john007 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 I'm curious how everyone feels about purchasing aged stock. While I try and stay away from it mostly because of price. As with anything I'm sure it's hit and miss, but does anyone have any stories about their expirences. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PigFish Posted August 31, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted August 31, 2016 Most people sell cigars that they don't like. What does that tell you??? My experience, buying aged cigars is a waste of time and money. Buying some discontinued cigars for the experience is just that; good for the experience. But if you cannot replace them, what really is the point in purchase except to broaden your taste base and to say that you have smoked one? Certainly one or two is not going to give you any depth of experience with the individual cigar! But you need to decide that for yourself. I never really argue against broadening a taste base. Yet I have to challenge the premise based on price. Is any price worth the experience? What value is one experience? I cannot answer that, you have to. As long as production cigars are reasonably priced and are of good quality, as long as the catalogue includes cigars that you favor, why start on cigars that are one-way ticket items? It is just my opinion, and yes I own a lot of aged cigars that are no longer made, but as someone who is specifically 'not' trying to sell you something, I am just being honest about it. I am looking to replace cigars no longer made with reasonable (currently made) facsimiles. That is where my money goes! Why would I give different advice to you? Others will think differently of course. Some people like the hunt, they like to say that they have had this stick or that stick and there is noting wrong with that. Decide where you want to be and base your purchases on your wants and desires. I don't really care what the box and band says. I want a good smoking experience that does not cost me a lot of coin. When it was boxed, where it was boxed, what brand they put on it means precious little. That is unless I am trying to sell, then I am going to skin the buyer (collector) for every penny I can! For the record, I cannot remember when I actually sold a box of cigars!!! Cheers! -Piggy 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt45 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 No stories, just my take: Cigars which have been sitting on merchant shelves for years - pass Cigars sold by speculators - pass CIgars intentionally held by the producer - I'd consider. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forgop Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Depends-are you talking about aged from a vendor or P2P? I've bought from both and will only buy from established members and I've managed to pock up some nice stock with 5-15 years of age on them over the past 2-3 years. I generally won't pay a hige premium for vintage and it's nice to have a source where you can pick up aged stock that is the same price as fresh stock. Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golfgar Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Recently paid a bit of a (approximately 15%) premium for a box of 2002 SLR Lonsdales as the inventory was down to a handful and it was from a decent vendor. The cigars taste great. It was the first time ever for me, buying anything aged. Generally speaking it is not a good buy and not worth the extra coin for me. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CigarmanTim Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 All this talk is making me think about my Bolivar Coronas Gigantes PSP I have in the on-line humi. 50 cab 2008 TEB. I will let you know after I have tried these. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moogypug Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 A big pass on aged. I like fresh cigars that I like to age myself. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZBdano Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 I like the mellowed flavors and smoothness of aged cigars so I buy them. I have not buying cigars long enough to have my own aged stock. I am happy with most of my aged purchases which are all from online vendors because that has been my only source so far. I'm sure as I continue on through the sport of cigars other opportunities will arise and I will explore those as well. Some aged stock comes without a premium but most will cost a couple dollars more per stick. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RijkdeGooier Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 For those of us who age our own it is easy to say pass. For those of us who like fresh cugars it is easy to say pass. To those of us who like the taste and want to buy go ahead and indulge. Suum cuique ? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dvickery Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Never chased vintage cigars . always aged my own . now I get the last laugh ... Most of the "aged" stuff from vendors is 10 or 15 years younger than the stuff I am smoking . Private deals are different but I don't do that either . patience ... In the long run ... More satisfying than instant gratification . derrek 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnS Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 It depends on what is on offer. I'm much more inclined to be tempted by discontinued aged stock such as Trinidad Robusto Extras or Diplomáticos No 4's and 5's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Notsocleaver Posted September 1, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted September 1, 2016 Buying some aged stock is kinda a rite of passage when it comes to Cuban cigars. The progression I've observed goes something like this: Buy a box of something and really like it -> Buy an aged box and like it even more -> buy a bunch of high quality boxes to lay down yourself A lot of guys are already well past stage 3 and will tell you to save your money and skip the intermediate step. I don't think you can know if you like aged cigars without trying them and I don't think waiting around for 5+ years to find out is a good idea either. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miurajus Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 1 hour ago, Notsocleaver said: Buying some aged stock is kinda a rite of passage when it comes to Cuban cigars. The progression I've observed goes something like this: Buy a box of something and really like it -> Buy an aged box and like it even more -> buy a bunch of high quality boxes to lay down yourself A lot of guys are already well past stage 3 and will tell you to save your money and skip the intermediate step. I don't think you can know if you like aged cigars without trying them and I don't think waiting around for 5+ years to find out is a good idea either. I agree with this but feel it's important to also understand that the older a cigar, the more unknown variables exist. Taking your thought train could lead you to the conclusion a marca isn't worth aging (and depending on cost, you might have priced out a larger sampling - wide enough to get a good read). In regards to all things cigar, patience, diligence, objectiveness & adaptive response are huge. Figure out best you can what you want to do based on information you can gather, implement, observe outcome and continue towards YOUR goal. The hole is only as deep as you are willing to admit it is. I am of the belief that I'm a coin and the well is without end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightsAnole Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Agreed with that. It's why it's important to constantly sample a box over years to see how they evolve. After several years of doing this and many more boxes, you'll eventually smoke a young cigar and say, wow, I bet this will age really well. Then go buy half a dozen boxes and lay them down. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fosgate Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 I stay away from aged because of risk potential. Never know if someone had a humidor issue where they let them get too dry, bug infestation, high rate of construction issues etc and trying to comp their loss by dumping them at a high markup. Just too much can be wrong with those sticks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bohn007 Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 11 hours ago, JohnS said: It depends on what is on offer. I'm much more inclined to be tempted by discontinued aged stock such as Trinidad Robusto Extras or Diplomáticos No 4's and 5's. The only Robusto Extras that I see are $40-45 per stick. Hard to justify Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topdiesel Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 My stock ages because I buy more than I smoke. As derrek pointed out, you will only have to wait a while before your aged is older than many vendors aged. If you prefer aged smokes and just cannot wait, then spend the money. If you see a box and they look amazing and you can afford them, then buy them. I am not sure you can go wrong. If you decide you don't like them (flavor profile vs. poor quality-it is sh**ty to trade poor quality) there is always someone who will want to trade for them. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethernut Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 @topdiesel sums it up for me pretty well. Buy about triple what you can smoke and you'll have a ton of aged stock in a few years. I've purchased Vintage collection stock before and have had good and bad experiences. Overall, I prefer to age my own. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john007 Posted September 2, 2016 Author Share Posted September 2, 2016 Thanks for all the input guys. I've been at this cigar thing for about 8 years. 6 of those years have all been cc. I'd like to think I have a good stash going, probably around 500 cigars give or take. About a year ago I got really into chasing regional cigars for some reason (Instagram). And what I've learned from this is, regional cigars are a gimmick most of the time and I do t like to waste money on them anymore. Are some amazing and I'm glad I have them... Hell yes, especially the 2 slbs of Ramon allones ciestiales finos I've gone through, or the Canadian Vegas I am starting to love. But then there are the britanicas or the Swiss perfectos that don't come close. I paid like 30 dollars a stick for those bolivars... Crazy. My point being, I'm focusing solely on regular production from here on. Not forever and im not going to say if something pops up I have to have that I won't change my mind on a whim. Basically I can focus my money on building a great collection for the future but I'm not sure what I will really like with age. So I think I will do as some suggested and try some aged cigars here and there and focus on aging my own. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophistic Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Depends on the marca. I like hoyo & upmann and both marcas need a couple of years. Would pay a bit more for aged ones but gladly i can get boxes with 3+ years at regular(low) price in the czech republic and then there are not far from their prime(5-6). Didnt enjoy the real old cigars(10y+) i had, too subtle in flavor. Stronger marcas like bolivar & montecristo are best within the first 3y anyway imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philc2001 Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Buying aged cigars has been hit and miss for me. I had some ones buying moderately aged (5 years) from a reputable vendor at a premium of 12-15%. I've also found 2-3 year old stock at vendors from time to time, and bought at retail without premium. I did try some 10 YO stock from one vendor and was disappointed. Unfortunately, I have also bought aged cigars from individuals that were disappointing and quite possibly fake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philc2001 Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 3 hours ago, Sophistic said: Depends on the marca. I like hoyo & upmann and both marcas need a couple of years. Would pay a bit more for aged ones but gladly i can get boxes with 3+ years at regular(low) price in the czech republic and then there are not far from their prime(5-6). Didnt enjoy the real old cigars(10y+) i had, too subtle in flavor. Stronger marcas like bolivar & montecristo are best within the first 3y anyway imo. Some marcas age better I suppose. But I've almost always found 3-5 years never hurts and almost always improves the balance and flavor of just about every cuban cigar I've tried. I've also successfully aged some of my stock for well over 10 years, and almost every one has been outstanding... one such example I posted a review on is the Punch Monaraca tube, a near perfect score in my experience, and another is a Punch RS#12, a heck of a cigar. I also have some 2001 Partagas ELs, and they are smoking quite delicious at this point, but I would say they have faded slightly in flavor but improved in balance at the same time, so I'm quite pleased with them. Having said that though, I think aging beyond 5 years is not going to make much difference in the overall flavor. The difference between 5, 10 and 15 years of aging is minimal compared to the difference between a 6 month and 5 year aged vitola. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fugu Posted September 3, 2016 Share Posted September 3, 2016 Nothing wrong with purchasing aged stock. And simply the only way to access discontinued stock if you didn't jump on the train at times of production. But: Carefully assess quality and provenance, and critically, really critically decide on "your" personal valuation of said sticks. Always a good reference point for me is considering, would I buy that cigar over another current production box of, let's say Sir Winstons, Connie A, Sig IV, CCE etc, or even a few more boxes of my beloved BCJ for laying down. That always helps me in a kind of groundtruthing - and more often than not I turn out giving it a pass.... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurltim Posted September 3, 2016 Share Posted September 3, 2016 I've been looking for younger aged stock (1-4 years) in CC's that I have tried and liked so far just to get a bit ahead of the aging curve and not spend the coin for vintage stock. I don't see myself aging much more that 4 years but of course, that may change by not being able to smoke all the boxes I buy. Where it gets scary for me is looking at aged boxes of say an Espy. 5-8 years and almost 700 a box. Flying blind on something like that is a lot more daunting than say a <$300 box of 4 year old HDM Epi's. I have yet to convince myself to pull the trigger on something like an aged box of Coro's or Espy's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeypots Posted September 3, 2016 Share Posted September 3, 2016 I don't buy aged stock but I do use a vendor that will give me an inventory list with box code and date listed. This allows me to pick cigars that have some box age and get a head start on something I want to lay down. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now