Cigar Age?

[customsfan]

Can you tell if a cigar is "young" or aged by simply looking at it? If so, what are you looking for?

 

[grateful1]

If you count the rings of leaves, starting from the inside, you still have no idea.

 

[CigSid]

If you count the rings of leaves, starting from the inside, you still have no idea.

Now that is funny!

It IS really hard to tell, unless the cigar has 15 to 20 plus years on it... The band will be very loose and have some oxidation on the sides where it is touching the other cigars, the cigar should have a "dusty" appearance, with a bit of "plume", and the really old cigars, mid 90's and earlier will have a few very small green splotches on the wrapper.

 

[customsfan]

Thank you

 

[vortex]

Some cigars have a box code or date on the bottom of the box. Cubans have a code that also tells you which factory produced them.
Some noncuban manufacturers are known for dating their boxes but many do not. Sometimes a dated inspection slip is inside the box.
FYI, there is a ton of great information already posted on this site. Pay special attention to the stickies at the top of each forum and search is your friend. Enjoy the site.
Steve

 

[CigSid]

Here is a pic of a band from a vintage cigar... you can see the oxidation...

 

[customsfan]

Never really paid much attention to bands at all. But even recently reading about fakes, it appears looking at the band is very important. Thanks

 

[stewa070]

Plume is a dead giveaway. Never thought about the bands either but you're right they are looser on my older cigars. If they're in cellophane then it should be a brownish color if it's an old cigar.

 

[KayakinBoy]

Cellophanes are not always the best indicator. I've noticed cigars stored in humidor with glass doors tend to have "yellower" cello than those that are not.

The bands are great examples. Especially if the manufacturers update them over the years.