long rest, short rest, or rott

[allusred]

Had some come in today, that likely qualify for a goodly bit of aging.
Not into long term aging, don't have the time for that, but resting, ok.
Nine hours later and one has been reduced to ashes...stretched my aging limits to the max.

[Ropey]

The last few amazing smokes I've had were cigars that were aged over a year. At this point I believe the smoking experience can go from good to excellent with at least a year of aging. It will be interesting to see if any of my sticks get to two years and what they smoke like then.

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[jhedrick83]

There are a few nondescript cigars that really caught my attention when I forgot about them and they got some unintentional age. NC Saint Luis Rey Maduro Rothchilds, Hoyo Excalibur #1 maduros and 601 Blues. So-so ROTT but with a couple years they are really good IMO. Also, Master Blends III and LADC Mi Amor are good to start with but excellent with 3+ years. All the Padron Anny's I've had I try to smoke quickly, the x000 series is good with 1-2 on them. I don't seem to keep them longer than that for some reason.

[Bruck]

A buddy of mine recently gave me a couple sticks that he had bought in the 80s. Excellent flavor, very well aged, but the vitamin N was near zero.

Paul Garmirian, a botique in McLean, VA, ages his cigars 5-7 years (some longer) b/f selling. They are quite nice, but a little pricey, so they're special occasion sticks for me. He says he has a warehouse "near the airport" (Dulles) where he ages them in a temp/RH controlled environment. It would be cool to visit that some day but I can see why they might want to keep the location a secret.

[droy1958]

There are a few nondescript cigars that really caught my attention when I forgot about them and they got some unintentional age. NC Saint Luis Rey Maduro Rothchilds, Hoyo Excalibur #1 maduros and 601 Blues. So-so ROTT but with a couple years they are really good IMO. Also, Master Blends III and LADC Mi Amor are good to start with but excellent with 3+ years. All the Padron Anny's I've had I try to smoke quickly, the x000 series is good with 1-2 on them. I don't seem to keep them longer than that for some reason.

The Master Blend 3 is great with a birthday or three on them...

[Gunther7912]

Does anybody have insight on the illusione R? To age or not to age, that is the question. Just got in a box last week.

[jhedrick83]

Does anybody have insight on the illusione R? To age or not to age, that is the question. Just got in a box last week.

IMO, they are awesome fresh and with a year or two still excellent.

[Brimy]

I'm taking this question to refer to NC's.
As mentioned some sticks are aged before sold, Padron in particular (not sure who else does). LP and Fuente's are much better ROTT IMO, at most acclimated.
I also find that most of the "boutique" smokes just need to acclimate.

I've had a few aged (more than 2 years) smokes thanks to the generosity of a few fine Bums, but generally a nice long rest (12-18 mths). Most of the time my smokes acclimate a month or so, then they meet their death by fire.

I find that the less expensive smokes <$3, get better with at least a year on them. In particular, Obsidian, RB Genesis.

[FidelCastro]

My experience has shown that NC's are better with rest of at least a month or at least 2 months. Trying to rush a cigar that just arrived at your home and smoking them ROTT tends to make them a bit bitter/ammonia/sick period. A week for every day in transit has been somewhat of a guide. If the cigar is one that is medium to full bodied more rest is suggested so that the tobacco acclimates to its new environment and at a RH that we like.

As far as CC's go it's a little different as I tend to keep them resting for at least 6 months to a year but I find myself sneaking in and smoking one or two. I cheat/it's what I do.