Aging Cigars Matters. Or Does It?

Of course it does. The only reason I tacked on the question was that how much you age your cigars depends on the cigar. Like wine, cigars eventually age out, but they do so at varying rates. For instance, an Oliva Black Swan ages out in less than six months and is smokeable in a week after delivery. On the other hand, the Curivari Seleccíon Privada needs at least three months before it’s enjoyable, but it’ll be even better after a year or more of age. And this is after over a year of box aging!

The one shown in the picture has sat for over six months. The flavor is amazing, with this burnt sugar/molasses foundation. But as much as I’m enjoying it while I write this, I inherently know that it’ll be even better with even more time. I can just taste the potential, so that box will go into my out-of-sight-out-of-mind storage – that is, into my walk-in closet – where I won’t be tempted to pull one out.

Conversely, the Oliva Black Swan is a cigar that needs to be smoked way earlier. Once it’s acclimated after delivery – usually a week for me – it’s ready to smoke. That’s a good thing. But unfortunately, that cigar ages out quick. After four months, it starts losing its color, and though the smoke is balanced, the richness from that rare CT Broadleaf is diminished.

It’s difficult to judge just how long a cigar should be aged, especially with new world cigars because new world tobacco is pre-aged. This is why I never buy singles online. When trying out a new cigar, I always buy 5ers or packs where there are at least three cigars so I can smoke them over months. And honestly, if I’ve tried a cigar or two in a shop, I will most likely buy a box of them if I like them, so I have a supply that will last over many months or years.

This hobby is one of patience. There’s no such thing as a quick smoke unless you smoke little, short-format sticks like Liga Privada Papas Fritas. But even then, those take a minimum of thirty minutes to smoke. And I love that aspect of smoking cigars. It makes everything slow down.