Thankyou for sharing this knowledge with us. Delayed gratification is a problem when I have a box of cigars. With time I hope to build a collection. Regards, Lachy from Sydney Australia
Make a video/guide for USA citizens to make the trip to Cuba. Interested in how to get there, when is the ideal times to go, what destinations you recommend and most importantly what not to do .
Hello Habano News, I'm watching this video from Germany. I love your videos and they help me a lot in my cigar journey. I'm always happy about a new video from you :) There's one thing I wish from you though, it would be great to hear you in better sound quality with a microphone ;)
Thank you very much sir for your feedback. You are totally right. Here is the explanation. When I am in a lounge and I make a video, there is always a background music. Eventhough the music is low when I post the video on UA-cam I get a warning from UA-cam for Music Rights violation so I have to use a software to clean the sound of my video which damages the original sound. On this last video I was on a terrasse and there was anlot of sound outside. Samething I had to clean the video hence the disappointing result. Thanks again for the feedback.
Thank you for this wonderful and informative video. Would you say buying a cabinet which does not offer temp control is better than buying a thermoelectric humidor that offers temp control? I ask as I know I would not be able to bring down the temp in my area to 16 - 18 centigrade with a cabinet humidor whereas a good electronic humidor offers this function. In both scenarios I will maintain humidity with plenty of Boveda of course. Appreciate your response.
Great video! Love the channel and the content you produce. I have a couple of questions on aging. Do you believe there is difference from new world cigars and Cuban aging? I live in US and during my travels I’m able to buy Cuban cigars, but I usually buy singles. Can those be aged as well as single? I use a cigar cooler, so temperature and humidity can be easily controlled. Last question, I like to keep the temperature at 62-65 f but the humidity usually around 70%. Do you believe the 70% humidity is too high? Thank you so much for the help! Continue making amazing videos!
Hello, I do not have any experience of aging non Cuban cigars but I don’t see why they would not age like Cuban cigars do. Temperature and Humidity control of cigars is not a perfect science. Most special mist are agreeing on a Relative Humidity level of 65-70%. Then temperature in Cuba is rarely below 30C or 86F. We know from all Chemist that lowering temperature is slowing the aging process so if you want to keep you cigars at 62-65 it is fine.
Excellent video, you've touched on all of the important points with equanimity and good sense, obviously based on real life experience. Personally I don't have the luxury of being able to store my boxes for thing in a cooler environment, at least not one that won't risk contaminating them with undesirable odours. But on the other hand, my humidor works very well, and by chance has two distinct zones, the area reserved for boxes, and a drawer with holes in the bottom and movable separations that I rigged myself from pieces of cedar. This allows me to maintain a steady 66-68% for the boxes, and around 70% for the loose cigars I store up top, ready for smoking. the temperature remains constant around 72°, perhaps not ideal, but it has not appeared to have caused any damage or degradation, and I have a few Habanos that have aged up to 25 years that were in perfect shape and had neither shrunk very much nor slit or cracked, and that retained a marvellous balance of flavours. As I only tend towards more powerful and fully flavoured brands like Partagas, Ramon Alonso, and certain Bolivars and Montecristos (mostly special editions of the latter for aging), I find they tend to smooth out and lose a bit of the potency of certain flavours, but the overall effect is so smooth and pleasing, while still retaining the punch and development of these stronger varieties, that the aging is well worth it. I always have a 50 cigar cabinet of Lusitanias as an aging staple, these are the the sine qua non for my tastes, and I also have had great results with Churchills, Gran Coronas, and even Lonsdale's. I have not attempted aging smaller vitolas other than one 25 unit box of Ramon Allonso Specially Selected that I had bought during the cigar boom, that like many Habanos at that time had been shipped far too green, and were almost un-smokable due to the bitterness and acridity. But I smoked them all within a year or so and so never found out how they would age longer than that. At the moment my favourites are a box of Limited Edition Montecristo Double Coronas I picked up at the Partagas factory in Habana around 2008, a cabinet of the Partagas Lusitanias whose remaining cigars are probably over 20 years old, and the last of a box of Por Larranaga Lonsdale's that is probably also close to 20 years old. These were amazing at the time, I should have bought another box to age. IIRC from a visit many decades ago, Sautter in London had a great selection of aged cigars, they were stored very dry at around 60%, not sure of the storage temperature as I had not even thought to ask when seeking advice on aging.
Hello, How much does ambient temperature affect the cigar’s performance? If the temperature in my humidor and house is warmer than the outside temperature (due to winter), does this have negative affect on the cigar? Ie - cracking or bitterness? For me, smoking in the winter environment is not very pleasant due to wrapper cracking and/or bitterness, and I don’t know if it’s due to temperature difference from my warm house to cold outdoor temperatures. Thanks
Higher temperatures tend to age the cigars faster. Like all chemical reactions the higher the temperature the faster the reaction. Do not worry humdity control is far more important than temperature 20-25 is not a problem. Do you believe that Cuba is colder than this? Enjoy!
How to navigate humidity if I can't controll temperature? I have 22-23 degrees Celsius most of the time, which humidity level gonna be better for that temperature level?
Humidity means relative humidity. It is the humidity level at the temperature of the humidor so no need to change anything. 65 to 70 is good. Do not worry.
I too don't have a temp controlled humi. Don't need one in Hawaii. Mine stay around 80°F so I keep the rh between 62-67rh. No bugs, no mold. Box kept in a unplugged wine cooler. Perfect since it's sealed tight. Cubans and non Cubans contained but in they're boxes... Years without issues. Been aging from 35 years so retirement sticks sleeping ... Can't wait .edit: I have 5 fans soft blowing within ..
@@habanonews thank you very much. I thought it's not relative humidity, I use boveda, I have 69 and 72 and it's not changind due to temperature, so I thought that temperature makes cigars more sensitive to the humidity due to raised temperature, so they can become overhumidifyed. Am I wrong? Should I aim to lower humidity if temperature raises and higher humidity if temperature falls? Thanks
thanks for the info, as a budget( cheap skate) cigar smoker i was considering buying some smokes from the back wall of the Paiute Indian smoke shop in las Vegas.@@habanonews
Consensus among professionals - meaning growers, rollers and generally producers, not reviewers or aficionados - is that there is no such thing as aging or micro fermentation or development by pass of time on a rolled cigar. Fermentation of leaves is a chemical process resulting from pressure, humidity and temperature which cannot be replicated by leaving rolled sticks in a humidor for some time. An aged cigar is just an old cigar and it will taste different than a fresh stick. Some people like that taste, which is normally milder on the sharp notes such as spice, and all respect to them. But that is not the result of a chemical process, is just oxidation through pass of time.
Thank you for your very useful comment. During my study I have realized that there are 2 conflicting concepts regarding aging. Like 2 opposite philosophical currents. Zino Davidoff’s and the micro fermentations and others who do not validate the concept of micro fermentation. In the middle you had Simon Chase who said: « I don’t know what is happening inside a box of cigars when it ages ». I must investigate further
That’s a very good, detailed but not to complex description of how to age cigars, thank you, one little point Id like to add in my opinion is to age a new box of cigars and control the aging process yourself, if you buy an older box that’s already been aged for a number of years you don’t know how well the previous owner has aged it, unless obviously from a well respected supplier😁
You are totally right. Just like with a bottle of wine you don’t know where it has been seating for many years if you buy it aged but unlike the bottle wine which cannot talk, the cogar wrapper will tell you if it has suffered.
I can still say that it's a bit weird that you're buying a product that is some times very low quality unless you wait 5+ years to smoke it, when it's supposed to be amazing from the moment of purchase. Kinda rubs me the wrong way.
I can disagree on the point that several fresh boxes I've tried were borderline unsmokable. This can be due to the general decline in quality with Cubans, but it still doesnt make sense for you to pay hundreds of dollars for a box of cigars that would ideally be enjoyed at least 5 years down the line.@@habanonews
You gave more relevant detail about aging cigars then anyone i have come across thus far. THANKS!
Thank you Sir!
Thank you for the video clarifying the subject.
"It is not a perfect science" "check your cigars".. Thank you
Keep making these videos, big thanks for sharing the knowledge.
It’s so true back then there was no humidor! All the science created for marketing reasons.
65-65 is the common rule for aging cigars. Thank you
Fantastic. Very clear! And helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
Spot on conclusion sir
Thank you
Thankyou for sharing this knowledge with us. Delayed gratification is a problem when I have a box of cigars. With time I hope to build a collection. Regards, Lachy from Sydney Australia
We are all the same Temptation is a common vice hard to resist
Thank you. I always enjoy your content and videos. I should show my appreciation more often. Thanks again, much appreciated. ❤
Thank you very much. Much appreciated
Can you please make a humidor tour of your own 🙏
Make a video/guide for USA citizens to make the trip to Cuba.
Interested in how to get there, when is the ideal times to go, what destinations you recommend and most importantly what not to do .
I would love to.
Hello Habano News, I'm watching this video from Germany. I love your videos and they help me a lot in my cigar journey. I'm always happy about a new video from you :) There's one thing I wish from you though, it would be great to hear you in better sound quality with a microphone ;)
Thank you very much sir for your feedback. You are totally right. Here is the explanation. When I am in a lounge and I make a video, there is always a background music. Eventhough the music is low when I post the video on UA-cam I get a warning from UA-cam for Music Rights violation so I have to use a software to clean the sound of my video which damages the original sound. On this last video I was on a terrasse and there was anlot of sound outside. Samething I had to clean the video hence the disappointing result. Thanks again for the feedback.
Thank you for this wonderful and informative video. Would you say buying a cabinet which does not offer temp control is better than buying a thermoelectric humidor that offers temp control? I ask as I know I would not be able to bring down the temp in my area to 16 - 18 centigrade with a cabinet humidor whereas a good electronic humidor offers this function. In both scenarios I will maintain humidity with plenty of Boveda of course. Appreciate your response.
I would not say that. If you can afford a thermoelectric humidor then it is definitely thte best solution. It will avoid the temperature changes.
Great video! Love the channel and the content you produce.
I have a couple of questions on aging.
Do you believe there is difference from new world cigars and Cuban aging?
I live in US and during my travels I’m able to buy Cuban cigars, but I usually buy singles. Can those be aged as well as single? I use a cigar cooler, so temperature and humidity can be easily controlled.
Last question, I like to keep the temperature at 62-65 f but the humidity usually around 70%. Do you believe the 70% humidity is too high?
Thank you so much for the help! Continue making amazing videos!
Hello, I do not have any experience of aging non Cuban cigars but I don’t see why they would not age like Cuban cigars do. Temperature and Humidity control of cigars is not a perfect science. Most special mist are agreeing on a Relative Humidity level of 65-70%. Then temperature in Cuba is rarely below 30C or 86F. We know from all Chemist that lowering temperature is slowing the aging process so if you want to keep you cigars at 62-65 it is fine.
@@habanonews thank you for the reply! I appreciate it!
another great video mate
Excellent video, you've touched on all of the important points with equanimity and good sense, obviously based on real life experience.
Personally I don't have the luxury of being able to store my boxes for thing in a cooler environment, at least not one that won't risk contaminating them with undesirable odours. But on the other hand, my humidor works very well, and by chance has two distinct zones, the area reserved for boxes, and a drawer with holes in the bottom and movable separations that I rigged myself from pieces of cedar.
This allows me to maintain a steady 66-68% for the boxes, and around 70% for the loose cigars I store up top, ready for smoking. the temperature remains constant around 72°, perhaps not ideal, but it has not appeared to have caused any damage or degradation, and I have a few Habanos that have aged up to 25 years that were in perfect shape and had neither shrunk very much nor slit or cracked, and that retained a marvellous balance of flavours.
As I only tend towards more powerful and fully flavoured brands like Partagas, Ramon Alonso, and certain Bolivars and Montecristos (mostly special editions of the latter for aging), I find they tend to smooth out and lose a bit of the potency of certain flavours, but the overall effect is so smooth and pleasing, while still retaining the punch and development of these stronger varieties, that the aging is well worth it.
I always have a 50 cigar cabinet of Lusitanias as an aging staple, these are the the sine qua non for my tastes, and I also have had great results with Churchills, Gran Coronas, and even Lonsdale's. I have not attempted aging smaller vitolas other than one 25 unit box of Ramon Allonso Specially Selected that I had bought during the cigar boom, that like many Habanos at that time had been shipped far too green, and were almost un-smokable due to the bitterness and acridity. But I smoked them all within a year or so and so never found out how they would age longer than that.
At the moment my favourites are a box of Limited Edition Montecristo Double Coronas I picked up at the Partagas factory in Habana around 2008, a cabinet of the Partagas Lusitanias whose remaining cigars are probably over 20 years old, and the last of a box of Por Larranaga Lonsdale's that is probably also close to 20 years old. These were amazing at the time, I should have bought another box to age.
IIRC from a visit many decades ago, Sautter in London had a great selection of aged cigars, they were stored very dry at around 60%, not sure of the storage temperature as I had not even thought to ask when seeking advice on aging.
Great write up and explanation. Thank you! I was missing number 7 only! How important is that step? I’m using an electric humidor for consistency
Thank you. Electric humidors are the best for peace of mind.
As long as your cigars are fine no worries about N.7.
@@habanonews You can say that again, 2 years ago I bought 2 Newair electric humidors, now I sleep peacefully.
Hello,
How much does ambient temperature affect the cigar’s performance? If the temperature in my humidor and house is warmer than the outside temperature (due to winter), does this have negative affect on the cigar? Ie - cracking or bitterness?
For me, smoking in the winter environment is not very pleasant due to wrapper cracking and/or bitterness, and I don’t know if it’s due to temperature difference from my warm house to cold outdoor temperatures.
Thanks
Higher temperatures tend to age the cigars faster. Like all chemical reactions the higher the temperature the faster the reaction. Do not worry humdity control is far more important than temperature 20-25 is not a problem. Do you believe that Cuba is colder than this? Enjoy!
Are we talking specifically for aging or everyday smoking?
A bit of aging always help even 6 months make a great difference.
How to navigate humidity if I can't controll temperature? I have 22-23 degrees Celsius most of the time, which humidity level gonna be better for that temperature level?
Humidity means relative humidity. It is the humidity level at the temperature of the humidor so no need to change anything. 65 to 70 is good. Do not worry.
I too don't have a temp controlled humi. Don't need one in Hawaii. Mine stay around 80°F so I keep the rh between 62-67rh. No bugs, no mold. Box kept in a unplugged wine cooler. Perfect since it's sealed tight. Cubans and non Cubans contained but in they're boxes... Years without issues. Been aging from 35 years so retirement sticks sleeping ... Can't wait .edit: I have 5 fans soft blowing within ..
@@habanonews thank you very much. I thought it's not relative humidity, I use boveda, I have 69 and 72 and it's not changind due to temperature, so I thought that temperature makes cigars more sensitive to the humidity due to raised temperature, so they can become overhumidifyed. Am I wrong? Should I aim to lower humidity if temperature raises and higher humidity if temperature falls? Thanks
22 is too high I believe it effects the taste in long term
@@EnoDnd unfortunately I can't do anything with that :/
thanks for the info, but you need a lapel mic. :)
I do have one on. The issue was the noise from the construction of the building next door
If you can afford it, Aristocrat makes amazing cabinets!
will a budget cigar if aged properly for a very long time come close to becoming a premium smoke?
Of course. Most Aficionados will prefer an aged Standard Production cigar to a Special Edition cigar.
thanks for the info, as a budget( cheap skate) cigar smoker i was considering buying some smokes from the back wall of the Paiute Indian smoke shop in las Vegas.@@habanonews
Consensus among professionals - meaning growers, rollers and generally producers, not reviewers or aficionados - is that there is no such thing as aging or micro fermentation or development by pass of time on a rolled cigar. Fermentation of leaves is a chemical process resulting from pressure, humidity and temperature which cannot be replicated by leaving rolled sticks in a humidor for some time. An aged cigar is just an old cigar and it will taste different than a fresh stick. Some people like that taste, which is normally milder on the sharp notes such as spice, and all respect to them. But that is not the result of a chemical process, is just oxidation through pass of time.
Thank you for your very useful comment. During my study I have realized that there are 2 conflicting concepts regarding aging. Like 2 opposite philosophical currents. Zino Davidoff’s and the micro fermentations and others who do not validate the concept of micro fermentation. In the middle you had Simon Chase who said: « I don’t know what is happening inside a box of cigars when it ages ». I must investigate further
That’s a very good, detailed but not to complex description of how to age cigars, thank you, one little point Id like to add in my opinion is to age a new box of cigars and control the aging process yourself, if you buy an older box that’s already been aged for a number of years you don’t know how well the previous owner has aged it, unless obviously from a well respected supplier😁
You are totally right. Just like with a bottle of wine you don’t know where it has been seating for many years if you buy it aged but unlike the bottle wine which cannot talk, the cogar wrapper will tell you if it has suffered.
If the maker says 12 years aged on the cigar...why the hell do i need to age it...
I can still say that it's a bit weird that you're buying a product that is some times very low quality unless you wait 5+ years to smoke it, when it's supposed to be amazing from the moment of purchase. Kinda rubs me the wrong way.
Just like high end wine. It is very good but it gets even better with time. That is very simple.
I can disagree on the point that several fresh boxes I've tried were borderline unsmokable. This can be due to the general decline in quality with Cubans, but it still doesnt make sense for you to pay hundreds of dollars for a box of cigars that would ideally be enjoyed at least 5 years down the line.@@habanonews