Experienced cigar enthusiasts prefer the pleasures of a well-aged cigar. The subtle flavors and complex constitution of an aged cigar is unforgettable. Like wine, many cigar aficionados and snobs swear by the process of aging. In order to be a great cigar, the argument goes, it must be an aged one. How can you attain a well-aged cigar that provides the mellow, complex flavors you crave? You can always fork over a good deal of your money and purchase a box of expensive vintage cigars. If you would rather save the money and experiment with aging on your own, here are a few tips to help you get started.
You will have to be patient if you want a properly aged cigar. IT takes about a year in order to achieve the flavors and complex subtleties of a well-aged cigar. Also, know that in order to achieve the rewards of a well-aged cigar, you must begin the process with a high quality cigar, not the cheap supermarket brands. If you try to age a lower quality cigar, chances are any amount of aging won’t improve their flavor significantly. You can buy a wide variety of quality cheap cigars online. IF you have purchased some high quality cigars that you find too strong or odorous, they may be perfect candidates for aging. In fact, almost all high quality cigars can be improved through the process of aging.
Purchase yourself a good quality humidor. You can also find cheap humidors for sale online. The cigars must be stored in a constant and stable temperature and humid environment. Follow the 70-70 rules. That means the humidity must be at a constant humidity of 70%, and at a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Of course, the environment in which they are stored is crucial. The 70 rule is a good guideline. Any more and your cigars will get moldy. Any less and the aging process begins to be stunted. Maintaining a stable environment for your cigars is key even if it is slightly off of the 70 mark. Storing them in a constantly fluctuation environment can be disastrous. Swings in temperature and humidity cause cigars to expand and contract, cracking their wrappers and it may disrupt the aging process. In a perfect world, the space in the humidor should be about twice the volume of cigars. I prefer the aromatic scent of a cedar humidor. Arturo Fuente cigar fans are familiar with the smell. They pack cedar scented packets in with the box of cigars. It is the first thing you notice when you open a new box. With the passage of time, the interaction of the tobacco oils amongst themselves cause the flavors to blend. With the cedar oil of the wood it leads to a mellowing and blending of flavors resulting in that subtle complexity you can only get from proper aging.
Have you ever wondered where tobacco came form or where cigars were first produced? It is commonly believed that cigars were first produced in Spain because for years Spain was the leading producer of cigars. But before cigars became very popular in Europe, cigar tobacco was needed to make them. Tobacco is indigenous to North and South America. Native populations have produced it for hundreds of years. It is believed that the Maya of Yucatan peninsula in Mexico and parts of Central America were one of the original tribes to begin smoking tobacco. Slowly, tobacco use spread to other surrounding tribes. It is believed that its first use in the United States was probably among the tribe along the southern end of the Mississippi river. It wasn’t until Christopher Columbus sailed his famous voyage to the Americas in 1492 that the rest of the world came to know tobacco.
Apparently, Columbus was not impressed by tobacco or its use among native peoples. Yet, many sailors grew found of the strange spicy plant. Because of its rarity, it quickly caught on in Spain and Portugal. From there, it spread to France, where the French ambassador Jean Nicot lent his name to the scientific name for tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). The origins of the word tobacco itself are still suspect, although many believe it is simply a corruption of the word Tobago. Tobago is the name of a Caribbean island where explorers would certainly have visited. Still others believe it comes from the word Tabasco, a region in Mexico.
Along with many other farms during that era, the first tobacco plantation in the United States was established in Virginia in 1612. More tobacco plantations followed up and down the coastal colonies soon after. Although tobacco became a popular crop, colonists only smoked it in pipes. The cigar was not introduced to the United States until the late 18th century. Israel Putnam, an army general who had served in the Revolutionary War, is credited with introducing the cigar to the United States. Putnam had traveled to Cuba after the Revolutionary War and returned with a box of fine Cuban cigars. Naturally their popularity quickly spread. Soon enough there were cigar factories being established in the area of Harford, Connecticut, where General Putnam resided.
In Europe, cigar production and consumption did not achieve widespread popularity until after the Peninsula War in the early 19th century. British and French veterans returned to their homelands after years of serving in Spain. Among the aristocracy, the favored method of enjoying tobacco was the cigar. Cigar smoking remains a habit associated with the wealthy to this day.
