I kinda like mine the best at about 8 months after I get them in my hands. That's speaking of nc's. They seem to get real good at that age, once I've got them dried out and rested a bit. Then there's a window of about 4 to 6 months where they're at their peak, then they just mellow to wherever they plan to be for a long time.
I tend to like my cc's fresh, as well. As long as they aren't bitter, they're ready for me.
I'm definately the exception, I'd think. It's just what I've found I like, for the most part. Aside from that, I could care less about age just so long as they're smoking good and taste good.
I've smoked lots of old cigars, the oldest being just shy of 100 years. It was a good cigar. With nothing to compare it to like in Tom's experience, it was just a "thing". To try a 40 year old smoke of a marca I already very much like would be a whole lot more fun than just the random novelty of smoking a 100 year old cigar.
My suggestion would be to try anything you can get your hands on that has a little age and compare them to stuff that's ROTT and maybe 8 months to a year old. That'll tell you what YOU like, and that's what matters.
