Selection for long term aging

[Jnewt64]

Which to choose...

You walk into a shop, there are 60 boxes of a cigar you have been wanting to purchase. After speaking with the owner he agrees to allow you to inspect each box prior purchase. So you go through each carefully and end up with 2 boxes to pick from.

One is a stand-out, lovely silky-oily wrappers, great construction etc.

The other, not as pretty however still very high quality but the Aroma coming from this box is leaps ahead of the first box.

 

Which do you choose?

 

box 1- the beauty queen

box 2- the runner-up with the greatest smell ever

[nKostyan]

Not so easy to choose. Each brand has its own rules. For example, RyJ Cazadores should be chosen by the fragrant smell, and Churchills by the appearance of the wrapper.

If you do not know the tricks of all brands, choose the wrapper-in most cases it will be the best cigars, even if there is a smell of ammonia - make them aged and they will be excellent

[Islandboy]

Going with aroma has never let me down, although this is also a pretty good indication they’re going to smoke well sooner. 

[Puros Y Vino]

Aroma is a sign of life.  You want to smoke these cigars,  not look at them.

[BrightonCorgi]

I'd go for construction and looks.  Have had plenty of nice smelling tent pegs.