The "30 Day Rule"

[shrink]

I want to start a thread on the "30 day rule", in some circles known affectionately as "Van's rule". This rule is based on solid experience and refers to the importance of giving a cigar which has been shipped overseas at least a month in the humidor to stabilize and re-humidify. Why is this necessary? Because during shipping, the cigars are exposed to a wide range of atmospheric pressures, temperatures, and humidity fluctuations that can "shock" the cigar and make it susceptible to a poor burn and/or unrepresentative and unpleasant flavors. I've had cigars ROTT (right off the truck) that were unusually "wet", dry, bland, bitter or harsh, but after being given some "down time" in proper storage, they smoked beautifully.

On the other hand, I've had some cigars ROTT that were surprisingly good. Luck of the draw? Perhaps they were wrapped especially well, or were in an ideal condition at the time of shipping. Who knows? The only thing I know for sure is that the longer that you allow an internationally-shipped cigar to stabilize, the "better" (actually the more representative) it will be.

Now this doesn't mean that you can't break the rule, if you are especially curious, or just plain impatient. I've done it often enough, though not nearly so much now, as I did when I first got the Habanos "bug". No, I just realize that I'm flipping a coin... I just might be pleasantly surprised, but much more often I'll be disappointed. In either case, just be aware that you won't be able to take the "full measure" of your purchase for at least a month or two.

[Don Candido]

I am not trying to argue with Shrink at all. I find smokes always do better after settling.

Still - I pretty much always break this rule. I never make a firm judgement until later, but I break this rule regularly. Every now and then there is a problem, but more often than not, the smokes are fine early. They are often not as good as they are a month later. But I do not find smoking soon after shipment is a big problem for me. That is the way I have done it for 14 years.

That being said, I smoke one from a box. They would have to be incredible for me to smoke more early. I always age cigars before smoking many.

[El Presidente]

Great post Shrink

E=MC2

Enjoyment = Mood x Condition 2.

Mood = Right setting + minimal expectation + correct beverage + state of mind + good health.

Condition = Cigar rest of 30-90 days + 60-65% humidity + dry box a day or two + decent draw + good blend

[Dogwatch Dale]

Great post Shrink

E=MC2

Enjoyment = Mood x Condition 2.

Mood = Right setting + minimal expectation + correct beverage + state of mind + good health.

Condition = Cigar rest of 30-90 days + 60-65% humidity + dry box a day or two + decent draw + good blend

So that's what Einstein meant! And all this time I thought he was a pipe smoker.......

[Tampa1257]

The 30 day rule is an excellent guideline IMHO. Rob slipped it in without much fanfair:

"Condition = Cigar rest of 30-90 days + 60-65% humidity + dry box a day or two + decent draw + good blend

I am referring to the 30-90 days, the longer the better condition the cigar will be for your smoking pleasure. I also know that the waiting period is a direct function of your inventory, thye fewer you have, the closer to 30days is all you can wait, if you have 90 days of inventory already on hand, the longer you can wait to checking out that new box.

[aavkk]

Tom, that is a good question. I could be wrong but arent the cargo plains of fed ex and others not temp controlled? I also picture it sitting in the warehouse over the weekend in 30 degree temps.

[Tampa1257]

Tom, I do not believe that your briefcase is in the cargo hold of the airplane. The temps and airpressure are not the same as the passenger area where you have your briefcase stored.

[Van55]

As the "Van" after whom the so-called "Van Rule" is named, I want to point out that, in strongly advocating that people let newly purchased cigars acclimate in their own homidors for a MINUMUM of 30 days after receiving them, I never intended it as a "Rule." Rather, it is a discpline that I impose on myself after a number of bitter experiences proved to me that smoking newly shipped cigars "right off the truck" presents a substantially increased risk that the cigar will not be as enjoyable as it will be after being stored in my preferred conditions long enough to adapt to them. If it is a "rule" at all, it is merely a rule of thumb.

For those, such as our esteemed host, who simply can't resist ripping open box of newly released cigars before even logging them into inventory, God bless you. You're not breaking any rule, and your reviews are interesting reading. But don't expect me to give any long-term credence to the conclusions you draw after such impetuosity.

[broozer]

one thing i've found from having a growing collection is that i have enough cigars that i can let newly aquired ones rest for 30-120 days without a problem. every time i try and smoke a cigars within two weeks of getting them i am always dissappointed. hell, i even let my piedras rest at least two weeks.

bruce

[crazypoet]

Given the number of cigars I smoke vs the number I buy, a 30-day wait is not a problem!

I think I've got about a three-year supply at the moment...

[El Presidente]

For those, such as our esteemed host, who simply can't resist ripping open box of newly released cigars before even logging them into inventory, God bless you. You're not breaking any rule, and your reviews are interesting reading. But don't expect me to give any long-term credence to the conclusions you draw after such impetuosity.

Esteemed my arse I hope that I always caveat a review of a new cigar by stating that I have given them no rest. Still I enjoy "tasting" or getting a sense of where the cigar may go.

[anacostiakat]

Esteemed my arse I hope that I always caveat a review of a new cigar by stating that I have given them no rest. Still I enjoy "tasting" or getting a sense of where the cigar may go.

Yea, esteemed is based on those esteeming you.

The rule has proven out more times than not. No problem trying one whenever you want. But I do agree that the rule rules. . .

[Van55]

Esteemed my arse I hope that I always caveat a review of a new cigar by stating that I have given them no rest. Still I enjoy "tasting" or getting a sense of where the cigar may go.

Did I type "esteemed"? I meant to type "steamed."

[phxkev]

The same concerns could be applied to non-Cubans purchased at stores here in the US. If you bought a cigar and sat down in the store to smoke it, it may have just come off a FedEx or UPS plane from whereever that brand ships from and even sat in a warehouse for a weekend and then on a hot or cold delivery truck that day.

[sepp]

I am getting about 2/3 of the way through a PC and Robusto Sampler set from Czar that was procurred in September. I freeze the stock now upon arrival further forcing the wait period.

My experience is as follows: Sampling started at about 31 days. I have had enough depth of each brand and vitola to be able to sample the same cigar several times over the last 60 days. At a month the basic flavors were there but I can definitely tell you that after 60 and now 90 days they are really starting to settle in and get consistent.

Just my 2 cents.

[mkz]

In my opinion: 60 days

[rudder]

I usually smoke one after a week of sitting and then the rest sit for 60 days.

[Fatshotbud]

I am a ROTTer - No guts no glory I say.

But only with box purchases - If there was a sampler and I only had one or two of a cigar then I would wait.

I am like that picture of the buzzards - "Screw waiting, let's kill something".

[brooklyn]

LOve the equation. Although I rarely resist a new smoke, I have found that the longer the rest, the finer the smoke.

[GP012]

And here I was thinking this was about the 30-day rule of possession.

[greenpimp]

In general, I agree. However, if the cigar "feels" ready to smoke I will often give one a go. (Crinkly to a light squeeze, firm.) Some of the best cigars I have had have been smoked upon opening (a vivid BBF in 2003 springs to mind.)

I think the longer it travels, the less ready it will be to smoke. If they feel wet or mushy I don't even bother. If it is a high-end smoke I plan on parsing out to myself anyway, I wait.

I also cling to the belief that I may well die tomorrow, and will miss out on dozens of cigars I have never tried because the time wasn't "right."