I was thinking of setting some habanos aside for long term aging. I was going to put some of the bands that I made for the birth of my son on some sticks and then smoke them when he graduates. So the question is - which of these would do best aging for 18 years?

H.Upmann Mag 46

HdM Epicure 2

PSD3EL

San Cristobal La Punta

Bolivar RC

PSD4

HdM Piramide

I know oily sticks are good for short term aging, but what about 18 years?I figured the more oils/strength a stick has, the more it can weather a long aging process...but then I though the less oils/strength it has maybe the less it will change...I guess I'd go with a stronger stick...but still would like others suggestions/input based on the above selection.Thanks!

good question. Too bad some of the veterans are gone.

yup,it's like a class system is emerging...sucks...

But I still have hope - yoohoo...FOG's....

Save two of each, one for you and one for him. In 18 years you can tell us which one held up the best.

I would go with the Partagas and the Bolivar cigars. However, I think any of them aged that long would be wonderful sticks.

E...send them to me...i will age them for you and send them when you want them...bwhahahahhahaha...

RasDas

Joe

Russell, can you expound on the difference between aging for 3 or 4 years and for around 20 years? I've heard arguments on storing at 70% or 60-65% for long term and think the consensus was that a lower humidity would slow the aging process?

oh yeah, should I age them with or w/o the cello?

(that was for slim) : )

Aging is a tricky thing, and open to interpretation. IMHO not very many cigars would benefit from such a long period of aging, but if you're gonna do it Cubans are the ones. Aging sorta mellows ot a smoke, strenght and nicotine wise, and it helps the flavors to marry and become much more complex. If it was me I would age the Epicture #2, this is a very complex smoke and aging would benifit it greatly, I've smoke some with 8 years on them and are absolutly amazing!!

The Magnum 46 is a stron smoke and not very complex, aging might bring it to a new level, but I've never had a real old magnum, so that's only a guess. I would definately age the PSD4 as it is an amazing smoke, a few weeks ago I was gifted a 6 year old PSD4 and it was freekin' inzane, the friend who gave it to me didn't tell me what it was, and let me tell you I had a very hard time figuring it out, I'd never guess it for a PSD4, but he swore it was. It was a tottaly different smoke. Also the BPC would be amazing, I have some from 96 and they are outstanding, the rest, I wouldn't know, although the PSD3 sounds like it would be a good candidate.Hope that helped

well, I'm glad I got a genuine effort from someone! Good info albert, everyone has different tastes, I was thinking the mag wasn't strong enough - I'll probably go with some bigger sticks, although I have also heard that the Epi 2 can stand the test of time....I'll take an assortment - PSD4,Epi2,Boli Gigantes if I can get my hands on one, maybe a Lusi if I can get another... and let you know the results in 18 years...

Based on the relatively few "aged vintage" cigars I have been lucky enough to smoke, I would also agree with the ISOM's.....However, I am not convinced that "they" will continue to improve for all of the 18 yrs...probably for 10 years, and then slowly decline.....My question would be will your son appreciate what is is he is smoking, or more so just appreciate that his Dad planned 18 years for a special event? I think it is a great sentiment, and my hat is off to you. Your son is lucky to have chosen you...

thanks kornazoo! I think I'll start him on domestic premos by age 10 and then cubans by age 12, so he should be able to appreciate a fine cigar by age 18....

I'm KIDDING!!!!

...I'll wait until age 15...

Mag 46 would be my choice. Those La Puntas are from 2001 anyway, and they are already smelling and looking "ripe".

Wouldn't the PSD4 mellow out too much, with that much age?

Congrats on Danny-boy!

age 9

Roy Orbison sunglasses

La Punta dangling from his mouth

OMG!

smelly, the PSD4 are excellent candidates for aging, I don't know about 18 years, I am one who thinks that there is a curve to it, after a while the benefits become less and less noticible. Again, I've never had an 18 year old smoke, ever, so if there are some of you who have a few, I'll taste them and let ya'll know.....LOL

PSD4 will mellow out, and the OOMPH that once was there will be much more mellow, but the flavor profile they develop and the complexity far outweights the OOMPH factor, I was floored when I tasted an aged PSD4, needless to say I am now currently burrid my last one for a long aging process.

E, I also did the same thing, I purchased some SIGLO VI made in Oct 03 (my sons BDAY) and will not open the box for at least 6 years, was hoping to haVE MY FIRST ONCE MY SON TURNS 10 AND EVERY YEAR AFTER THAT HAVE ANOTHER.......

wow, sounds great albert! I was actually thinking of using some powerful, straightforward albeit less complex cigars such as a PSD4 or a big boli - I've heard that most prime candidates for long term aging will still only peak at 10 years and then may diminish slightly with only certain sticks being able to reach maximum potential later, but I doubt a psd4 or even psd3el, boli, etc. will be anything worse than ALMOST perfect by then...

I'm also doing something similar to you - planning on buying a box sometime and then labeling each stick by year - 25 years out, and then smoke one every wedding anniversary - saw this idea on another BB and thought it was cool and a good experiment...(I'm young enough that I actually might make it through a whole box...)

I've heard that beyond 5 years, the effect is not noticeable and in fact longer periods, 10 years and more will be deleterious because of loss of essential oils.