The legal age of a cigar?

[WittyUserName]

I have a question about how long to age a cigar? Is there a such thing as to long?

Most of my collection is fairly new. I only have three cigars that I have been aging for more than a year. I understand the rule of 3s and I always let my new one rest for the proper amount of time.

The three cigars that I have been aging for a while were all gifts to me and previously aged.

OpusX XXX - 4 years prior 3 under my care
Casa Fuente - 2 years prior 3 under my care
OpusX Fuente Fuente - 1 year prior 2 under my care.

First off, should I continue to let these three age or is there a proper time to smoke them?

Second is there another general rule for most other cigars other than the rule of 3s?

Thanks,
Adam

[Ogre]

It varies on the cigar, some better with age while others don't. It is figuring out what you like is the challenge at hand. Opus usually require at least 2 years IMO. While others get weaker with time. Sorry, wish I could be of more help.

[Bill86]

For the record, the rule of 3's is a joke.....seriously...in case you didn't know.

It holds ZERO truth or merit. However letting them sit for 3 weeks after you receive them isn't a bad idea, but hardly a fact by any means. Some might need more, some might need less.

Obligatory "aging is a crapshoot"

:2

[CigarNut]

I have a question about how long to age a cigar? Is there a such thing as to long?

Most of my collection is fairly new. I only have three cigars that I have been aging for more than a year. I understand the rule of 3s and I always let my new one rest for the proper amount of time.

The three cigars that I have been aging for a while were all gifts to me and previously aged.

OpusX XXX - 4 years prior 3 under my care
Casa Fuente - 2 years prior 3 under my care
OpusX Fuente Fuente - 1 year prior 2 under my care.

First off, should I continue to let these three age or is there a proper time to smoke them?

Second is there another general rule for most other cigars other than the rule of 3s?

Thanks,
AdamIn all seriousness, the so-called "Rule of 3's" was "invented" (I use that term loosely!) by a Cigar Newbie based on no knowledge. There is no rule of 3's.

Age cigars as long as you like. Some cigars age better than others. For example, Padron says NOT to age their cigars because they are not meant to be aged.

The only way to know if aging is helping is to try the cigars...

[Emjaysmash]

I say smoke that opus XXX!

[T.G]

The three cigars that I have been aging for a while were all gifts to me and previously aged.

OpusX XXX - 4 years prior 3 under my care
Casa Fuente - 2 years prior 3 under my care
OpusX Fuente Fuente - 1 year prior 2 under my care.

First off, should I continue to let these three age or is there a proper time to smoke them?


All up to you man.

Some people like them fresher, some like them aged. It's all personal preference.

[MajorCaptSilly]

I don't think you will be dissapointed with any of these at their current age. I've been smoking Anejo Sharks from 2010 and they are fabulous.


MCS

[NCRadioMan]

In all seriousness, the so-called "Rule of 3's" was "invented".................There is no rule of 3's.


Blasphemer! Long live the Rule of 3! :noon

[Ranger_B]

Because most NC cigars have a good ammount of age on the tobacco before it is rolled your best to sample from a group of cigars while you age to see the changes. I understand that in your case you only have a couple and in that case I say smoke one and see what you think.

[GreekGodX]

Blasphemer! Long live the Rule of 3! :noon

:tpd: :r

[kelmac07]

Where is Hankerson/Wilkerson (whatever his name was) when you need him? :r :r :r

[WittyUserName]

<---- NOOB

Thanks for the advice guys.

[Blak Smyth]

If you do get up the nerve to smoke them make sure you give us some reviews.
I would have a hard time smoking something I have been keeping for that long, I would almost be tempted to call them an antique and keep them forever!:r

[Subvet642]

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSbGFoICuStjuGO0BC9CLiiqnGrZ8BME WscsRgSZ8HHD4nEkJpy

Smoke zem, smoke zem all!

[pnoon]

Where is Hankerson/Wilkerson (whatever his name was) when you need him? :r :r :r

We need him like we need gonorrhea.

[Bill86]

Where is Hankerson/Wilkerson (whatever his name was) when you need him? :r :r :r

Nickerson.

We need him like we need gonorrhea.

This.

:r

[jjirons69]

The info I've gathered over the years is most NCs don't age well. Prime example, Shilala's blind review contest. Some might, but most probably don't. CCs seem to take aging better. DaKlugs is a firm believer in at least 10-year old Cohibos and he's smart.

[wayner123]

Second is there another general rule for most other cigars other than the rule of 3s?

Thanks,
Adam

Here's my general rule:

Smoke em if ya got em.

[mmblz]

The info I've gathered over the years is most NCs don't age well. Prime example, Shilala's blind review contest. Some might, but most probably don't. CCs seem to take aging better. DaKlugs is a firm believer in at least 10-year old Cohibos and he's smart.

as far as the shilala contest - based on your comment I was expecting it to be "compare a fresh NC to an aged one". But all I found was this:


I just got caught up with your reviews, Wayne. You did an awesome job, and your prize smokes are on the way. :D
I posted my thoughts on the jar process over in Eric's thread, and I'm going to post them here because it answers to the aging comment you made. These particular cigars turn to crap in a year to 18 months in the humi, they just completely die and turn to flavorless nothingness. I think the jars slowed that death by a good year or two. These smokes, from my experience, should have been tasteless by November of '09. So I think the jars help, but I was looking for something that absolutely halted the downfall of these cheapo cigars and kept them good forever. To that goal, they failed. They still worked much better than my winador and cabinet humi, for sure. We're working with bottom-line crap tobacco, so the jars could very well still be a huge help with good weed. Time will tell.

Here's the post I made over in Eric's thread. Your prize smokes have been sent as well, and I thank you VERY much for suffering through this!!! :tu

...
The Arizona Cardinals remark made me LOL. :D
Well done, Eric. I don't think I could have been blessed with two better reviewers than you and Wayne.
I'm not sure if the jar/review experiment showed me anything that was really quantitive. If anything, it supported my personal thoughts that aging cigars sucks for my intents and purposes. After a time, they just go blah, and that's that. I do feel that the jars slowed the aging on this value tobacco, as they'd have gone south and been completely dull in a year to 18 months time in the humi. I can say that because I've tested and watched it happen many, many times. I just wanted to find a way to keep a nice, strong, flavorful, full-bodied cigar from suffering the sands of time. The jars help, but they aren't the fountain of youth I was looking for. Unfortunately, they may be the only option.
I know cc's have special magical powers that make them super better with age, but in my experience, just as many of them suffer from the aging blahs as do nc's. I'll always respect "smoke what you like...", and being an objective/subjective argument, it's all unwinnable and senseless. I wouldn't want to tear down anything that gives anyone joy, that's for sure.
I absolutely believe that the quality of the tobacco that's used to roll any cigar, cc or nc, makes all the difference in the world as to how it will age. A good plant grown in stellar soil, then prepared with great care is going to yield that nuance that a good nc or cc will gain with age. By the same token, they'll lose the strength and flavors they began with while they travel to nuance-ville.
It's hard to make the call. Do I smoke it now while it's awesome, or do I wait ten years and see what happens on the chance it may even be a better but very different cigar?
If I like a cigar but it's too strong and overpowering, time is going to soften it and make it "better" for me. I just have never found a cigar that needed calmed down strength-wise. It's a great tool for guys who would enjoy a milder cigar, for sure.
The longer I go and the older I get and the more I fuss and study, the more I am on board with the old cc and nc producers/rollers who say "these are best RIGHT NOW". I'm not so sure they even mean right now as opposed to letting them sit around for a long time. I think they simply mean it's best to be smoking any cigar RIGHT NOW than not smoking a cigar.
I can live with that. :tu

so - scott thinks they don't age well, and then based on a numeric rating of cigars of a certain age, concludes that those reviewers support his theory???
:sh

doesn't say much to me...

[Noodles]

First off, should I continue to let these three age or is there a proper time to smoke them?


Thanks,
Adam

Legal age of a cigar? Varies from state to state. You need to always check for their ID. :D

Second is there another general rule for most other cigars other than the rule of 3s?


I used to follow lots of rules. I do away with most of them now. It takes the fun out of smoking cigars. However, I would advise you to read up and follow them as well. Then decide for yourself if they are for you. The journey of discovery is half of the fun of smoking cigars.

[357]

Blasphemer! Long live the Rule of 3! :noon

You're terrible Greg. :r

[Skywalker]

There was a rule of 3?:sh

[jjirons69]

3 meals a day

[N2 GOLD]

It all comes down to trial and error. You need to experiment on your own & find out what works best for you & your developing palate. What you find works for you may not work for the other guy. The best part is all the cigars you will smoke between now & when you DO find your " LEGAL AGE " :2

With that said smoke AWWWAAAYYY... -(P

[Doctorossi]

I don't think you will be dissapointed with any of these at their current age. I've been smoking Anejo Sharks from 2010 and they are fabulous.

:tpd:

In my experience, Anejos are good at any age (or lack thereof) and don't seem to perceptibly change very much with time.

[WittyUserName]

thank you all for the advice, I will begin "carding" immediately. I will also strike the rule of 3s from my memory, honestly I had no clue it was a joke. It seems to make perfect sense. I hope my noobness as been educational to other noobs before they believe everything they read on the interwebs.


:tpd::sh

[Blak Smyth]

thank you all for the advice, I will begin "carding" immediately. I will also strike the rule of 3s from my memory, honestly I had no clue it was a joke. It seems to make perfect sense. I hope my noobness as been educational to other noobs before they believe everything they read on the interwebs.


:tpd::sh

I being a noob myself am "pretty" sure
the rule of three is sensable in many cases, you just can't live by it. There is no concrete rules when it comes to cigars.

[pnoon]

I being a noob myself am "pretty" sure
the rule of three is sensable in many cases, you just can't live by it. There is no concrete rules when it comes to cigars.
I respectfully disagree.
I still think 2/3 of it is a crock of sh!t.

Besides that it is not widely heard of (let alone held) by many outside of CA.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Blak Smyth]

I respectfully disagree.
I still think 2/3 of it is a crock of sh!t.

Besides that it is not widely heard of (let alone held) by many outside of CA.
Posted via Mobile Device

I actually thought it was bigger than it is only because I have seen it thrown around elswhere, maybe it is growing? Either way I take most information I receive on CA as found wisdom. Kinda like learning from others mistakes so I don't have to make the same ones. Actually I don't know what all the rules of three are, I couldn't find it anywhere, but everytime parts of it where referenced it seemed to make some sense. I am just a confused noob though.

[T.G]

thank you all for the advice, I will begin "carding" immediately. I will also strike the rule of 3s from my memory, honestly I had no clue it was a joke.

Wise decision and don't worry about it too much, just realize it's largely unfounded nonsense and ignoring it is the best thing you can do. I'm sure some, maybe even many, of us fell for some bad advice at some point along the way when we were new too.


It seems to make perfect sense. I hope my noobness as been educational to other noobs before they believe everything they read on the interwebs.


:tpd::sh

Actually, it makes very little sense. When you take into account that there are many different types of tobacco out there and they all have different characteristics, properties and will behave and mature differently, anything so broad applied to aging is ludicrous. Now, toss in the varying amounts of age given to various tobaccos by the manufacturers before rolling and not every piece of tobacco used in a cigar will be the same age, then also the aging that occurs at the factories post rolling, even the aging that occurs in the box at the retailer (you have no idea how long that box sat in the warehouse at CI, JR, Holts, Famous, etc...). The bulk of the "rule" goes right out the window.

The only part that is remotely worth a crap is the "rest the cigars for 3 weeks after shipment" and even that is hardly accurate and very dependent on the pre-shipping storage conditions and shipping conditions.

[mmblz]

I respectfully disagree.
I still think 2/3 of it is a crock of sh!t.

So you're saying it's really the "rule of 1" ?
:r

[icehog3]

I actually thought it was bigger than it is only because I have seen it thrown around elswhere, maybe it is growing?

Only because the douchebag who came up with it has joined several other forums since being booted from here. ;)

[JWC]

There was a rule of 3?:sh

??? You got me. I was hoping to find someone explain them. I guess I'll Google. The only "rules" I really follow are 65% and I never smoke ROTT.

[T.G]

??? You got me. I was hoping to find someone explain them. I guess I'll Google. The only "rules" I really follow are 65% and I never smoke ROTT.

No need to google - it's all right here:
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=48249

[bruceolee]

as some have said, I really never age my NC's intentionally. NC tobacco is usually well aged enough to smoke right out of the gate. CC's on the other hand if I get something made this year I usually won't touch for 5 years.

This is just my opinion. There's no real right or wrong answer for me. The fun with cigars is trial and error and the adventure of discovery. Find out what works for you and listen to those older, wiser inmates as they usually have some really good advice. :ss

[Jasonw560]

I use a rule of 3's. I use 3 fingers to squeeze the cigar while in the cello, after it's "settled" for about a week. If it's firm with a little give without being too spongy, I consider that to be ready.

Kinda like an avocado. But I use 4 fingers for an avocado.

[CasaDooley]

I believe in the rule of 3.:D
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2xMGI-QpZw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2xMGI-QpZw)