I understand the need to let cigars age. But I see that some are aged 3-4 years sometimes even 12 years at the factory. Do these need to be aged? Also Are there any cigars that are good as soon as delivered?

I dont think there is any serious need for you to age the cigars yourself. I say smoke them now.

Some people (including myself sometimes) do let their cigars rest for a few weeks to a month after receiving them in the mail. Sometimes retailers can store the cigars above 70% to keep them from getting too dry during shipping.

In the end, I think it all boils down to personal preference. You'll probably get as many opinions as the cello on/off debate.

yep - they are all smokeable now. some just get better with age.

grab a PAM or VSG or any Buc, AF, LPH... and fire it up.

I do have some gars that have a year plus but that happens when you have a bunch.

If you're talking about the Rocky Patel, then it's just the wrapper that's been aged... It never hurts to keep a stick in your humi for a year! Word to the wise 😉

Smoked a Rocky tonight.....mmmmmmmmmMMMMmmmmmm

jeezy peezy!

Jeff

I'm sure there are a number of reasons--properly calibrating humidity, taking the edge off younger tobacco, etc.--but in my experience, certain cigars benefit tremendously from a few months or more of humidor time before smoking. At one level, it doesn't seem to make sense for well aged cigars to benefit, but I've become a believer in aging. Many don't benefit ostensibly, but others can change dramatically in their taste profile, burn, and the overall enjoyment they provide (I've had a few that I didn't even recognize as the same cigar after several months). Aging can also make a really good cigar even better--e.g. I've had some Oliva O maduros resting for over a year, and they have gone from great to one of the best cigars I've ever smoked.

Just my 2 cents, but smoke some now and make sure to save a few for later. You might be very pleased with the results.

I agree with you guys 100%. Lots of gars benefit from age but you should be able to smoke when you buy on any quality smoke.

I think it's important to allow any cigars to stabilize for a few days before smoking them. Most cigars are shipped a bit damp, and need to dry down before smoking them.

Personally, I prefer cigars that I have aged for a few years at less than 70% RH. Cigars are processed vegetation and they do change over time; often mellowing and developing nuances of flavor. While I agree with the statement that age won't transform a pooch projectile into a VSG, I do believe that an aged VSG smokes better, for my taste, than one I've just purchased.

I just wish you could tell when the sick period would be - I haven't been able to tell by smell and some sticks I only have one or two of, so to hit them when they're sick ruins my only chance of enjoying it (until I can get another).

I just was reading an article on "vintage" cigars and one of the producers stated he would never smoke a cigar that has just been rolled even if aged tobacco is used. He claims it takes 2 years of aging to properly remove the mosture from the leaf and for the cigar to mature.

A good way to check this is to check the fit of the band. If the band is loose, it is because as the moisture level lowers the cigar get a little smaller.

I have heard the norm is for cigars to sit 6 months after rolling.

So the question is : What premium cigars sit this long after rolling and before distribution?

GT

GT: It isn't enough for the cigars to sit in the factory cold room for them to age properly. The excess RH and cool temperature often inhibit the aging process.

a lot (isn't the king of aging Padron?) but I think there's too many variables to make a blanket statement like that. the 'casa de torano' that I had was fresh rolled (about 10 seconds old) and yum,yum,yum!

Regarding the sick cigars, if I hear a sneeze or sniffle from the humi, I'll let them rest for a while before smoking them. If they feel a little warm, I'll put a thermometer up there to see if they are running a temperature. If they are, I'll dip the tips in NyQuil, light it up, and then wake up 3 days later with a crazy hangover.

Quality cigars should be good smokes when you buy them. But aging does amazing things to most cigars. As a case in point....a box of AF858 maddies when new are nice cigars. But leave them in your coolerdor or humi for 2-3 years at 65-67% and I guarantee you it will be a near religious experience.