturday...so overdue.

Originally Posted by Raulski

You did
So a cigar will last indefinitely if stored under the right conditions. Zip lock bag is good to know as I smoke so seldom (& don't own a humidor) that I always purchase the cigar the day I intend to smoke it.

Just to be clear - a ziplock bag with a little bit of damp paper towel inside will work for a couple of weeks, but beyond that, no. You'll want tupperware at min, after that.

If you really don't smoke often - buying when you are smoking, is a better deal.

As for resting and aging cigars - resting is usually considered keeping a cigar in your humi for under a year. Aging over a year at min. The cigars you smoke at your B&M I can say with almost 100% certainty, have rested for at least a month before being put into the humi for sale. Why? Cigars are little sponges, and they don't travel all that well. Letting them rest allows for equilibrium giving you the most the cigar can offer.

Aging can and does work - it allows the leafs/oils to meld into a more "balanced" smoke. The "transitions" aren't as harsh. But yeah - not all cigars age well. Good cigars, for example Padrons, have already aged and don't need more (rest yes). Liga's from Drew Estate uses aged tobacco as well, and have been known to dull with age.

Aging is a throwback to Cuban Cigars which used tobacco's that were never aged and REALLY benefited from aging.

No cigar will go "bad" if aged correctly - and many do well with aging (illusione's). I age many of mine. But be wary of very expensive non - Cuban cigars - many use aged tobacco's and can lose flavour after a couple of years in the humi.

Don't hold onto a smoke for the sake of holding on to it is what I am saying. If you are going to age - buy at least ten and smoke one a year to make sure the stick ages well... take my word for it . On the flip side, don't give away harsh cigars if they aren't smoking well the first 12 months. You never know - I have some that have just bloomed into beauties!! And I curse the day I gave a bunch away lol!!

Originally Posted by earcutter

Just to be clear - a ziplock bag with a little bit of damp paper towel inside will work for a couple of weeks, but beyond that, no. You'll want tupperware at min, after that.

If you really don't smoke often - buying when you are smoking, is a better deal.

As for resting and aging cigars - resting is usually considered keeping a cigar in your humi for under a year. Aging over a year at min. The cigars you smoke at your B&M I can say with almost 100% certainty, have rested for at least a month before being put into the humi for sale. Why? Cigars are little sponges, and they don't travel all that well. Letting them rest allows for equilibrium giving you the most the cigar can offer.

Aging can and does work - it allows the leafs/oils to meld into a more "balanced" smoke. The "transitions" aren't as harsh. But yeah - not all cigars age well. Good cigars, for example Padrons, have already aged and don't need more (rest yes). Liga's from Drew Estate uses aged tobacco as well, and have been known to dull with age.

Aging is a throwback to Cuban Cigars which used tobacco's that were never aged and REALLY benefited from aging.

No cigar will go "bad" if aged correctly - and many do well with aging (illusione's). I age many of mine. But be wary of very expensive non - Cuban cigars - many use aged tobacco's and can lose flavour after a couple of years in the humi.

Don't hold onto a smoke for the sake of holding on to it is what I am saying. If you are going to age - buy at least ten and smoke one a year to make sure the stick ages well... take my word for it . On the flip side, don't give away harsh cigars if they aren't smoking well the first 12 months. You never know - I have some that have just bloomed into beauties!! And I curse the day I gave a bunch away lol!!

All this as Earcutter states, plus if I may add if you buy different types of sticks (e.g. Maduro and Connecticut) you'll want to keep them separated (non-touching).

Originally Posted by yardie

All this as Earcutter states, plus if I may add if you buy different types of sticks (e.g. Maduro and Connecticut) you'll want to keep them separated (non-touching).

Say what? segregate them within the humidor?? Oh dang, I need another box now if that's the case.
My humi is like a tropical melting pot, Dominican, Cuban, Brazilians all co-mingling in a state of rest and patient repose.
Just waiting to spark into life when the mercury climbs out of the basement, or I am christening a new bottle of Scotch or Whiskey..
Had no idea the flavours could negatively affect each other. I've got some that have been in there for years now.
Thanks for the cautionary tip. maybe my pallet isn't developed enough to notice the changes.
Cheers.

Man - beautiful little woody smoke: