How do you tell....

[Yipdar]

I'm still relatively new to cigars. I realize when I smoke a young cigar sometimes and it just seems to need more time but what tells you or helps differentiate when you think a certain box needs 2-3 years time vs say 5+ years?

[laficion]

That Is just It,,,,You don't.

[CaptainQuintero]

Like guy said, all you can say is the cigar you are smoking is not ready, the next one out of the same box might be!

It's a game which is part of the fun of the hobby 2 years is usually enough from box date to soften out any rough edges and prepare any CC for smoking unless you like the fresh style cigar, I've found it's a fairly reliable system that works for me

[Smallclub]

You can tell only when you have already experienced this cigar in its aged or vintage version…

If I get a ton of ammonia and tanins from a RASS, I can tell the box needs 3 years of rest because I have been there before!

But again, in this matter nothing is set in stone; you can always have a good surprise when you test 1 cigar from the box every 6 or 12 months…

[jimbo1]

its trial and error, the more you try then you'll know approximately how long a marca needs to rest, there is no perfect method......most say Cohibas shouldn't be smoked before 5 years of rest/age, others enjoy them after 1-2 years of rest, you'll just have to try for yourself to see what you like. personally, the more patience I have, the better the experience. check out the reviews by Rob and Ken, they talk a lot about the potential of cigars, plus they are very entertaining.

[Blakes]

I'm still relatively new to cigars. I realize when I smoke a young cigar sometimes and it just seems to need more time but what tells you or helps differentiate when you think a certain box needs 2-3 years time vs say 5+ years?

Educated guess, The more experience the better the guesses but there's no 100% way of telling cigars can do strange things sometimes!