How Old is Too Old??

[Uwiik]

I realized that I have been hoarding way more than I can smoke and now I start to worry if sometimes it can be just too old...I have a GR Lusitania, we know that the Lusi is from 2007 harvest being released in 2012, so by now the tobacco is 17 years old already, and I don't have any plan to smoke any yet as there hasn't been a celebration worth doing it in the past few months after I bought it. I have been hearing about vacuum packing to super slow down aging, perhaps I should do just that for the older boxes (more than 5 years)?

Realistically speaking, if being kept in good range (Temp&RH) without any special treatment such as wrapping/vacuum/tubos, how old is too old? 

[ShaazK]

Why wait for a special celebration to enjoy your best sticks?


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[Fuzz]

Agree. Time is fleeting, so smoke them when you can, for who knows what tomorrow may bring.

[Li Bai]

How old is too old 🤔...

I'm afraid you will have to find out for yourself as one's experience isn't directly communicable to someone else.

Try at least one of these soon and if they're to your taste you know what to do...

[Uwiik]

My whole house renovation should be done by August this year. I am going to Christen my cigar/stereo/alcohol lounge with a stick of Lusitania GR...that's the plan. After that, I will keep with my schedule to smoke one GR for one special occasion, otherwise it won't be special anymore no matter how good the cigar is? That's why I am a bit worried about longevity.

[Li Bai]

1 hour ago, Uwiik said:

My whole house renovation should be done by August this year. I am going to Christen my cigar/stereo/alcohol lounge with a stick of Lusitania GR...that's the plan. After that, I will keep with my schedule to smoke one GR for one special occasion, otherwise it won't be special anymore no matter how good the cigar is? That's why I am a bit worried about longevity.

I have a few boxes I was reluctant to open without a special occasion too but how will you know if they're to your taste already ?

For example I have smoked only one EspIendido in 20+ years and though I REALLY enjoyed it. I wouldn't buy a box as I feel I don't know it enough.

I don't look for vintage cigars, I prefer to age them myself to learn about their evolution and I don't buy boxes of cigars I'm not familiar enough with without having had the chance to sample them.

For what it's worth, my opinion is that one should be careful when buying expensive and rare boxes until they're certain they'll be able to enjoy it to the fullest. Still, yours is a really nice catch! 👍

[RDB]

And breathe… 

There’s no one right answer, a lot depends on your taste. Why worry? If you end up with too much aged stock, you can give it away or sell it. Plenty of folk enjoy smoking 50 year old cigars.

[Uwiik]

1 hour ago, Li Bai said:

I have a few boxes I was reluctant to open without a special occasion too but how will you know if they're to your taste already ?

For example I have smoked only one EspIendido in 20+ years and though I REALLY enjoyed it. I wouldn't buy a box as I feel I don't know it enough.

I don't look for vintage cigars, I prefer to age them myself to learn about their evolution and I don't buy boxes of cigars I'm not familiar enough with without having had the chance to sample them.

For what it's worth, my opinion is that one should be careful when buying expensive and rare boxes until they're certain they'll be able to enjoy it to the fullest. Still, yours is a really nice catch! 👍

Make sense. 🤙 

Fortunately I am familiar with Lusi, both fresh and aged (2019, 2020, 2023). I am actually very excited to smoke the GR Lusi and compare the experiences. In a few months I suppose... 

[BrightonCorgi]

If you vacuum seal the boxes, you won't have humidity worries.  Only constant temp.

Anything under 20 years I would not worry. If the boxes do get too old for your taste; sell them and buy a newer box. Half the fun is just getting a new box.

 

[teamrandr]

Really depends on the tobacco and how it was stored. I smoked a '03 Siglo VI a few years ago that was full if life yet. One of the best cigars I have had. I would try one out when you get time. Smoking a great aged cigar is a special occasion...

[anacostiakat]

Have decided not to wait any longer. Currently going through a cab of SLR DC's '05 and a box of Punch RS11's from '05 as well. Realized that I may as well enjoy them.

[gormag38]

I think you may find it beneficial to vacuum seal your boxes if you don't plan to touch them for 5+ years. It certainly doesn't seem like it would hurt anything (other than slowing down some of the maturing process). I've had sticks that are 20+ years that taste like hot air and others that could go down for another 20, just depends on the stock/marca. I'd think lusi (GR and RP) would do extremely well with extended time. 

Otherwise, I'd just leave well enough alone and let the time do the work. If you find in 5-10 years that the smokes aren't to your liking any more you can sell them; people love vintage stock. 

[Uwiik]

It seems like going more than 20 years is pretty common here, don't think I have much to worry before then. I'll smoke one to celebrate when the house is done and will post a review here. Thanks so much for the advice, good folks of FOH!!

 

1 hour ago, BrightonCorgi said:

If you vacuum seal the boxes, you won't have humidity worries. Only constant temp.

Anything under 20 years I would not worry. If the boxes do get too old for your taste; sell them and buy a newer box.  Half the fun is just getting a new box.

I have read quite a few of your posts about vacuum sealing. Just wondering if the 3-6 months sick period after breaking the vacuum is true? I was thinking to just vacuum seal some of the older and really exquisite boxes, break the vacuum when needed and vacuum again.

[Ford2112]

Sounds like you have way too many cigars. My mailing address is...

[BrightonCorgi]

8 hours ago, Uwiik said:

I have read quite a few of your posts about vacuum sealing. Just wondering if the 3-6 months sick period after breaking the vacuum is true? I was thinking to just vacuum seal some of the older and really exquisite boxes, break the vacuum when needed and vacuum again.

I've only tried one box that was vacuum sealed and it was great. I had given a couple of 10 count boxes as gifts and they were raving. It could be just to say so. I can say the aroma is amazing as I have check a few just to see how they are doing. I know some on here are deep on vacuum sealing for a long time. I would defer to them, but so far so good for me.

I wish I had been vacuum sealing a lot longer ago. I used to sell boxes of cigars I liked just to make room for other stuff not knowing vacuum sealing was as viable as it is. Or not ordering more cigars as I did not have the room. My cellar can be too humid to start the excess.

[Jack]

Aye, it's all about storage conditions. I have a tiny few tubed cigars that are 60+ years old and their scent is amazing.

[MagicalBikeRide]

I made a commitment to myself maybe 5 or 6 years ago to never again save a ‘special’ cigar for a special occasion. I’ve been disappointed so many times that I just gave up. Sticks that had previously been wonderful just didn’t live up to expectations or more commonly - the variance across sticks in the same box just left me wanting better. 
 

And on the flip side, almost all of my best cigar experiences have come when I sort of didn’t expect it. Impulse choice almost. 

[Li Bai]

7 hours ago, MagicalBikeRide said:

And on the flip side, almost all of my best cigar experiences have come when I sort of didn’t expect it. Impulse choice almost.

Agreed, when you don't expect much there can only be good surprises 👍