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Posted

I'm looking to get a better understanding from those of you that like to age your cigars as to the conditions you maintain.

Do you store your cigars in a temp controlled environment (wineador, temp controlled humidor, walk-in, etc. )

Do you find keeping the cigars in their original boxes contributes to better development of flavor?

Do you rotate your cigars whether they are stored in boxes or shelves?

Do you avoid different cigars from touching each other because the flavors may change? I am talking about different brands of CCs not a mix of NCs and CCs together.

Any additional areas of concern that I haven't mentioned?

Posted

Do you avoid different cigars from touching each other because the flavors may change? I am talking about different brands of CCs not a mix of NCs and CCs together.

"Migration of flavors" is a myth, a not-so-urban legend (probably spread by humidors vendors?)

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Posted

"Migration of flavors" is a myth, a not-so-urban legend (probably spread by humidors vendors?)

Yeah, always found that hard to believe but interested to see others' thoughts.

Posted

I'm still relatively new to the aging process. Some of my cigars only date back to early 2000's at best. With that in mind, take this for what it's worth:

I definitely store my cigars in temp/humidity controlled environment settling around 64RH for the most part using an active humidification system. When you get a new cabinet, it takes quite a while before it's stabilizes. While mine has stabilized nicely, it still has it's "wetter" areas than others... So I rotate my stock, every once in a while. (This is normally once a year, if that). I may not even serve a real purpose, I just feel better when I rotate.

All of my cigars stay in their original boxes. Whether it helps with aging or not, why would you want to take them out? ..Would be the better question. It helps keep each individual Marca in is own seperate entity if you will.

As far as cigars not touching each other and causing a "migration of flavors", consider this: I have a singles draw full of CC's and part NC cigars which I do keep seperate. Some of them have been in there for years untouched. While others are smoke on the regular. Point being, each of them carry their own seperate flavor characteristics. I've never said to myself, "hmm, these all seem to be tasting the same every time I pull one out." I'm with Smallclub on that it's a true myth.

The biggest concern about aging cigars should be consistency. You want to be able to keep you cigars at the most consistent RH possible for the long haul. You want to try to keep the humidity fluctuations to a minimum. I'm not talking +/- 2RH, I'm saying you don't want a few months stored at 75%RH ( ie summertime) then having it drop down to 62%RH for a few months in the winter. I try to maximize my airflow to keep things as consistent as possible with the use of some beads as well.

Goodluck.

Dan

Posted

The key is to have the temperature and humidity as consistent as you can. The climate is very hot an humid where I live so I use A/C to keep everything cool at 70 degrees and the humidity varies from 65-67.

I have cigars from 1997 that are in great condition and smell great. Also have two 300 ct humidors mixed with NC's and CC's and have had no change in flavors. Most of my cigars are stored in boxes. Hope this helps, good luck.

Posted

steady temp ... steady rh ... the rest is mostly patience .

original boxes vs remove from box ??? well read below .

this i believe to be true ...

singles age faster than 5packs .

5packs age faster than dress boxes

dress boxes age faster than unvarnished boxes/cabs

unvarnished boxes/cabs age faster than varnished boxes/cabs

varnished boxes/cabs age faster than tubes

so adjust your thinking when buying cigars to age (and how long you will be aging them) .

derrek

Posted

I have a bunch of different cigars stacked together, minus boxes, there has been no detectable mingling of cigars to me.

I think the key for good storage is consistency. I've focused on finding the balance point between a rH I enjoy smoking them at with a rH I can maintain reliably

Posted

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Posted

I thought I saw a FOH member a while back storing/aging boxes in a temp controlled cabinet, in sealed zip lock bags with a 65rh boveda pack. Does this method provide the most stable environment? I have not done this but have been contemplating using this method & putting a handful of Cohiba & HDM DD boxes away for a long sleep. Can anyone provide some feedback on this method?

Posted

I thought I saw a FOH member a while back storing/aging boxes in a temp controlled cabinet, in sealed zip lock bags with a 65rh boveda pack. Does this method provide the most stable environment? I have not done this but have been contemplating using this method & putting a handful of Cohiba & HDM DD boxes away for a long sleep. Can anyone provide some feedback on this method?

Works for me except I use airtight food containers around the 10 litre capacity as opposed to a sealed cabinet.

I find it easier to achieve an air-tight seal when the receptacle is smaller. Relatively cheap and they are stackable too.

Posted

Works for me except I use airtight food containers around the 10 litre capacity as opposed to a sealed cabinet.

I find it easier to achieve an air-tight seal when the receptacle is smaller. Relatively cheap and they are stackable too.

Can't seem to find these large airtight containers here. Any source in Canada?

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