Creative Aging Techniques

[oneizzzz]

Hey FoH,

Has anyone tried completely drying out a box of new cigars and then slowly rehumidifying them?  I wonder how that would affect the ammonia, taste, fermentation, and aging process.

Any other creative aging techniques out there?

Thanks!

[MrBirdman]

Fully drying out cigars = no bueno

[Bri Fi]

I’m no scientist but I think if you want to quickly age cigars, you would want to introduce heat and moisture. It’ll continue the fermentation process. Probably not advised still. 
 

Overall, 19/20/21 is producing amazing sticks right now that can be enjoyed with little age. I don’t think there is a cheat code for aging cigars. Best to do it yourself by stocking up more than you smoke, or pay a premium on sites like bond roberts and buy aged smokes that someone else did the hard work for you. 
 

good luck. 

[Habana Mike]

Microwave on low with a small jar of water for 5 minutes. It adds 10 years. 10 minutes for 20. Amazing!

 

[Ginseng]

Uh no. That would be unequivocally bad.

If you want to force aging reactions (not including fermentation as finished cigars do not ferment), then heat and humidity are the factors you'll want to ramp up. But as far as I know, there is no analog to the wine aerators concept. It just works differently with a liquid.

[Meesterjojo]

I know my raching humidor has a rapid ready drawer at the bottom. I believe there is a flat heating element in it to help dry it out. I have yet to try it as I'm worried with my luck it'll set the whole damn thing on fire.