Best Cigars To Age-Cigar.com February 2012
Alex, upon receiving your current catalog, I was intrigued by your article on aging cigars. I’ve been smoking cigars since the 1980’s, and have experimented extensively on the long term effects of aging cigars, ranging from post embargo cigars from the Canary Islands, Jamaica and Mexico to the current brands of today. Before I had even read your article, I had incorrectly assumed that your selection would be based on mostly stronger Nicaraguan cigars. But my findings are very similar to yours. The only surprise I found in your 3 choices was the Camacho Diploma. On a side note, I used to smoke Camachos years ago, when they were an inexpensive line (one line only) with a mild to medium strength and a sweet cap, and nothing like the current Camacho. Out of curiosity, I purchased some Diplomas when they were first released. But unlike your article, I found them to be literally flavorless after long term aging. I found that dominantly Honduran cigars were very hit or miss, and although many smokers think of cigars like Punch or Hoyo to be Honduran cigars, they really contain a blend of leaf from several countries. What I have found (and what is the biggest surprise to most smokers), is that Nicaraguan puros (or those cigars comprised mostly of Nicaraguan leaf) are far and away the WORST cigars for long term aging. (By long term, I refer to over 10 years aging under proper conditions). Take a Padron Aniversario for example. When the Padrons release an Aniversario is it absolutely at it’s peak, ready for immediate consumption. A 10 year old Aniversario retains little if any body or flavor, and none of the classic sweetness. Long term aging ruins this once great cigar. But perhaps the biggest misconception is in regards to Dominican tobacco. Most smokers believe what has been repeated in many cigar books: that Dominican leaf is unworthy of aging. I have found that milder cigars utilizing a majority of Dominican leaf, are the LEAST affected by long term aging! I'll compare the Fuente Don Carlos to the above Padron Aniversario. While both are premium cigars, and aged by their manufacturers to be at their peak when released, the Nicaraguan Padron goes downhill the minute it’s purchased. The Dominican Don Carlos will taste about the same 10 years from now as it did the day you bought it. And what about the relatively recent STRONGER Dominican cigar blends? (Opus X, VSG, LFD, etc) What occurs is somewhat of a transformation, not unlike great Cuban cigars. But Opus X has one upped the Cubans in one regard. The Opus is a great cigar when fresh OR aged, whereas most Cuban cigars literally require at least some aging. One of the best cigars I ever had the privelege to smoke, was an Opus X that was 3 DAYS off the rollers table. As expected it was a powerhouse. But after 10 years the Opus turns into a smooth, medium bodied smoke that seems to change it’s flavor profile. I believe that these “new found” flavors were always present. They were just masked by strength of the cigar when fresh. And like you, I’ve had similar results with Ashtons’ VSG.
And what about blends? Cigars made with a blend of leaf from several countries can be hit or miss, it all depends on the particular cigar. Cigars such as the old Puros Indios (or the old Cuba Aliados), and Punch seem to hold up well after short to mid term aging. But they are easy to “overage” and once they are past their peak, it’s all downhill. And therein lies the magic of Cuban leaf. For almost 50 years, cigarmakers have been trying to recreate the taste and texture of Cuban tobacco. They’ll be sure to inject the word Cuban or Habano into their advertising and on their cigar bands. Cuban seed has been planted on most every parcel of land on earth in an attempt to duplicate the qualities of Cuban tobacco. Putting advertising copy aside, to this day, I still haven’t found anything that rivals genuine Cuban leaf. And this is why cigar aficionados worldwide keep coming back to Cuban cigars, despite their incessant quality control problems, draw issues, and counterfeit possibilities. Like a fine wine, Cuban cigars literally “evolve” with long term aging.
But I would encourage all cigar smokers to try aging a few of their favorite smokes. Sample one every few months and note the changes. All you need is patience!
