Diminished flavors with age?

[Islandboy]

Did a little searching as I know this has likely been discussed ad-nauseum, but honestly didn’t find what I was after.

I’m 3 years into cigar appreciation, a mere grommet so to speak. The first 2 years were spent accumulating NC’s. I’m now bringing almost exclusively CC’s into my humidor, as I find the flavors to be exponentially more interesting and engaging. The majority of the sticks I smoke are still NC’s from my existing stock. Lately it seems to me that as the NC’s pick up a little age, the taste has starting vanishing. I’ve got 4 year old AF Anejo 888’s that were quite like rum-raisin ice cream a few years ago, but have now lost their identity. Sure, they’re probably smoother and more refined I guess, but I miss the vibrant taste that was once there. This brings a few questions/concerns to mind:

Is what I’m experiencing with my NC’s typical to the experience of others, as I’ve read NC’s generally don’t age as well as CC’s?

Will my CC’s also lose some of their "flavor identity" as they simply smooth out with age? I’d hate to see my one year old box of Siglo III’s, that I find very tasty now, diminish in that department.  

FWIW, I went from using 69 Boveda packs when it was all NC’s, to 65’s for everything currently, and all my humidors are in a constant 76 degree environment. 

[sonarman81]

I'm no expert. I've had CCs with 10+ years age on them that were very flavorful and nuanced. I just recently noticed that some NCs I had with about 8 years on them have begun to go flat where previously they lost all the spice and showed great flavors.

[JohnInCleveland]

The funny thing about cigars is that you don't know when they've reached their pinnacle until they've passed their pinnacle.

 

I had a few 15+ yr old cigars this week and they were phenomenal.  Unless you've got money coming out of every orifice, I wouldn't worry about aging too long, when you smoke one and it feels like it's in the sweet spot, keep smoking em til they're gone.  Don't keep boxes without taste testing more than a few years, then you'll never have a box go to pot on you.

[dicko]

25 minutes ago, JohnInCleveland said:

The funny thing about cigars is that you don't know when they've reached their pinnacle until they've passed their pinnacle.

 

I had a few 15+ yr old cigars this week and they were phenomenal.  Unless you've got money coming out of every orifice, I wouldn't worry about aging too long, when you smoke one and it feels like it's in the sweet spot, keep smoking em til they're gone.  Don't keep boxes without taste testing more than a few years, then you'll never have a box go to pot on you.

Good advice 

[Islandboy]

16 minutes ago, JohnInCleveland said:

The funny thing about cigars is that you don't know when they've reached their pinnacle until they've passed their pinnacle.

Yes, I’ve thought about this recently as I find myself on the downside of a few NC boxes, or so it seems. I just didn’t expect this so soon.

As my orifices go, none are exactly oozing Franklins, so I should probably stop overthinking things and just pull one of my prized, young Esplendidos out of the box this weekend. And enjoy the hell out of it. 

[Stick burner]

I've been at this game a little longer than you but consider myself a noob and will for along time yet. It seems like in most circumstances the experts (Prez and others) will say lay them down for 3 years minimum. Some are ready to smoke earlier but that 3 year mark seems to be a benchmark for aging purposes YES stop overthinking things...they're cigars there is no secret formula to perfection. Feel fortunate that your able to smoke the best cigars in the world and enjoy...let us know how that Esplendidos is.


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[Sean3]

Seems like 8 years is the threshold for NC's...give or take.  That said, I've had a some NC's with 6-8 years on them that were fantastic.  Anything with more than 8 years has been a roll of the dice, often times with the cigar clearly being past it's prime with dull, muted flavors.  CC's seem to have more potential, perhaps because the leaves aren't aged as much to start with.  Whatever the reasons, just make sure to give your stock 45-90 days to acclimatize to your humi and you will not regret it.  Cheers.

[Narhcoc]

I'd definitely agree that NC's go past their prime earlier than CC's since that has been my experience too.  But I was recently surprised and caught way off guard by what I found with some old Padron 1926 cigars.  The cigars were rolled in 2007 and absolutely wonderful when I bought them (2007).  Then I forgot them and when I rediscovered them in 2012, I was severely disappointed by them.  I've tried one every year since 2012 and they've been flat and boring....until last month.  They hit their peak again and I was in disbelief. I pretty much smoke CC's exclusively now, but these things are phenomenal.  I've nearly smoked the remainder of the box now. My point is, you never know when I cigar will go flat and you never know when it'll come back to life.  If they're smoking the way you like them, then enjoy!  If not, don't be afraid to give them some more time even if it goes against conventional wisdom.

[Islandboy]

So you’re telling me there’s a chance....

Guess I won’t toss the half box of Diamond Crown Maximus Churchills just yet, even though the last one I smoked tasted like......pretty much nothing at all. 

I remain hopeful.

[Hayden]

6 hours ago, Islandboy said:

So you’re telling me there’s a chance....

Guess I won’t toss the half box of Diamond Crown Maximus Churchills just yet, even though the last one I smoked tasted like......pretty much nothing at all. 

I remain hopeful.

At worst keep them to give to friends who mooch too much haha. 

[El Hoze]

12 hours ago, Islandboy said:

... so I should probably stop overthinking things and just pull one of my prized, young Esplendidos out of the box this weekend. And enjoy the hell out of it. 

It is funny you should mention younger Esplendidos. I have been on a roll recently w newer Esplendidos (call it new bands forward). Been reaching for them more and more. I find them awesome a little younger.  A little in your face. And I have a box of 2007s that I now find a little too mild sometimes. Nice to have options. 

 

[mi000ke]

I've been smoking NCs for about 45 years and just got into CCs seriously about 4 years ago.  These days I smoke Nicaraguan full bodied/full strength  NCs and various fuller flavored CCs  in about equal amounts.  I keep the NCs at 65 and the CCs at 62.  Over the years i have found that to my tastes most of the NCs start to go south after about 2 years, while my CCs are just starting to come into their own at about 2 years, although with a decrease in some of their "edge."  There are some exceptions (e.g., I have found that after a few years on the Padron 1000 series they start to taste like the 64s)  but this is my general overall impression. 

[PigFish]

I have some '91 La Corona MM cigars that will flatten you!

I believe that a properly made and stored cigar has a theoretical unlimited lifespan... My 2 cts...

[JohnInCleveland]

21 hours ago, Islandboy said:

Yes, I’ve thought about this recently as I find myself on the downside of a few NC boxes, or so it seems. I just didn’t expect this so soon.

As my orifices go, none are exactly oozing Franklins, so I should probably stop overthinking things and just pull one of my prized, young Esplendidos out of the box this weekend. And enjoy the hell out of it. 

Of course I'm the guy who still hasn't cracked his box of Esplendidos either so I might be better at giving advice than heeding it myself...