Resting Cigars

[rodwha]

Since I had 10 CAO Gold cigars and had been craving a puff I smoked one ROTT and found it to be a bit unpleasant until maybe the last 1/4 of a 5" stick. I can't say I've noticed this before, though I likely would have smoked an Avo as those were the ones I got in samplers. But I also didn't smoke as often so they sat longer. I'm going to need to keep these going better!

[StogieNinja]

Lots of good questions and answers here.

For me, there are a three different types of reasons to rest a cigar.

First, there's what I call "downtime" which is anything after initial receipt, up to somewhere around 6 months, the purpose of this being to let the cigars acclimate to your preferred rH.

Then there's "resting," which for me is anything longer than 6 months, the purpose of which is to let the cigars settle into themselves a little bit. I've found with a lot of cigars, especially inexpensive cigars, six months or more can take off the rough edges, smooth them out, and help a cigar go from "meh" to "pretty decent." Take the Ramon Bueso Genesis. A bit rough initially, but with 6 month to a year, it becomes a much better cigar all around. The heavier dark cigars generally seem to benefit most from a resting period.

Then there's "aging" which is periods from a few years to decades, the purpose being to let the cigars age and the flavors marry. This results in a more complex smoke in many blends, but also can result in a flat and boring smoke in others.

The tricky thing is that not all cigars benefit from aging, and some are really only great after aging. One of my early favorites, the Liga Privada No. 9, smoked very well after a short bit of downtime, no rest or aging was necessary. In fact, a few that aged over a couple years tasted somewhat flat and boring compared to their young vibrancy. I find this is generally true of most full-bodied maduros, they smoke better after some downtime, but slowly lose that sparkle over time, though there have been wonderful exceptions. Conversely, I've smoked a few Opus X that were merely decent when young, but with a few years on them, they become exceptional cigars. Many Cubans are good both fresh and aged, the fresh ones being full-flavored and bold, the aged ones being more complex and nuanced.

So, the whole key is to get an idea of how cigars age by smoking from a box or a five pack over a period of time, and the only way to do that is to practice. After a few years of doing this with various fivers, you'll get an idea of how you think a cigar is performing now, and you can make an educated guess as to how it will age over time. Of course its just that, a guess, and there are no guarantees, but that goes for just about everything as regards cigars! It's one of the most frustrating and beautiful aspects of this hobby of ours.

[Automator]

I've been monitoring this thread and I think I'm beginning to understand the concept of resting or downtime as the case may be. Now, I'm putting together a wineador and will at some point soon transfer many cigars from a desk top humidor that stays at about 66% and 72° (though the temperature does vary some). The wineador is holding at 66° and about 66% rh. I understand that cooler air can hold let moisture than warmer air and that the moisture level of the cigars will be (some measure) less at 66° than at 72° given the same rh. First question: Am I being a picker of nits? Second question: If not, should the resting period be started over after the cigars are transferred?
Thanks!

[HIM]

Am I being a picker of nits? Second question: If not, should the resting period be started over after the cigars are transferred?
Thanks!

Yes and no

[Automator]

Yes and no

Thanks guys. I'll resume picking nits now.

[Emperor Zurg]

First question: Am I being a picker of nits?
Thanks!

Nits are gross. You should pick any nit you see.

[Big Bull]

Nits are gross. You should pick any nit you see.

[BryGuySC]

I've not been doing this long enough to have too much wisdom to spread around, but what is working for me is to try to make my cigar purchases in the summer and fall then stash them in the humidor to smoke after spring comes around.
I smoke a pipe almost exclusively once the months turn cooler, so that gives the cigars time to rest.
Speaking of which, now that things are warming up, it is about time to find some sticks from last year and light 'em up!

[TreySC]

I've not been doing this long enough to have too much wisdom to spread around, but what is working for me is to try to make my cigar purchases in the summer and fall then stash them in the humidor to smoke after spring comes around.
I smoke a pipe almost exclusively once the months turn cooler, so that gives the cigars time to rest.
Speaking of which, now that things are warming up, it is about time to find some sticks from last year and light 'em up!

Sounds good, I'll be there around 6 what's for dinner?

[BryGuySC]

Sounds good, I'll be there around 6 what's for dinner?

I don't know, but we definitely need to hang sometime soon.

Any free Saturdays in May?