Cigars Age Better in Cuba

[Riverstyx]

First, I don't believe this (if it were true, the anejado program would be far more successful!).  I met a guy at a bar in the keys that swore this was a thing.  I'd never even heard this before.  Once I began discussing the range of preferences for temperature and relative humidity levels, he tuned out.  

Has anyone here heard someone say this before?  Was it started by the guys selling Cohibas in glass boxes?

Oh, he did gift me his favorite cigar: no lie...a Monte Open.  I mustered up as much stoicism as I could, smiled and said "thank you."

[oliverdst]

never heard about that.

what I hear often and dont believe is that Cuba is a big humidor.

check the average humidity and temperature in Havana and let me know if your home humidor has this settings.

[chris12381]

The only way they age better is because I often don't see them for a year or more.  It's a FORCED aging program. And the anticipation makes them taste better.

[99call]

Anejados don't for sure

[Derboesekoenig]

1 hour ago, Riverstyx said:

 

Oh, he did gift me his favorite cigar: no lie...a Monte Open.  I mustered up as much stoicism as I could, smiled and said "thank you."

I would've walked away at the mention of this lol

[El Presidente]

the beetles certainly think so.....

[LGC]

I prefer 70-90% humidity and 80-100F for my sticks as well...

[ImTripN2]

Why wouldn't it be true? The tobacco is grown, aged, rolled and stored in the high humidity in Cuba, why would't they age just fine there too. Do they age better? I guess that's up for personal preference. The beetles do like them warm tho.... 

I've smoked thru several boxes of different cigars in Cuba without any problems at 80% and 80 degrees… burn, flavor, almost always they were spot on, or at least at the same ratio of good/bad I experience at home.

In my experience cigars smoke just fine in any reasonable environment as long as they are allowed to acclimate to the ambient conditions in which they will be smoked. What happens when you take a cigar out of your carefully controlled 62-62 environment and light up in 85% RH? Usually its pretty harsh and bitter and won't burn worth a damm.  Or how about dry boxing a cigar in the desert heat where is 20%RH ? It'd be dry as dust and unsmokeable in about 2 hours. 

When I take cigars to Central America Ihave to  leave my sticks from home out on the shelf for at least a couple weeks before they start smoking well. Once they get used to the humidity, they burn and taste just fine. And I don't know of any reason they wouldn't age just fine as well.

[El Presidente]

4 hours ago, ImTripN2 said:

Why wouldn't it be true? The tobacco is grown, aged, rolled and stored in the high humidity in Cuba, why would't they age just fine there too. Do they age better? I guess that's up for personal preference. The beetles do like them warm tho.... 

I've smoked thru several boxes of different cigars in Cuba without any problems at 80% and 80 degrees… burn, flavor, almost always they were spot on, or at least at the same ratio of good/bad I experience at home.

In my experience cigars smoke just fine in any reasonable environment as long as they are allowed to acclimate to the ambient conditions in which they will be smoked. What happens when you take a cigar out of your carefully controlled 62-62 environment and light up in 85% RH? Usually its pretty harsh and bitter and won't burn worth a damm.  Or how about dry boxing a cigar in the desert heat where is 20%RH ? It'd be dry as dust and unsmokeable in about 2 hours. 

When I take cigars to Central America Ihave to  leave my sticks from home out on the shelf for at least a couple weeks before they start smoking well. Once they get used to the humidity, they burn and taste just fine. And I don't know of any reason they wouldn't age just fine as well.

I have a half dozen local mates who would agree with you no end. The best cigars according to them are those they smoke in Cuba. 

On the other hand, I can't ever recall having a great cigar in Cuba (that was purchased in Cuba).  Invariably they are just too overhumidified for me.  Straight off  a rollers table, a farm freshie...had plenty of good to very good ones but not one that I would consider "stunning".  

Given that most cigars in Cuba are housed at around 80% RH and I enjoy mine at around 60% RH, it is hardly surprising. 

[mbflash80]

Ive only been once...smoked roughly 25 cigars in a 4 day span...most were utterly uninspiring...in my very limited experience i prefer smoking in the comfort of California. Not sure what that can be attributed to.

[Derboesekoenig]

I went in July so I didn't enjoy many cigars I had. 

[ImTripN2]

14 hours ago, El Presidente said:

I have a half dozen local mates who would agree with you no end. The best cigars according to them are those they smoke in Cuba. 

Ya, I had a friend who always added "value for experience" when he rated cigars. You know the pastries and coffee taste better in a Parisian cafe, Mai Tai's are sweeter in Hawaii, and the surf bunnies are prettier at Bondi or Hermosa Beach. Just like a nice cigar is gonna taste better on the veranda on the Nacional Hotel in Havana ?

On the other hand, I can't ever recall having a great cigar in Cuba (that was purchased in Cuba).  Invariably they are just too overhumidified for me.  Straight off  a rollers table, a farm freshie...had plenty of good to very good ones but not one that I would consider "stunning".  

Given that most cigars in Cuba are housed at around 80% RH and I enjoy mine at around 60% RH, it is hardly surprising. 

Can't argue with this. I guess 'stunning' is subjective, but I'm certain I don't smoke the number and caliber of cigars you do, so my epic cigar might be just so-so to you. When I can control it, I keep my smokes at 62-64 but I see no reason that they can't be enjoyed or aged in most environments with a little time and patience. Cheers.

 

 

[oliverdst]

Accordimg to ANY dictionary a cigar at 80% is not called a cigar. It's called 'sponge'. And should be used only to extinguish fires.

[shlomo]

NOTHING tastes like a cigar straight from Cuba. They taste different than one that was bought elsewhere. I attribute it to the "freezing" they do for export cigars. 

[Wilzc]

Aging in Cuba is most definitely the best!

In the Cuban time machine, a cigar can be claimed to have aged 3-5 years in Cuba but in our world/timeline, barely a year has passed.


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[Nino]

On 8/11/2018 at 5:05 AM, El Presidente said:

 

On the other hand, I can't ever recall having a great cigar in Cuba (that was purchased in Cuba).  Invariably they are just too overhumidified for me.  Straight off  a rollers table, a farm freshie...had plenty of good to very good ones but not one that I would consider "stunning".  

Given that most cigars in Cuba are housed at around 80% RH and I enjoy mine at around 60% RH, it is hardly surprising. 

I have to agree with you on this.

As for cigars aging "better" in Cuba .... mañana ?

[Bagman]

18 hours ago, shlomo said:

NOTHING tastes like a cigar straight from Cuba. They taste different than one that was bought elsewhere. I attribute it to the "freezing" they do for export cigars. 

Wasn't it discovered here that the freezing only for export thing not accurate?   Only customs/farm rolls are not frozen.   Would take me forever to find that post, but someone in the know educated this to us recently.

[bpm32]

It’s almost impossible for me to be objective about this sort of thing. The most memorable meals I’ve had were probably due to the people I was with more than the food.

[shlomo]

25 minutes ago, Monterey said:

Wasn't it discovered here that the freezing only for export thing not accurate?   Only customs/farm rolls are not frozen.   Would take me forever to find that post, but someone in the know educated this to us recently.

I must have missed or forgotten about that post/thread.

If HSA freezes all cigars, even ones for sale on the island, they are doing a shit job with it...lol

[RijkdeGooier]

Always funny these mythical posts ...

Has anyone ever had a real aged cigar in Cuba (aged there). 

[LLC]

Wasn't it discovered here that the freezing only for export thing not accurate?   Only customs/farm rolls are not frozen.   Would take me forever to find that post, but someone in the know educated this to us recently.

I had posted a while back that Jose(Punch Joe) told me that all cigars were frozen, not just export.


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[LLC]

I must have missed or forgotten about that post/thread.
If HSA freezes all cigars, even ones for sale on the island, they are doing a **** job with it...lol

Issue is custom cigars or tobacco stored in Humidors in Cuba could be a easy source of beetles that then get into general stock. It could also be they are doing a **** job


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[Bagman]

Cool, I didn't dream that post!

[El Presidente]

1 hour ago, RijkdeGooier said:

Always funny these mythical posts ...

Has anyone ever had a real aged cigar in Cuba (aged there). 

Only from the lockers at various Havana LCDH. 

I know several other FOH members who have lockers there. It use to be quite popular until a few horror stories of collections being lost to beetle infestation. 

 

[shlomo]

7 hours ago, RijkdeGooier said:

Always funny these mythical posts ...

Has anyone ever had a real aged cigar in Cuba (aged there). 

Depends what you considered aged?

I used to easily be able to find sealed boxes with 6-8-10 years on them and they smoked just delightful. Those days are sadly long gone.