Second, is the reason you want to age CC's that they simply get that much better or are they just not smokeable without age? Alot of non CC smokes are great without age on them, granted most smokes are much better with some time in the humi, but are CC's a diff. breed of cat and have to be aged

Third, CC's then I assume are like good wine, some years are better than others. If that is the case, how do you know which are good years and which are not short of spending 1000's of dollars on numerous boxes, aging them for years only to find out they were not very good to begin with?

thanks for your help bruthas,

Lefty

I won't talk about engaging in criminal activity nor be a party to it!

http://www.cubanlous.com/cuban-codes-i-12.html 

Theoretically if you received these from a reputable source (and not soem random guy on Craigslist) then it MAY mean the contents are ready to smoke.

However:

1) There is a lot more to the measure than just box codes.

2) Request pictures of the box (all sides).

3) it is just as easy to purchase new cigars and place them in an old box.

Some cigars get better with age, others don't. It doesn't matter where they come form. Most cigars smoke right out of the box but six months of age has yet to hurt any cigar I know of. Once again it doesn't matter whetre they come from.

Bottom line is most cigars from Cuba have had to contend with high demand while at the same time facing a lack of investment. This has led to rampant theft and counterfiting while at the same time delivering varying levels of quality legitimate product. As such many folks belive certain years while having good yeilds resulted in sub par products with poor quality. This appears to have improved somewhat since 2008. According to many in the tobacco industry the best crop in 30 years was the 03 crop.

Then again many avoided anything from 2001 - 2007 due to the wildly varying quality.

I'l also send you a PM with some addiitonal info...

Dave

Hell if you know where to get CC's from 04 and 05.....clue a Brother in.

Not an expert by any means but I will throw what little I know at you.

And the answer to #1 is most likely yes.........Been sleeping in a warehouse somewhere.Before you commit fill me in as to the supplier.....I have a long list of not so reputable retailers.

#2.As I understand this only the loose tobacco is aged til ready.Once rolled these are boxed and shipped.Secondary fermentation takes place in the first 12 months after boxing......These sticks can be downright awful during this sick period.

#3.Absolutely.........Anything 98 snatch it up.This was the HOLY GRAIL of CC's til 08 rolled around.Not sure if the 8's will be better or not but some insiders say yes.99 thru 2002 avoid like the plague.....poor quality control and mediocre tobacco.Anything 03 and after with an emphasis on 06 and especially 08.2010 looks promising as well.

Shoot me a PM and let me know what you're really thinking Dave.I'll help all I can.

Ron

There are some generalizations that make sense but your own personal experiences will mean the most to you.

For example: Ron's quote above, "99 thru 2002 avoid like the plague.....poor quality control and mediocre tobacco."

I still have a partial box of Bolivar Royal Coronas from 2001 and they are by far the best RC I have ever had and I have sampled every year since. My point is there are so many exceptions and individual tastes involved.

DED

In general, CC get better with age. However, like every organic product, it has its peak. The goal is to smoke them at, or close, to its peak.

Because weather and soil composition change from season to season, tobacco change as well. So, there is no predetermined number of years for the CC to reach its peak. Just like fine wine, one will have to try one every 6 months or so.

This

"There are some generalizations that make sense but your own personal experiences will mean the most to you."

Sounds like an expert to me. I know nuttn about CC's like this. I just have had some gifted to me. some I have pitched and some I smoked. some have been dynamite and I loved them.

Mr Innocent...........................LMAO

Ron

Sounded like it to me...

Not exactly good for the karma 😟

DED