Ageing cigars

[KidKimura]

Forgive me if this has come up before, I'm on the phone so it's hard to go through lots of old threads.

All the recent discussion about aging cigars has got me thinking, does anyone know what physically happens to a cigar as it ages that makes it such a better smoke?

Sorry if that is a massive noob question!

[Puff Scotty]

Over to you Monks...

[monkey66]

Oh thanks Puffy ...I think you could have had a crack (that's what he said )


It's a much debated subject with many variables and unknowns. Do a search on the forum and these should be some discussions.

Long story short: a fermentation'ish process takes place and the cigars generally taste better (sometimes they taste magical, occasionally terrible). There are some ups and downs, good periods and 'flat' periods. In some ways very similar to ageing wine.

There is no magic age (although some commonly agreed minimums) and tasting a box once a year or so is all part of the hobby (again similar to wine). Building an aged collection is a long-term commitment but many of us (myself included) will only smoke aged cigars if at all possible.

Min Ron Nee is recognised as one of the experts on contemporary thoughts on ageing cigars, try to find a copy of his book (in a lot of cigar stores). A good read whist you 'sample that box'.

Some relevent discussion on this thread:

http://www.ukcigarforums.com/showthread.php?12206-Why-are-Cubans-more-likely-to-be-plugged-than-NCs&p=180526#post180526

[Smallclub]

It's a chemical process, exactly like with wine; degradation of the tannins, breaking down of aromatic phenol polymers into shorter chains, etc.

[kevree]

lol....what he said

[Puff Scotty]

Not going to argue with that; Nods wisely in agreement........

[KidKimura]

Thanks guys, really helpful info. I'm probably getting a bit ahead of myself trying to understand everything (I don't even have a tupperdor set up yet), but I just can't help myself!

[Puff Scotty]

Your more than welcome, don't forget to study the impact of flavanoids especially epicatechin which has an impact on the cocao flavours of your cigars....the slippery slope awaits!

[kevree]

lol Scotty

"Ye canna change the laws of phsyics........if I give her any more Captain, she'll blow!!"

[tippexx]

study the impact of flavanoids especially epicatechin which has an impact on the cocao flavours!

'in Hell Dave, we only wanna smoke 'em, not grow Frankenstein tobacco!

[Puff Scotty]

Now you know why I palmed it off on Monks to answer..I could ramble on for hours on totally relevant but hugely uninteresting subjects such as Topoisomerase inhibitors type I & II which............

[crusse]

Ha ha...The difference between you experts and us relative newbies is that the experts know their stuff but have no idea what the other experts are going on about, while the newbies have no idea what any of you are going on about! Degrees of knowledge or degrees of ignorance?

[Stevieboy]

don't forget to study the impact of flavanoids especially epicatechin which has an impact on the cocao flavours

What is the impact of these chemicals?

[Stevieboy]

Topoisomerase inhibitors type I & II which............

Huh? They're chemotherapy agents aren't they?

[Puff Scotty]

What is the impact of these chemicals?

Bitterness.