Aged sticks??..i have q's??

[puropunch]

Morning guys

Been pondering this for a while now. unless stated are all cigars 'fresh' when purchased? Obviously talking cc's here. I know some members put band on their sticks and write the date of purchase on. When i buy cuban sticks i assume they are fresh but never had one that was sick- that i know of anyway maybe i haven't had them for long enough? (only been smoking cigars since march)..are some sold by vendors that might be a couple of years old and they just don't state it? or is it just pot luck. I know from reading through some of the threads that guys search through shops for aged boxes, and presumably don't pay a premium for them.

bit of a random question but im just trying to get my head around the situation might also help other new members having the same predicament

[JoeyGunz]

Presume you are talking buying Singles?
Ask your vendor for the box code or if you're in the shop have a look yourself.

[PeeJay]

With the exception of the Anejados ranges of Cuban cigars they are fresh when they are boxed but not as fresh as a custom roll that you have received from the roller's hands. When buying singles it is definitely pot luck as a lot of vendors just leave a box on the shelf and top it up so the stamp on the box becomes invalid. JJ Fox have been known to do this.

[puropunch]

Presume you are talking buying Singles?
Ask your vendor for the box code or if you're in the shop have a look yourself.

Yes im referring to single sticks, can the box codes be searched somewhere for the date? vendor website? cheers,

[K444HEP]

Hi [MENTION=13473968]puropunch[/MENTION], are you talking about single cigars?

If so, this can be a bit of a minefield. The popular sticks coming in and out of B&Ms (in my experience) are usually fairly fresh, i.e. boxes stamped in the last year or so, however, a lot of B&M retailers in the UK (again, in my experience) will top up boxes with new sticks rather than replace the box, so it becomes difficult to age them accurately. Best case scenario, the cigars in the box are what originally came in them, so all you have to do is look on the bottom to find out the age.

If buying online, it is pretty much impossible to age cigars unless the age is specifically stated in the description (CGars have an 'aged' section on their website, but expect to pay a premium here) As I discovered, CGars cannot tell you the age of their general stock.

I think that your assumption is probably correct; sticks bought as singles are more than likely young, i am yet to find a retailer in the UK that carries a good selection of aged stock (if anyone knows anywhere, I'd like to hear about it too!)

Your best bet for boxes with age are the smaller tobacconists abroad or to wait until you get PMs here (unless you already have them?) I have found UKCF members to be amazing when it comes to purchasing/splitting/swapping more mature sticks.

[K444HEP]

Yes im referring to single sticks, can the box codes be searched somewhere for the date? vendor website? cheers,

IME, you can't pick and choose the age of the sticks you get (especially online) with the exception of LE/RE cigars and specifically aged stock.

[puropunch]

With the exception of the Anejados ranges of Cuban cigars they are fresh when they are boxed but not as fresh as a custom roll that you have received from the roller's hands. When buying singles it is definitely pot luck as a lot of vendors just leave a box on the shelf and top it up so the stamp on the box becomes invalid. JJ Fox have been known to do this.

I will check the Anejados range out. Makes sense that if they have a box in the humidor they would just top it up as required. Doesn't help with my question in mind does it. i could pop in for a 5er of something and walk out with 5 sticks all of different ages. the sods!

Im beginning to think the only way to be certain is buy a full box?

[K444HEP]

Im beginning to think the only way to be certain is buy a full box?

Pretty much, yes. This or LEs that carry the date on the band.

[ha_banos]

It gets more awkward than this.

Limited edition cigars sold as being rolled using 2 year old or more tobacco.

H&F may hold cigars for a few years before vendors get them. But obviously the box dates will be older in this case.

There have been Anejados boxes with very new box dates on them that confuse everyone.

Some shops will top up open boxes on shelves with new cigars. So the cigars may not be from the actual box on the shelves. Or put the few left over cigars into a fresh box on the shelf. Sometimes you can spot the bands.

Welcome lol

B.



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[PeeJay]

Non Cubans of course are aged properly and ready to smoke from the point of sale

[puropunch]

Hi @puropunch, are you talking about single cigars?

If so, this can be a bit of a minefield. The popular sticks coming in and out of B&Ms (in my experience) are usually fairly fresh, i.e. boxes stamped in the last year or so, however, a lot of B&M retailers in the UK (again, in my experience) will top up boxes with new sticks rather than replace the box, so it becomes difficult to age them accurately. Best case scenario, the cigars in the box are what originally came in them, so all you have to do is look on the bottom to find out the age.

If buying online, it is pretty much impossible to age cigars unless the age is specifically stated in the description (CGars have an 'aged' section on their website, but expect to pay a premium here) As I discovered, CGars cannot tell you the age of their general stock.

I think that your assumption is probably correct; sticks bought as singles are more than likely young, i am yet to find a retailer in the UK that carries a good selection of aged stock (if anyone knows anywhere, I'd like to hear about it too!)

Your best bet for boxes with age are the smaller tobacconists abroad or to wait until you get PMs here (unless you already have them?) I have found UKCF members to be amazing when it comes to purchasing/splitting/swapping more mature sticks.

cheers, this is just what i was thinking, pure pot luck when it comes to single sticks.I would of thought that all vendors would know the age of their stock but can understand it could become a logistical nightmare for single sticks.

I think im just about there for my pms..need to check the date i registered but i think its 3 months and 100 posts so should be just over the hill now..I will check and put a request in.

[ha_banos]

Like CC 3 months and 100 posts are just a guideline [emoji39]

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[puropunch]

It gets more awkward than this.

Limited edition cigars sold as being rolled using 2 year old or more tobacco.

H&F may hold cigars for a few years before vendors get them. But obviously the box dates will be older in this case.

There have been Anejados boxes with very new box dates on them that confuse everyone.

Some shops will top up open boxes on shelves with new cigars. So the cigars may not be from the actual box on the shelves. Or put the few left over cigars into a fresh box on the shelf. Sometimes you can spot the bands.

Welcome lol

B.



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Haha welcome indeed. Seriously tho. As a newbie its all very complicated and everything you read or are told, puts massive emphasis on how cubans need to be aged etc..But its about as clear as mud as seemingly nobody really knows how old they are as manufacturers age tobacco for varying lengths of time, they could be sat waiting to be shipped for x amount of time and then when they do reach a vendor they will sell stock at different rates so a box being sold as singles will be topped up at some point with cigars that nobody really knows how old they. And they are in a box older than they will be.....bloody mine field isnt it!

[puropunch]

Non Cubans of course are aged properly and ready to smoke from the point of sale

just aswell i love a nc...i like the spice what can i say!!

[Simon Bolivar]

Mr Puropunch, I wouldn't worry too much about the age of singles; just assume anything being sold in the UK these days are less than 12months old, unless you find a small B&M with low turnover on the more unusual lines. Even then you'd be pushed to find anything more than 2 or 3 yrs old. Any older & they'd be telling you & upping the price!
As I assume you're expecting to smoke them within a month or two so it's not really a problem, you can always sniff the box & if they smell of ammonia chose from another.
PS I wouldn't rush into buying boxes until you have tried a wide range of CC's & then pick a fav or two to buy as your first boxes. Good luck!