A cigar is not necessarily finished evolving when it leaves the factory.
For many cigar enthusiasts, part of the fascination lies in what happens over time. A well-made cigar can change as it rests, gradually developing different aromas, flavors and smoking characteristics.
But does aging always make a cigar better?
The answer is more nuanced than simply saying that older cigars are better. Aging can change a cigar, sometimes in desirable ways, but the result depends on the tobacco, the blend, the cigar's condition and how it has been kept.
What Does Aging a Cigar Mean?
Cigar aging refers to the gradual changes that occur in tobacco over an extended period of time.
Even after fermentation and rolling, tobacco continues to evolve. Over time, certain compounds can change and the different components of a cigar can become more integrated.
This process is often described as allowing a cigar to "settle."
The result can be a smoother and more harmonious smoking experience, although the character of the cigar may also change considerably from what it was when relatively young.
Why Does Tobacco Change Over Time?
Tobacco contains numerous natural compounds that contribute to its aroma, flavor and character.
After a cigar has been produced, these compounds continue to interact and evolve.
With time, some of the sharper characteristics of younger tobacco may become less pronounced. Flavors can become more integrated, while aromas may develop greater complexity.
This does not mean that every cigar will automatically become smoother or more enjoyable.
Different tobacco varieties and blends respond differently to aging.
Not Every Cigar Needs Years of Aging
One of the most common misconceptions about cigar aging is that every cigar should be stored for many years before smoking.
That is not necessarily the case.
Some cigars are blended to be enjoyable relatively soon after production. Their balance and character may already be where the blender intended them to be.
Others may have the structure and tobacco quality to develop significantly with additional age.
The important distinction is between a cigar that improves with age and a cigar that simply becomes older.
Age alone does not guarantee a better cigar.
What Happens During the First Few Months?
After a cigar has been produced, it may still be going through a period of adjustment.
The various tobaccos in the blend need time to settle together.
During this stage, a cigar may sometimes show sharper, stronger or less integrated characteristics.
Resting can allow those components to become more balanced.
This is one reason some smokers choose to let newly acquired cigars rest before deciding what they think of them.
What Happens After Several Years?
With longer aging, changes can become more subtle.
Depending on the cigar, flavors may become more integrated and certain aromatic characteristics may become easier to distinguish.
Some cigars develop notes that were less obvious when they were younger.
Others may gradually lose some of the intensity that made them distinctive in the first place.
This is an important part of cigar aging:
development does not always mean greater intensity.
Sometimes aging produces greater balance and complexity rather than a stronger flavor.
Wrapper, Binder and Filler Age Together
A cigar is made from several types of tobacco that perform different roles.
The wrapper contributes significantly to the aroma, flavor and appearance of the cigar.
The binder helps hold the cigar together and contributes to its smoking characteristics.
The filler provides much of the structure and complexity of the blend.
Because these tobaccos can have different characteristics and ages before rolling, the way they develop together over time can be complex.
The final result depends heavily on the particular blend.
How Long Should You Age a Cigar?
There is no universal aging period.
Some cigars may show noticeable development after several months.
Others may benefit from several years.
A smaller number of cigars can continue evolving for much longer.
Instead of following a fixed rule, experienced smokers often approach aging experimentally.
Smoke one cigar relatively young.
Keep another from the same box for a period of time.
Then compare them.
This creates a much more meaningful understanding of what aging has done to that particular cigar.
The Importance of Patience
Aging cigars requires patience because the changes are gradual.
It can be tempting to check a cigar every few weeks and expect a dramatic difference.
In reality, meaningful changes may take much longer to become apparent.
This is part of what makes cigar aging interesting.
It transforms the cigar collection into something that changes with time rather than remaining completely static.
Aging Is Different From Simply Storing Cigars
Proper storage and aging are related, but they are not the same thing.
Storage is primarily about maintaining a suitable environment for the cigar.
Aging is about allowing the cigar to develop over time within that environment.
Without appropriate storage conditions, aging becomes difficult to evaluate because environmental problems can affect the cigar itself.
Good storage therefore provides the foundation, while time allows the tobacco to evolve.
Should You Age Every Cigar?
Probably not.
Some cigars are best enjoyed relatively young. Others can be interesting candidates for longer-term aging.
The best approach is to learn the character of the cigars you enjoy.
If you find that you prefer the intensity and freshness of a younger cigar, there is no reason to wait years.
If you enjoy softer, more integrated and complex flavors, experimenting with aged cigars can become an entirely different part of the hobby.
There is no single correct way to enjoy a cigar.
The Best Way to Learn About Aging
Perhaps the most useful way to understand cigar aging is to experience it yourself.
Choose a cigar you enjoy and set several aside.
Smoke one now.
Smoke another after six months.
Then compare another after a year or longer.
Pay attention to:
-
Aroma before lighting
-
Draw and construction
-
Flavor intensity
-
Balance
-
Strength
-
Complexity
-
Finish
-
How the character changes throughout the cigar
Keep notes if you want to make the comparison more meaningful.
Over time, you will begin to recognize how different cigars respond to age.
Time Is Part of the Cigar
Aging is one of the aspects that makes cigars different from many other tobacco products.
The experience does not necessarily end when the cigar is made.
A cigar can continue to evolve, and the smoker can choose when to experience it.
Some cigars may reveal their character early. Others may reward patience.
The interesting part is not simply waiting for a cigar to become "better."
It is discovering how the cigar changes with time.
And sometimes, the cigar you enjoy most is not the oldest one in the collection — it is simply the one that has reached the character you personally enjoy.
