Which NC’s to Age?

[WiTuLow99]

Seeking wisdom from experienced smokers....

I smoked a Olivia V Melanio Torpedo several weeks back that I really enjoyed, so I Immediately got a 10 pack of Robustos from a big online retailer. I smoked one after resting for two weeks and it was nowhere as good, almost boring and bland. I am not sure what is the problem but figured it could be due to the age, as the one I smoked oriiginally was several years old (a gift). I read that most NCs don’t need aging as most manufacturers take care of that already? But I also often read about how people enjoy certain blends much more after several years of aging. So that leads me to wonder....

What are some NCs worth aging? What are some NCs that should avoid aging? I get it’s all personal taste, but want to hear some opinions out there.

 

[Cossie]

Seeking wisdom from experienced smokers....

I smoked a Olivia V Melanio Torpedo several weeks back that I really enjoyed, so I Immediately got a 10 pack of Robustos from a big online retailer. I smoked one after resting for two weeks and it was nowhere as good, almost boring and bland. I am not sure what is the problem but figured it could be due to the age, as the one I smoked oriiginally was several years old (a gift). I read that most NCs don’t need aging as most manufacturers take care of that already? But I also often read about how people enjoy certain blends much more after several years of aging. So that leads me to wonder....

What are some NCs worth aging? What are some NCs that should avoid aging? I get it’s all personal taste, but want to hear some opinions out there.

It could be that your palate preferred the taste of the years of aging that certain vitola had and you associated that memory and the younger cigar and had a different outcome due to its flavor without the aging.

That cigar is a good blend. You may just have to give it more time to suit your tastes. Nothing to be discouraged about.

Also, you asked good questions and there are many seasoned smokers on here who can guide you through the aging process.

Though with NC's aging is subjective.

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[Boudie]

I certainly wouldn't consider an Olivia Melanio boring and bland, especially fresh so you have me stumped. I feel aging cigars like the Melanio "takes the edge off" smooths out the cigar, melds the flavors" makes a cigar a bit richer and complex like an aged red wine vs a crisp wine intended to be enjoyed newly bottled.

You have a 10 pack so make notes of the taste experience and put the others away for a while to see how they change as they get older.

The only cigars that "need" aging are those that reek of ammonia, cigars still in their sic period. The only way to tell if any cigar improves with age is to go through the process and find out when they hit your personal sweet spot. If may be two weeks, two months, or two years.

 

[multi-useless]

I'm gonna say it's probably not the age of the cigars that caused a difference in this case, probably more a matter of your taste buds at the time - had you just eaten something like radioactive hot wings? Had you brushed your teeth that day? Were you taking medication to clear up an infection you picked up from... well, who you got the infection from is irrelevant. Point is, these things are a factor.

Also, was the torpedo your first Melanio? I find that often, the first time I try a new-to-me cigar, I'm much more impressed than I am when I go back to smoke it a second time. (Also, sometimes you're not impressed the first time but enjoy it later - I know at least 1 guy who has a "try 2" rule because of this)

 

[Altercall]

I certainly wouldn't consider an Olivia Melanio boring and bland, especially fresh so you have me stumped. I feel aging cigars like the Melanio "takes the edge off" smooths out the cigar, melds the flavors" makes a cigar a bit richer and complex like an aged red wine vs a crisp wine intended to be enjoyed newly bottled.

You have a 10 pack so make notes of the taste experience and put the others away for a while to see how they change as they get older.

The only cigars that "need" aging are those that reek of ammonia, cigars still in their sic period. The only way to tell if any cigar improves with age is to go through the process and find out when they hit your personal sweet spot. If may be two weeks, two months, or two years.

I’d agree with everything here. Need vs makes better is the big things. Big, intense flavors age well. I’ve got some Tat T110s that are amazing right now. They were nothing but spice 10 years ago, but now they’re so complex. Opus X is a similar experience. Fresh Opus aren’t bad, but more time gives them more complexity and brings out more subtle notes. That isn’t always the case, though, as it has to be good tobacco. Aging can bring out some not so good flavors as well.

If a cigar isn’t very strong to begin with, or doesn’t have a strong flavor profile, it won’t age well. I’ve found that Fuente Anejos and Tat blacks don’t age nearly as well as some other sticks. Tat blacks lose a lot of their complexity and anejos keep the flavor profile, but after a few years just lose the intensity.

In my experience, the flavor profile that ages the best is pepper and spice.

Now, I’ll throw all that out the window when we’re talking about Cohibas, and Cubans in general. Most Cubans need a little time, but @gibbleguts taught me long ago to not smoke a Cohiba that’s younger than 2 years, and more age is better. They taste very grassy fresh, but oh my how they change.

With your V, it would have been any number of things... variability in the blend, you got a particularly bad/good stick, more or less wind on the day you smoked it, any of what multi-useless said, or any number of other conditions. You’ve got 9 more. Smoke another in a month. If it’s not great, wait 6 moths and try again. Keep that up till you start to like it. If you find the spot, but a box and write on it when it’s time to smoke it (ps add a few months if they’re in a box vs loose in a humi).

Lastly, cigars are always personal. I can’t smoke the double/triple maduros that some enjoy so much. I’ve not found anything in the Crowned heads line that I like. I’ve not been a huge fan of most things broadleaf maduro. But that’s me. The differences in my palate. Find what you like and enjoy the crap out of it.


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[Dick Leighton]

I personally think some of the best NCs to age are Padrons, Tatuaje broadleaf and black label and Opus X.

I always found a sweet spot between 2-3 years. For me, NCs usually fall off after that.

 

[Dick Leighton]

Also, I might just be crazy but I always found that aging cigars in the boxes with other cigars is far better than allowing loose singles to sit around for a couple years.

 

[Altercall]

I personally think some of the best NCs to age are Padrons, Tatuaje broadleaf and black label and Opus X.

I always found a sweet spot between 2-3 years. For me, NCs usually fall off after that.

Padron s and Tat blacks definitely drop off after that. The Tat broadleaf can continue to get better. Opus definitely does. I’ve got some 10 year old Tat Havana Caz that are amazing. A good part of it comes down to moisture. If it’s oily or wet packed, lots of age will improve it.


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[Alwayslit]

What doesn't age well is a poorly made cigar. I've had 20+ year Hemingways that have been outstanding. Storage is another key component. If done well you'll have an aged stash that will reward you.

 

[Tacket]

In my incredibly inexperienced opinion, I’d let those dudes rest for months not weeks before making too much of a judgement call. Depending on where you got them from, they may have arrived overly wet which will certainly affect your impressions and experience. My general rule of thumb is 3 months. ROTT is sometimes fun, but I’m never holding my breath for magic to happen in those cases.

 

[thedismaltrade]

Padron thousand series after aging is a great bang-for-the-buck. I agree with @Dick Leighton that Opus X with age are tits.

 

[Cossie]

What doesn't age well is a poorly made cigar. I've had 20+ year Hemingways that have been outstanding. Storage is another key component. If done well you'll have an aged stash that will reward you.

Holy s@#t!!! 20 years? That's incredible.

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[Lomey]

I agree with the above answers. First off, I would never judge a cigar after only having it in my storage for less than 3 months. ROTT is fun at times, but I rarely do it because I'm rarely happy with the results. I have my humidors set to where I like my cigars and they aren't going to be where I like them at 2 weeks. Second, I think most well made cigars with good tobacco age well. I have smoked quite a few aged NCs with nice results, but nothing over the 7 year range so my experience lacks compared to a lot of guys here. You definitely asked the right group though. Tons of knowledgeable brothers here. That's why I continue to watch the today's smoke and see what aged cigars guys are smoking.

Btw, I'm a big fan of the Melanio and have quite a few with different ages. I think the Maduro ages better than the Natural, but like Natural younger. Go figure.

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[Old Smokey]

Maybe you got a dud. It happens.

I am intentionally aging various Opus X, Anejo, DOn Carlos Personal Reserve, Angels Share and Casa Cuba. Everything else is getting older due having bought more than I smoke. It just happens. I have bought very few cigars the last 3 years.

 

[Palama]

Maybe you got a dud. It happens.

I am intentionally aging various Opus X, Anejo, DOn Carlos Personal Reserve, Angels Share and Casa Cuba. Everything else is getting older due having bought more than I smoke. It just happens. I have bought very few cigars the last 3 years.

Pretty much the same with me except I also age Hemingway Maduros and most Connecticut Broadleaf wrapped cigars.

 

[jvd1230]

I think DE Herrera esteli improve greatly with age. They are OK fresh, but I've found with a year or so of age they really shine! Just about any Illusione do too. I know NC brands claim that they dont need to be aged and all that, but I have found that they almost all do get better with a bit of age.

 

[CigarGavin]

I’ve always found it interesting the varying opinions on NC aging vs the accepted “truths” of CC aging.

All are grain of salt opinions (for me alone)
-Opus x and Anejo become something else entirely and special as they age.
-Tat broadleaf has always smoked better fresh (especially really good year crop with that sparkly, thick wrapper: yum).
-Herrera Estelí fresh (2012-ish) was awesome and has fallen off in recent years both with time on it and fresh.
-Cain F and Daytona are great with a lot of age.
-Oliva V (regular) is awesome with age.
-Four kicks are very balanced with age.
-My father bijou is very smooth with age.
-Illusione Epernay lose something with time.
-Undercrown (I believe they are called Maduro now) meld and become more balanced with time.
-Dunbarton blends become richer (and maybe sweeter) with age.

All just my opinion and off the top of my head, taste buds are subjective and mine are probably wrong



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[jvd1230]

I’ve always found it interesting the varying opinions on NC aging vs the accepted “truths” of CC aging.

All are grain of salt opinions (for me alone)
-Opus x and Anejo become something else entirely and special as they age.
-Tat broadleaf has always smoked better fresh (especially really good year crop with that sparkly, thick wrapper: yum).
-Herrera Estelí fresh (2012-ish) was awesome and has fallen off in recent years both with time on it and fresh.
-Cain F and Daytona are great with a lot of age.
-Oliva V (regular) is awesome with age.
-Four kicks are very balanced with age.
-My father bijou is very smooth with age.
-Illusione Epernay lose something with time.
-Undercrown (I believe they are called Maduro now) meld and become more balanced with time.
-Dunbarton blends become richer (and maybe sweeter) with age.

All just my opinion and off the top of my head, taste buds are subjective and mine are probably wrong



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Haha yeah I respect your findings, but have had opposite experiences in almost all cases!

 

[CigarGavin]

Haha yeah I respect your findings, but have had opposite experiences in almost all cases!

That’s what I’m saying, totally subjective. Granted palates change overtime as well (what’s the saying about ketchup young and mustard as you age) like I said the NC variances in terms of what ages well has always interested me because the spectrum is so large and differing.


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[Altercall]

Haha yeah I respect your findings, but have had opposite experiences in almost all cases!

That’s funny, I would almost completely agree with him. Tat broadleaf hits its peak around 2 years in most cases. The ‘17 TAA is amazing right now!


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