Resting cigars, what a difference!

Z

zackly

Maturing Primate
I bought a 500 stick capacity humidor in the spring. I’ve been acquiring a lot of cigars, mostly from Cigar International. Like many here, I’m anxious to try new arrivals immediately. If they are a stick I’m unfamiliar with I have been smoking one when they arrive then putting the rest to bed to acclimatize in the humi.
I have been noticing the tremendous change for the better after this rest.
Cigars that tasted bitter, bland or smoked poorly on arrival now have mellowed &
smoke great. Two recent examples:
I bought a 10 pack of Don Pepin Garcia Series JJ & a few RP Decades about a month ago. Both were initially disappointing especially the Decade which received a very high rating in Cigar Aficionado. It was not loaded with “flavor”. The JJ was harsh on the tongue and had burn issues.
Now they both smoke like a dream. Great taste & perfect burn.
I’m sure part of the reason is the new, larger humidor. It is a much more stable environment with only small swings of R/H. That wasn’t the case with my other small boxes. I'll be interested in how my cigars change after longer aging.
 
I had a JJ this morning that also had been resting a few months.

It was outstanding--you are correct, they just need a bit of rest.

:tu
 
Look back to last Spring, that is when the slope got a great deal steeper for you!

I do the same as you although I know that the sticks may be bitter, harsh, etc but I just cant help it.
 
I have found that cigars that are meant to be shipped are stored at a higher humidity than most store there own stogies at and the larger the ring gauge the longer it takes to bring the rh down to what I consider a good smoking rh. I like to smoke sticks at about 60%, next time you get a delivery throw a few in a zip lock with a hygrometer and see what they read.
 
I intially was smoking a lot of things fresh when I first started, but as I had a chance to collect a few more like you did... I also started to age them... now I find it difficult to smoke most cigars fresh...

I like about 6 months on most of them to get them to a nice happy place!!:r
 
Nice to hear of your personal experiences. I heard the same thing on these boards before I started ordering online. I am still very tempted to smoke things ROTT, and I want to just to see the difference, but so far I've been able to wait 3 or more weeks before trying them. It helps having a lot of other sticks to try. Thanks for reinforcing this "tool" for better cigar enjoyment.

Also, good to know about the ring guage thing as I hadn't directly related that yet.
 
Like any of us, cigars too require a little rest before they shine. It is tough to wait to have one that you've been drooling over, but most of the time, it's well worth it. Especially if it's a new Opus...
 
jjirons69 said:
Like any of us, cigars too require a little rest before they shine. It is tough to wait to have one that you've been drooling over, but most of the time, it's well worth it. Especially if it's a new Opus...
Click to expand...

:tpd: If I buy a box, I almost always give in and smoke one within a couple days of getting them. I'm weak.
 
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