Resting Cigars

[rodwha]

Reading a portion of a thread I came across it being mentioned that cheaper cigars being talked about needed to be rested a few months to become fairly good. Why is this, and what exactly is it as I assume it's just that, allowing it to sit in a humidor to age a bit.

I've also seen aged cigars (up to 12 years?). If properly stored (~68/68*?) do cigars last a very long time?

I usually begin puffing on something about as soon as I get them, or within a week. The last few will have certainly sat a bit.

[Automator]

Subscribed!
I've been meaning to post this question myself.

[FireRunner]

I do this with several cigars and I've mentioned this method on here. Some cigars need rest before the tobacco flavors smoke well. The Cain from Oliva is a brand I do this with. My family sits a box or two for at least 6-8 months before smoking them. It makes a world of difference because often times the RH is too high in stores (or where they are in storage) or the cigars were recently made.

In short, I believe most cigars that smoke harsh will mellow out after resting. The tobacco has time to calm down and the flavors tend to smoke better after resting. Another cigar that my family does this with is the Hoyo Excalibur. Rest those for about six months and they are a great smoke.

I also never - ever - smoke a cigar right from the store. I always allow them to rest in my humidors for at least two weeks. I find often the stick will smoke harsh or off due to the irregularity of the humidity of the stores.

[rodwha]

So despite what it is (cheap/expensive) it is best to rest them due to potential humidity issues, but even just for the flavors (oils?) too, or do quality cigars typically sit before being shipped?

[jhedrick83]

There can be a couple reasons here. It can take a couple weeks for a cigar that has been mail ordered some time to acclimate to the specific RH you keep in your humidor. Letting them rest ensures you don't have any burn/taste issues due to uneven RH in the cigar. Also, depending on how fresh a cigar is it may go through a "sick" period where there is another fermentation cycle. Since the leaves are moistened for rolling, it can kick off another round of fermentation in the rolled cigar. Usually this is where you can get some ammonia smells while smoking. The biggest reason I tend to age my NCs is I feel I get a smoother smoking experience if it's been resting a 1 year+. You might be surprised how different a cigar is ROTT vs 2 years old vs 5 years old. For example, I love Aroma De Cuba Mi Amors, they are really good fresh, with about 5 years on them they are unreal to me. Some of the aging depends on the strength of the cigar as well. Some milder cigars may not hold up as well to age as the medium or full cigars do. As for how long cigars can last, with proper care they can last decades. If you have the room in your humidor, get a 5'er of a cigar you love and smoke one every six months and take notes on it.

[Billb1960]

I generally try to let cigars rest for a couple of weeks after I get them especially from my usual B&M. They keep their store at 70% humidity so I give them some humi time at 62-65 before I light them up. Most of the cigars I buy online get the same treatment although I've never actually checked what RH they're at when I get them.

[rodwha]

How would you go about checking the RH of a cigar?

I'm not sure my palate is acclimated enough to know well enough. I've only just become more serious. Prior to now I've only had a couple of cigars with a friend who had the real deal, and several that SWMBO bought me over the years. Only now have I smoked more than maybe 2 or 3 in a year. Maybe I ought to give it a try though. The one cigar, other than the Cohiba, is the Avo Classic, and I have 10 on the way with 15 other cigars to smoke.

I actually have no idea what RH mine sit at. I've been using a Drymistat with Xikar propylene glycol 70% RH fluid, but have no idea if it's consistent or how it behaves in a tupperdore.

[bluenoser]

I personally like to let everything I order rest, if I can hold out. But that's mostly because I buy exclusively from the US and have seen shipping take anywhere from 1-3 weeks to cross the border. Rule of thumb I use is 1 week in the humi for everyday in transit. I have tried a couple 5 packs I've ordered ROTT vs resting for a few weeks and it's night and day. Getting them to the proper RH with a little rest is definitely worth the wait.

[Jaybird]

I'll smoke a Cigar right out of my B&M but we keep them at 67%. :) When I mail order I'll sometimes smoke ROTT (take good notes) but then rest the rest for several weeks/months to see how they aged. I have been blown away at the changes, and not always for the better. CH Angels Anvil was 1. ROTT AMAZING! 6/8weeks later at 62-64% So harsh, rancid and acrid I only smoked 1/3 and set it down. Seems ALL Diesel, MOW and Ave Maria do REALLY well with a few weeks rest...

All that said, this is a hobby so you really just have to play around with what you like and go with it.

Cheers
Jay

[AlanS]

How would you go about checking the RH of a cigar?

I'm not sure my palate is acclimated enough to know well enough. I've only just become more serious. Prior to now I've only had a couple of cigars with a friend who had the real deal, and several that SWMBO bought me over the years. Only now have I smoked more than maybe 2 or 3 in a year. Maybe I ought to give it a try though. The one cigar, other than the Cohiba, is the Avo Classic, and I have 10 on the way with 15 other cigars to smoke.

I actually have no idea what RH mine sit at. I've been using a Drymistat with Xikar propylene glycol 70% RH fluid, but have no idea if it's consistent or how it behaves in a tupperdore.
If you don't have a hygrometer its all guess work. You can pick one up anywhere for less than $10. Then you can track the humidity accurately.

[Zeede]

I read where a cigar magazine smoked a cigar right out of a box, and rested the rest of the box, pulling one out to smoke every month for two years. The conclusion was most cigars should benefit from two months of resting, or longer if you have the willpower :)

As for cigars acclimating to a different RH, the rule of thumb is 1% change per week. It takes time for the humidity changes to reach all the way to the filler leaves.

[bluenoser]

How would you go about checking the RH of a cigar?

I'm not sure my palate is acclimated enough to know well enough. I've only just become more serious. Prior to now I've only had a couple of cigars with a friend who had the real deal, and several that SWMBO bought me over the years. Only now have I smoked more than maybe 2 or 3 in a year. Maybe I ought to give it a try though. The one cigar, other than the Cohiba, is the Avo Classic, and I have 10 on the way with 15 other cigars to smoke.

I actually have no idea what RH mine sit at. I've been using a Drymistat with Xikar propylene glycol 70% RH fluid, but have no idea if it's consistent or how it behaves in a tupperdore.

Look into Boveda pack's. all I use, I don't even bother with a hygrometer. They hold the RH (relative humidity) to whatever Boveda you use. I'm currently using 62% which I think might be a bit low, going to try 65's next time, but in a sealed container like tupperware, they'll be completely maintenance free and worry free. Great for a new cigarbum.

[rodwha]

I certainly intend on a hygrometer. Just starting out I've spent most of my hobby funds on cigars. Eventually I'll be set so that I can spend my funds on better equipment.

I was tempted to buy a cheaper 50 count desktop humidor. I'm glad I listened and used Tupperware instead. I can see that I'll be wanting more like a 100-200 ct humidor!

From what I've read it seems the Boveda packs are about the best. But it also seemed I read that also using another type of pack that absorbs anything above a certain RH was ideal. Is this not necessary with Boveda packs?

[bluenoser]

Boveda's are 2 way, They'll bring it down to or up to whatever RH they're made for.

[rodwha]

Nice! ~65-68 RH being about ideal?

[AlanS]

I prefer 65s. They last a lot longer in plastic than in wood containers.

[Old Smokey]

Nice! ~65-68 RH being about ideal?

65% is a good place to be IMO and where many here keep their cigars. Some prefer lower at 60-62 and some prefer 67-68.

[bluenoser]

I jumped into cigars with the higher 72 I believe it was and it was way to high. I now have a bunch at 62 which I think might be a little too low. Next time I'm going to give the 65's a go.

[FireRunner]

Nice! ~65-68 RH being about ideal?

Keep in mind two factors:

1. Where you live matters. Cigars resting in Florida will be different than ones in Maine. You should adjust based on your weather.

2. Humidor seal. How well your humidor keeps is very important. Most cheap humidors built by machines overseas don't hold a seal well. The humidors I have, most of them, are made by Michael Dixon and only need to be maintained once a month (sometimes two if I open it enough). Now, I have other humidors where I need to maintain it about once a week.

Overall, I personally prefer 68. But, each person is different and live in a different climate.

[rodwha]

How does the climate come in to play? I would have thought it was its own climate. I'm guessing where it's humid a lower RH might be wanted?

[Old Smokey]

I keep some at 62 and some at 65. They all seem to smoke well, taste good and burn nicely.

OP, when I started out I had the same questions about aging, resting and best RH. Most here feel aging doesn't really begin until you have had them for 2-3 years. Before that is resting. The purpose of resting is to allow you cigars to fully acclimate to your preferred RH. They change somewhere around 1% per week when resting. A fully acclimated cigar is at your preferred through out the cigar. The center is the same RH as the wrapper.

If you buy more cigars than you smoke it won't be long before you have some rested cigars and if you keep it up you will have some aged as well. It just happens and nothing to worry about.

[Dijit]

If you don't have a hygrometer its all guess work. You can pick one up anywhere for less than $10. Then you can track the humidity accurately.

I have an extra hygrometer you can have. It is an analog but keeps almost perfect track with my digital reading about 1% lower than the digital.

Lots of great advice here I too have had the sour cigar after aging a few weeks to a few months and have everytime with a little more age found them to be equally enjoyable as ROTT or even better. To do this though you need to start buying 5 packs or larger to get a better idea of how things age. One the blew me away is the Famous Nicaragua. ROTT its meh at best to me after 6 months it was smoother and actually a little stronger. After a year they have become one of my favorite sticks of all time. Best of all they cost less than the Alec Bradley's I like so much or many of the others. Just remember its all according to taste. All of us will tell you our taste is fine or great or some other version of right, but your taste is the one that matters here.

[rodwha]

I finally noticed the definitions and read through it.

That is quite awesome and appreciated Dijit! Would certainly like to put a home brewed beer in each hand!

[rodwha]

I've been buying 5 packs and samplers so far. Hoping to find things I like enough to buy a box of. I know I like Avos and those are the 5 packs. A box is a bit over my $100/mo hobby funding for Avos. Once I get a small stock pile I'll hang on to those funds and get a box of Avo or Southern Draw Kudzu (spl?).

[HabanoMan]

It has been a while since I smoked anything with less than 5 years on it. Keep in mind that I mostly smoke Habanos but I do smoke some non-Habanos also. I feel that the more age on the cigar the better the flavors meld together resulting in a smoother more well rounded smoke.

As far as aging cigars for a very long time, I have some Clear Havanas (cigars made in the U.S. with Cuban tobacco before the embargo) that are from the 40's and 50's. The are pretty darn good smokes. ;)

[Zeede]

It's my understanding that as with wines, not all cigars will age for ten years or longer. The outstanding ones will, and mature into amazing smokes, but most will just fade.

[rodwha]

Since I had 10 CAO Gold cigars and had been craving a puff I smoked one ROTT and found it to be a bit unpleasant until maybe the last 1/4 of a 5" stick. I can't say I've noticed this before, though I likely would have smoked an Avo as those were the ones I got in samplers. But I also didn't smoke as often so they sat longer. I'm going to need to keep these going better!

[StogieNinja]

Lots of good questions and answers here.

For me, there are a three different types of reasons to rest a cigar.

First, there's what I call "downtime" which is anything after initial receipt, up to somewhere around 6 months, the purpose of this being to let the cigars acclimate to your preferred rH.

Then there's "resting," which for me is anything longer than 6 months, the purpose of which is to let the cigars settle into themselves a little bit. I've found with a lot of cigars, especially inexpensive cigars, six months or more can take off the rough edges, smooth them out, and help a cigar go from "meh" to "pretty decent." Take the Ramon Bueso Genesis. A bit rough initially, but with 6 month to a year, it becomes a much better cigar all around. The heavier dark cigars generally seem to benefit most from a resting period.

Then there's "aging" which is periods from a few years to decades, the purpose being to let the cigars age and the flavors marry. This results in a more complex smoke in many blends, but also can result in a flat and boring smoke in others.

The tricky thing is that not all cigars benefit from aging, and some are really only great after aging. One of my early favorites, the Liga Privada No. 9, smoked very well after a short bit of downtime, no rest or aging was necessary. In fact, a few that aged over a couple years tasted somewhat flat and boring compared to their young vibrancy. I find this is generally true of most full-bodied maduros, they smoke better after some downtime, but slowly lose that sparkle over time, though there have been wonderful exceptions. Conversely, I've smoked a few Opus X that were merely decent when young, but with a few years on them, they become exceptional cigars. Many Cubans are good both fresh and aged, the fresh ones being full-flavored and bold, the aged ones being more complex and nuanced.

So, the whole key is to get an idea of how cigars age by smoking from a box or a five pack over a period of time, and the only way to do that is to practice. After a few years of doing this with various fivers, you'll get an idea of how you think a cigar is performing now, and you can make an educated guess as to how it will age over time. Of course its just that, a guess, and there are no guarantees, but that goes for just about everything as regards cigars! It's one of the most frustrating and beautiful aspects of this hobby of ours.

[Automator]

I've been monitoring this thread and I think I'm beginning to understand the concept of resting or downtime as the case may be. Now, I'm putting together a wineador and will at some point soon transfer many cigars from a desk top humidor that stays at about 66% and 72° (though the temperature does vary some). The wineador is holding at 66° and about 66% rh. I understand that cooler air can hold let moisture than warmer air and that the moisture level of the cigars will be (some measure) less at 66° than at 72° given the same rh. First question: Am I being a picker of nits? Second question: If not, should the resting period be started over after the cigars are transferred?
Thanks!

[DrBob]

How does the climate come in to play? I would have thought it was its own climate. I'm guessing where it's humid a lower RH might be wanted?

I live in New Mexico and its very dry much of the year. If I keep my cigars at 65% or lower i tend to get peeling wrappers. When I take those same cigars at 65% to Louisiana they smoke just fine. I switched to 69% for home and those cigars behave perfectly and taste great. At 69% when I take them to Louisiana they swell and split and have burn problems. I have also tried 62% and 70%, and I have a buddy here in NM that keeps his at 72% and seems to have no problems.

Main thing is to experiment a bit and see what you like. One great way to experiment is to buy a couple of five packs and a small boveda of each RH you want try. Split them into ziplocs wait a month or two and smoke them.

[HIM]

Am I being a picker of nits? Second question: If not, should the resting period be started over after the cigars are transferred?
Thanks!

Yes and no :thumb:

[Emperor Zurg]

First question: Am I being a picker of nits?
Thanks!

Nits are gross. You should pick any nit you see.

[Big Bull]

Nits are gross. You should pick any nit you see.

:biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh:

[BryGuySC]

I've not been doing this long enough to have too much wisdom to spread around, but what is working for me is to try to make my cigar purchases in the summer and fall then stash them in the humidor to smoke after spring comes around.
I smoke a pipe almost exclusively once the months turn cooler, so that gives the cigars time to rest.
Speaking of which, now that things are warming up, it is about time to find some sticks from last year and light 'em up!

[TreySC]

I've not been doing this long enough to have too much wisdom to spread around, but what is working for me is to try to make my cigar purchases in the summer and fall then stash them in the humidor to smoke after spring comes around.
I smoke a pipe almost exclusively once the months turn cooler, so that gives the cigars time to rest.
Speaking of which, now that things are warming up, it is about time to find some sticks from last year and light 'em up!

Sounds good, I'll be there around 6 what's for dinner? :stogie:

[BryGuySC]

Sounds good, I'll be there around 6 what's for dinner? :stogie:

I don't know, but we definitely need to hang sometime soon.

Any free Saturdays in May?

[TreySC]

I don't know, but we definitely need to hang sometime soon.

Any free Saturdays in May?

I have my anniversary and birthday on opposite ends of the month, other than that I'm not sure. But my wife doesn't usually tell me things to far in advance

[BryGuySC]

I have my anniversary and birthday on opposite ends of the month, other than that I'm not sure. But my wife doesn't usually tell me things to far in advance

Then we'll have to play it by ear!
Shoot me a pm, if you have some free time on a Saturday; and I'll do the same.

[TreySC]

Then we'll have to play it by ear!
Shoot me a pm, if you have some free time on a Saturday; and I'll do the same.

sounds good

[Automator]

Yes and no :thumb:
Thanks guys. I'll resume picking nits now.

[Schatzman]

Opus X should always be rested. I smoke one from 04 yesterday and it blows anything from today out of the water. They are blended for that. I'm convinced.

[TheGrumpyOleTroll]

Over the years its been hit or miss on the Non Cuban front...some do ok with age (2 or more years) and some drop off completely. I believe Jose Padron was quoted that his blends were ment to be smoked not aged (if i can find it I will add it to this post). Opus will get better with age but most just need a rest and acclamate to your environment and will be good to go..

No Cubans are a whole nother animal but more of the recent batches have been ready with out age which wasn't such the case in previous years...

Just my opinion and yours may be different which makes this hobby of ours so great. Find out what works for you.


The Troll

[rodwha]

Smoking an Avo, and as usual they seem good despite not resting. I've not been disappointed, but don't understand why they haven't had issues. Age maybe?

[Entropydave]

It has been a while since I smoked anything with less than 5 years on it. Keep in mind that I mostly smoke Habanos but I do smoke some non-Habanos also. I feel that the more age on the cigar the better the flavors meld together resulting in a smoother more well rounded smoke.

As far as aging cigars for a very long time, I have some Clear Havanas (cigars made in the U.S. with Cuban tobacco before the embargo) that are from the 40's and 50's. The are pretty darn good smokes. ;)

Yeah, I got some Florida Queens from 1946 and they are wonderful! Complex and smooth at the same time. I must try and get some more!

[fastnbulbous]

This is the topic of main interest for me for cigars. I will probably be posting about this most, at least with questions.

First one is the sick period. Any way to tell before you light up the cigar? Most that I have had that I thought were going through the sick period were 1-2 years old and started out fine, but fairly quickly devolved to the acidic harsh taste that I assume is sickness.

[sparky426]

This is the topic of main interest for me for cigars. I will probably be posting about this most, at least with questions.

First one is the sick period. Any way to tell before you light up the cigar? Most that I have had that I thought were going through the sick period were 1-2 years old and started out fine, but fairly quickly devolved to the acidic harsh taste that I assume is sickness.


I've always heard they have a slight ammoniated smell 👃

[rodwha]

Sick?!?! What is that?

[HIM]

Sick?!?! What is that?



When the cigars are being rolled all the leaf gets moistened as part of the process. That usually makes the leaf start to ferment again giving the cigar an ammonia smell while the taste can be bland or nearly flavorless altogether. They call this the sick period. Per Steve Saka, it usually takes ~60 days post roll(depending on how heavy the leaf is) for the cigar to go through this phase. The ammonia tends to take months to fully go away though and many times the cigar will still need more down time to come into its own.

[Zeede]

Given that most manufacturers age their cigars for six months to years after it's rolled, most consumers should not find a cigar that is in its sick period, through normal retail channels.

[rodwha]

Gotcha. Sure am learning a bit around here!

[rodwha]

I said this a few weeks ago:

"Since I had 10 CAO Gold cigars and had been craving a puff I smoked one ROTT and found it to be a bit unpleasant until maybe the last 1/4 of a 5" stick. I can't say I've noticed this before, though I likely would have smoked an Avo as those were the ones I got in samplers. But I also didn't smoke as often so they sat longer. I'm going to need to keep these going better!"

Now I see why. I grabbed the CAO Black and not a Gold as I thought. I realized the Gold has a red band and I recalled a black band so I checked and found it missing. I guess I might not care as much for the Blacks.

I do enjoy the Golds almost as much as the Avo Classics. I'm happy, but seeing how deep I am now (smoking 4-5 times a week and thinking about it those other days) I'm thinking I need to find something similar that I can have 2-3 boxes shipped for $100 to keep plenty around so as to turn my hobby fund attention elsewhere too!

So much for once or twice a week!

[LGHT]

Opus X should always be rested. I smoke one from 04 yesterday and it blows anything from today out of the water. They are blended for that. I'm convinced.

Ohh so true. I still have several sizes resting from the late 90's and still think they need more time lol.

[Ropey]

For some reason I've never smoked a bad Avo either. Whether ROTT, in a B&M, or one that's been sitting for months. Never an off flavor, never a bad burn.

[PMR]

I usually rest my cigars between my index and middle finger. Sometimes on an ashtray but not for very long, a few minutes at most.

[rodwha]

I realized I hadn't smoked a CAO Gold, but a Black. The rest of the Golds I have smoked have been very good. I'm certainly pleased with them!