Hmmm....You Don't Say!

[TJCoro]

I was talking with a vendor about the age of some puros I was interested in ordering and this is what he said when I told him I was only interested in boxes one year or older:


"Actually the box codes indicate the packing date rather than the
production date. Contrary to popular belief, Cuban cigars are all
pre-aged in their factories before being packed in boxes. So even if a
box code says June 2010, the sticks are probably at least a year old,
if you add the minimum of 6-9 months or more of factory aging. The
only young sticks that you can actually get is those that the rollers
make for you right on the spot. These would have to be aged for
another year to be decent."



Hmmmm...I did not know that. What do you lads think?

[Aussiewaz]

Ummmmm, fail methinks.

[larrysputnik]

I don't buy it. That still doesn't explain why "younger" box codes still need at least 6 months of aging before they begin to taste good. All this response means to me is that puros start to taste good 6 months after the box date apparently... I thought I already knew that!

[daverave999]

I'm aware that the box code is when they are packed but I ain't heard anything about this factory-aging.

All this response means to me is that puros start to taste good 6 months after the box date apparently... I thought I already knew that!

Indeed.

[Lads2000]

I would say this is possible.. When i went to one of the factory tours earlier this year they have a few hundred if not a thousands of sticks just piled up. They have to have stock for colour grading so the boxes all look roughly the same. This naturally means there could be cigars sitting there for some time before being boxed. I'm not sure if they are there for a year though. I guess if you want these pre aged go for the box with the unusual colour as they will have been on the pile longer

[Lads2000]

Larry it does then make sense. People who try the green cigars from the roller say the are great (not tried myself) then if left for a bit go into there sick period before coming good again about 6-12 months later. If the cigar was waiting for say 3 months before boxing and you receive this another 2 month later for distribution then the cigars have gone from green to sick when the buyer receives them hence having to wait 6 months for them to ripen again.

[Seriesteve]

Nothing conclusive but this is from the Habanos SA site, it dosent say how long they stay, "After a week they become smokeable"... "but the longer they stay"
Maybe it's a demand thing ?

" Between making and packing, the cigars are taken to the conditioning room or Escaparate. Here in cedar-lined cabinets, they are left to rest while they shed the excess moisture that was gained in the rolling process. After a week the cigars become smokeable but the longer they stay here the better. Conditions are strictly maintained at between 16 and 18?C and 65 to 70 percent relative humidity, noticeably cooler and drier than the ambient Cuban climate. The Escaparate is often referred to as the Treasury. It is here that the true wealth of the factory is stored." Interesting Post Ss

[tippexx]

I don't buy it. That still doesn't explain why "younger" box codes still need at least 6 months of aging before they begin to taste good. All this response means to me is that puros start to taste good 6 months after the box date apparently... I thought I already knew that!

Maybe it's just all in the mind. And anyway, none of what's been spoken about takes into consideration how long the 'bales' of tobacco may have been sat about ageing.

[Seriesteve]

Maybe it's just all in the mind. And anyway, none of what's been spoken about takes into consideration how long the 'bales' of tobacco may have been sat about ageing.

But the question we are asking (I think is).... Production date of Cigar to Packaging date on box ??
The bales I think we're aware are anything between 3 - 5 yrs or more, depending how classic a Cigar they want to make.
Ss

[Stevieboy]

Interesting post from our new forum member TJ.....only minimal use of Smilies

All I know is that every time I've smoked a cigar that's less than a year from it's box date, it's been less than perfect. I try never to smoke anything less than 18 months old as a general rule. I smoked D5s about 3 months after release and they were awful. Two years later and they're amazing. Massive difference

[Aussiewaz]

Interesting post from our new forum member TJ.....only minimal use of Smilies

All I know is that every time I've smoked a cigar that's less than a year from it's box date, it's been less than perfect. I try never to smoke anything less than 18 months old as a general rule. I smoked D5s about 3 months after release and they were awful. Two years later and they're amazing. Massive difference

IMHO there are exceptions that smoke great with little rest but by and large most Cubans improve after 18 months indeed. The 08's of most lineas are just coming into their own. My 2 cents. (Or is that pence?) LOL

[Seriesteve]

It's going to be a demand isnt it , I think so. (dont know)

EL's Re's Etc. Everyone wants them as soon as they are produced so . Bang ! Out they go,and needing time to rest before they are a really good to smoke.
And the others maybe if demand is low for a particular size / brand they may be laid to rest in there store, cedar cabinates before boxing and dating.. :whoknows: I'm sure someone will
Ss

[tippexx]

This I think will always be awkward because the only fixed reference point is the box date. Also preference, what is perfect smoking for one may not be for another. Also the ageing period, as has been mentioned, varies depending on vitola and the quality of the crop in a tobacco year.

As a roughish guide I tend to look here:- http://www.cigars-review.org/

Just other peoples opinions mind .... but it helps.

[Stevieboy]

My 2 cents. (Or is that pence?) LOL

Ha ha

[Aussiewaz]

Ha ha

I could always do "Pirates of PenZANce" but it may get scary! LMAO