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How long do you let your sticks rest and why?

rectifythis

rectifythis

CP; may cause dependency
Joined
Oct 24, 2006
Messages
1,082
Location
East Valley, Arizona
I have seen threads in regards to letting your cigars rest and/or age and/or adjust to the ecosphere of your humi before smoking but really, how much difference does it make? If I go straight from the humidor at my local cigar shop and smoke it as soon as I get home isn't that basically the same as if it was in my humidor a while? I am curious because as of late I have been on a sampling craze and I can't let them sit more than a week because I'm so curious to see what the next one will be like. So far, of the 20 or so cigars I've recently tried, I have only like a few. I have heard letting them rest will change the flavor to the good. Could it be I am not liking most of them because they are to new? I don't have the patience to wait that long nor the capacity to store enough to age. Comments?
 
I usually try for a minimum of 8 weeks as I prefer a very low RH. It takes a long time for cigars to acclimate. If you pick up a stick at your local and they maintain a decent environ in their humidor then smoke away. Big difference between that and a week or two in transit via mail.
 
Stabilization takes only 6 to 8 weeks assuming they are coming out of a non-ideal environment. This time period will bring out about 50% of its potential. Allowing your cigars to age even longer will let the flavors of the blend meld and mellow into a more harmonious smoke. A cigar's complexities and flavor will be enhanced with long-term aging in a proper environment. Typically 1 to 3 years of aging will bring out 90% of a cigars flavor. To get that last 10% you would need to go to 5 years.IMHO

You should find a cigar you like and purchase a full box for storage. You can tap into it occasionaly if you have the desire and test the cigars changes.
 
Most of my stuff gets shipped by over night mail. So travel time is at a minimum.

I still like to let them rest at 65/65. Sometimes vendors over humidify the cigars and this time gives them time to be at a better level of humidity to smoke.
 
the best excercise is... buy a box of high quality stick... ie. maybe Padrons, or Cubans... left them stabilize for about 8 weeks at 65/65 and then start smoking one every three months thereafter... note your findings.
 
I go for two weeks minimum, if I want to smoke it soon. That to me gives it time to get adjust to my smoking preferences. To each his own. They just seem to get better after that. What jabba said is the way you will know what you like..
 
Seems like the best advice is keep smoking, eventually you will find the combination that works for you. But, the key words are always the same, keep smoking.

Fish
 
I have found as most here do as well that the B&M sticks are usually too wet for my liking. This translates to uneven burns and bitter tastes for me. I like to let them rest at least 4 weeks. 8 weeks if possible to let them come down to 65% where I like them best. If I bring a stick home and must smoke it that day, I usually let it sit out ona a table or something so it can lose some of its moisture. If you have the time for it, ageing will really allow for good smoking.
 
I also like to let it sit for at least 2 weeks (preferably 4 weeks if I get it at a B&M). In agreement with Marcos, if I smoke one right out of the B&M, it does taste bitter and I almost always have burn problems. I'm sure its due to the over-humidity since my B&M keeps there cigars at like 70/70. So I tuck it away in my 65/65 humi to get the moisture down. I can honestly say I've not had one burn out or bad taste from this method. And forget about aged cigars (1-3yrs) which are my absolute favorite no matter what it is. For me, it seems easier to grasp flavors and makes the experience alot better.

edit: I did remember one bad HDM that didn't pull at all but I'm sure it was the tight frickin roll it consisted of. But seriously, that was the only one :D
 
I dont smoke anything that has not been in my humi for less than 6 months. It gives everything a chance to get a minimum amount of age on it and I also know it is at a RH that I like.
 
Allofus123 said:
Burnt Tongue said:
Typically 1 to 3 years of aging will bring out 90% of a cigars flavor. To get that last 10% you would need to go to 5 years.IMHO
Click to expand...

This info is based on what?
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Experience and my opinion only, obviously there are alot of variables, environment, size, etc. Just because I'm new here doesn't make me new to cigars. I have been smoking them for 35 years. Does not make me an expert, but even a dope like me picks up a few things with that much time smoking. Again JMHO.
 
Now that I got a bit of a stash built up, I can let them sit for about 4 weeks if ordered over the internet. Each time I get anxious and smoke something soon after receiving it I've been disappointed. The same thing a month later is much better. 4 weeks isn't going to allow much 'aging', so it must be the humidity leveled out a bit more to my liking: 65-67%. If I pick up some sticks from the local B&M, I can smoke them right off and enjoy it.
 
Burnt Tongue said:
.....obviously there are alot of variables.....
Click to expand...

Obviously :D

Wasn't questioning how long you've been smoking..... just was wondering how you came about those rather precise percentages. After rereading your statements I do see where you say "IMHO".
 
When I get a new box I smoke one ASAP and let the rest sit for about a year, takes the harshness out if their is any.
 
If I have it "on-hand", it's smokable IMO.

But I don't have the stock nor storage to mess with the aging business yet. Maybe once I do and I see the difference I'll change my mind.
 
When I get a new box of cigars, I usually smoke one the next day, and let the rest sit for at least a month before I try another one. I am trying to give them at least 6 months, but that can be tough for me sometimes.
 
Qualls07 said:
When I get a new box of cigars, I usually smoke one the next day, and let the rest sit for at least a month before I try another one. I am trying to give them at least 6 months, but that can be tough for me sometimes.
Click to expand...

Yeah, anymore, that is my method as well. I like to indulge myself with one right away and that helps with my will power to not have another for a few weeks. Now if we're talking Habanos, that's another story. I just wait, wait and wait some more.
 
About a year. It’s easy to do when you get a larger stash going. I just tuck them away and basically forget about them and grab from the stuff that’s 2 years old. By the time I through that stuff the new will have 2 years on them. A wonderful little cycle. Although I must admit I like a fresh opus. I like that kick.
 
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