to Age or not to Age (newbie question)

[Yigal]

I just ordered a box of COHIBA - Robustos Tubos.  I'm new to CC's and wanted to store/age them properly.  My questions are:

1.) Do I leave them in the tubos with caps on in my tupperdor with 65% Boveda pack(s) OR do I remove them from the tubos OR do I unscrew the caps and store them that way?

2.) How long do you think they need to age until they're good to go?

 

Any comment/feedback is appreciated!

[StogieSteve23]

Welcome! My personal opinion below and no way reflect a totally right or wrong way to do things. Everyone has their own measures. 
 

I personally leave the caps on all my tubos, some people do as you said and remove the cap completely or unscrew to let in airflow. I believe it’s all preference and existing humidity levels of the cigars after receiving. 
 

Regarding the time, it’s all preference,  but I’d say give them at least 30-90 days (depending on transit times) to acclimate to your storage conditions before smoking one.  You can smoke one immediately ROTT and see what you think, or wait. I think it also all depends on how aged the sticks are once you receive them. Also, with something like CoRo, I’d say think about what your disposable income is and whether or not you can smoke one ROTT and what the financial implications will be if you don’t like that cigar. Having said this, there are plenty of people who enjoy CoRos in particular when very young. 
 

You be the judge and happy smoking! 

[KCCubano]

Advice above spot on. Really no right or wrong. YOU are the judge, jury and executioner. No one else. 

[Yigal]

Thanks for the advice.  So keeping the caps on will still allow for humidity to permeate into the tubo while in the humidor, correct? 

Also, how would I know the age of the CoRo's I'm getting?  Do they stamp the date on the C/P the tubos come in?  Thanks again!

[StogieSteve23]

1 minute ago, Yigal said:

Thanks for the advice.  So keeping the caps on will still allow for humidity to permeate into the tubo while in the humidor, correct? 

Also, how would I know the age of the CoRo's I'm getting?  Do they stamp the date on the C/P the tubos come in?  Thanks again!

Yes, airflow and humidity can still get in but at a much lower level.  Keeping the caps on can slow the aging process and keep too much existing humidity/moisture in the cigars, but taking them off or unscrewing enough to allow for more airflow can help to better balance the temperature/humidity levels in the cigars if there is in fact too much moisture already present. 

You said you ordered a box of CoRo tubos correct?  If you ordered a full box of 15, open the lid of the master cardboard pack and there will be a box code/date underneath. As an example, it would read something like UAO-SEP-19.  UAO (factory code) SEP (Month) 19 (year) of where and when the cigars were produced.  

[Yigal]

Cool.  Thanks.  Any tips to avoid mold? Are they humidified excessively from the factory?

[KCCubano]

Many distributors/vendors store in warehouses at varying temps and RH. I have had many arrive with excessive humidity. Given C19 and extended shipping times I would prefer it this way myself. I store all my Tubos with caps on. Others take them out completely and some unscrew caps. Not a very helpful answer to your question I guess. Im sure others will chime in with their thoughts. Rob I believe leaves the caps on all tubos. You are asking the right questions! 

[Chibearsv]

I’m one that thinks CoRo should have a couple years on them. I keep all my tubos in the sealed tubes mostly because I like the addition of the cedar aroma. Sometimes they can have mold on them but a quick wipe down solves that. 

[LLC]

I’d check them when they arrive. If they seem over humidified I leave the top off until they stabilize. If they seem fine, I’d be fine keeping the top on. 

[Hollywood Ninja]

I generally leave caps off for 90 days for sticks to acclimate to my preferred RH then put caps back on. I’ve heard rumors some magic happens to aged sticks in tubos.


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[RDB]

I think it’s generally accepted that keeping cigars in tubes with the caps on slows down the rate of ageing. Makes sense to me, as it will slow the rate of air exchange.

I’m with @Chibearsv in always preferring CoRo with a few years of age to mellow out. Plenty of other folk here like them fresh.