Cigars getting "stronger" with age?

[dicko]

Hello everyone,

First of all I'll start by saying that I am by no means experienced with aged or vintage cigars. I occasionally get to try older cigars that have been gifted to me but now that I have been buying boxes for close to 8 years I've started to get some semi-aged stock of my own.

One thing I generally notice with aged cigars is they seem to "smooth out" a little. However I have 1 box that just keeps getting stronger with every cigar....the Por larranga belicosos an Asia Pacific RE from 2008. Almost to the cigar (which I sample very 4-5 months) they have increased in body noticeably from just under medium to now med-full to full bodied. Also, the flavour has changed from creamy caramel to darker forest floor and pepper flavours, with some residual sugar type sweetness and a bit of coffee cream.

Rob has said Asian RE have been known to have a longer term ageing profile.

I have noticed some older cohibas can have a spice kick also but more in the retro hale.

Has anyone else had a similar experience in a cigar getting a fuller flavour and darker flavour profile with age?

Cheers

Dicko

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[HavanaSunday]

Not that it is in any way the same.... I have noticed that Padron Family Reserve have kicked it up a notch since settling.

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[asmartbull]

The only cigar that I can remember getting strong with age was the 06 -08 connie 1

" With your shield, or on it"...

[Smallclub]

The only cigar that I can remember getting strong with age was the 06 -08 connie 1

Yep, and those from 05, and 02 as well.

[losttrailer]

seems to be an Upmann thing, had some Regalias from 2002 which were getting stronger and stronger.

[NSXCIGAR]

I did used to find this phenomenon in Upmann, and also Cohiba somewhat. Not really experienced it in the last 10 years or so, with the exception of some odd Regionals like the PCC PLs.

As a side note, I can also say I haven't really encountered a cigar in the last 10 years that was extremely tannic and bitter when young like some Punch and RyJ Cazadores used to be. Whatever HSA did to eliminate that and also make younger cigars more smokeable has worked for the most part, however I have noticed some cigars "expiring" earlier than they used to 20 years ago.

[CaptainQuintero]

I've a box of 01 des deux that is growing in power by the year, I fear the day when I have to finally face that box down and the devastation from the ensuing conflict that will blight the earth

[luv2fly]

Not so much stronger to me but richer and more flavorful.

[Eric E]

I've had similar experience with aged cigars, but never an absolute rule that any particular cigar will evolve that way. I will say this -- marca doesn't guarantee aging capacity, and generally the cigars tend to mellow with age (which I like).

Most people would laugh, but I have 15 year old ERDM boxes that are smoking beautifully. I just smoked a Monte 2001 EL that was absolutely dead. No flavor worth talking about. But I also have Partagas ELs from the same year that are still good (if you like the EL profile, which I do not).

I age by accident, and sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. That is what that dark, back corner of you humidor is for -- the cigars that didn't age well. :-)

[DoubleDD]

My 01/03 Upmann 2s can tear the hide off an alligator.

[JohnS]

Not so much stronger to me but richer and more flavorful.

Yes...but sometimes you get variation throughout the same box! I just recently ordered the aged 2006 H.Upmann Petit Coronas from a 24:72 a few weeks ago and I was so eager to try a few. The first one was medium-full and a little peppery, the second was mild-medium and had your typical shortbread and Upmann toasted tobacco (which I love!).

[dvickery]

I don't know what I do ... But I have found most of my cigars gain in strength ... At least for the first 10 or 15 years anyhoo .

All I do is leave them alone .

Derrek