Aging cigars in a cooler?

[glenn_herwig]

So I was killing time on amazon and I found this bad boy. Anybody use one of these guys for storage. Does anyone age their cigars? How does it alter the taste and aroma? Also what is your favorite drink to pair with a good stick?

All the best & Happy Holidays,

Glenn

[enjoythemusic]

Ah, you changed the post. As a cigar naturally ages you also have happening a bit of "micro-fermentation" and ammonia/etc will dissipate out. Personally, 70F is fine yet like 67% humidity. JMHO

[GerardoG]

Just as wine; they do change in flavor and complexity. Also, just as wine; not all cigars are aging-worthy. I store some for special occasions (I have done so for 10 years); with IMPRESSIVE results.

[glenn_herwig]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

You need air exchange, and a SEALED cooler doesn't provide this. As a cigar naturally ages you also have happening a bit of "micro-fermentation" and ammonia/etc will dissipate out. Personally, 70F is fine yet like 67% humidity. JMHO

So this would not be the correct equipment you are saying? What would be the proper way to do so?

[incontrol]

I agree with all of the comments above. I have many cigars aging nicely for more than 15 years. Like wine, some age and are better with time, and some become less complex and not as flavorful as when they were new.


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[theloxmyth]

NOTES from a master at BLOOM'S CIGAR...

A NOTE FROM MARC

Welcome to the official site of Bloom Cigar Company! In business 60 years. Honesty, integrity, and commitment to your satisfaction.

WHAT I'VE LEARNED

1. Cigars do not taste like food, if it tastes of mocha and cinnamon, you probably dropped it in your coffee.

2. Personally aging your cigars changes the taste. Cigars were meant to be smoked when you bought them.

ETC...(Click Link Above)

YMMV : )

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

You need air exchange, and a SEALED cooler doesn't provide this. As a cigar naturally ages you also have happening a bit of "micro-fermentation" and ammonia/etc will dissipate out. Personally, 70F is fine yet like 67% humidity. JMHO

Originally Posted by GerardoG

Just as wine; they do change in flavor and complexity. Also, just as wine; not all cigars are aging-worthy. I store some for special occasions (I have done so for 10 years); with IMPRESSIVE results.

all good advice.

[Sublover2166]

That cooled unit is perfect for folks who live in very hot climates such as south Florida and such who can not keep their house cool enough to store cigars. I use a wood cabinet for box storage, and since I have more cigars than I smoke, many of them naturally age until they are smoked.

[mjclark32]

I've had the wynter unit you posted for ~ three years now. It's been working well for me. Speaking of which, I need to reload it

[enjoythemusic]

Agree not all cigars age well. i have some 'fresh' three years aged and some with over 15 years of age. This guy makes a great humidor for the money IMHO www.avallohumidors.com

The one you posted is more a fridge with temp adjustment. Generally, home temp is fine and you GENERALLY need to be more concerned with keeping humidity at the right level. Agree Florida and other locations humidity is not as big a 'problem' as other locations (Arizona, New England winter months, etc). So i feel the one you posted is a bit 'backwards' in that it is temp adjust versus humidity adjustment. Sudden changes in temp can crack the outer wrapper and have seen this happen many times with others who go too high a humidity and then as temp changes upward it 'spikes' and then the wrapper cracks. Temperature and humidity can be 'linked' in a sense as one can affect the other to some extent.

[George Burdell]

When I worked in a cigar shop, we kept the humidor 70 degrees and 70 percent humidity. Always.

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by George Burdell

When I worked in a cigar shop, we kept the humidor 70 degrees and 70 percent humidity. Always.

Fine for non Cubans, but for Cuban cigars too much humidity. I keep mine at 65% humidity, as they draw better.

[incontrol]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Agree not all cigars age well. i have some 'fresh' three years aged and some with over 15 years of age. This guy makes a great humidor for the money IMHO www.avallohumidors.com

The one you posted is more a fridge with temp adjustment. Generally, home temp is fine and you GENERALLY need to be more concerned with keeping humidity at the right level. Agree Florida and other locations humidity is not as big a 'problem' as other locations (Arizona, New England winter months, etc). So i feel the one you posted is a bit 'backwards' in that it is temp adjust versus humidity adjustment. Sudden changes in temp can crack the outer wrapper and have seen this happen many times with others who go too high a humidity and then as temp changes upward it 'spikes' and then the wrapper cracks. Temperature and humidity can be 'linked' in a sense as one can affect the other to some extent.

Funny, I have had an Avallo humidor for at least 14 years now and going strong. It holds an amazing amount of cigars and maintains the humidity without any issues.

I highly recommend this company's humidor.




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[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by incontrol

Funny, I have had an Avallo humidor for at least 14 years now and going strong. It holds an amazing amount of cigars and maintains the humidity without any issues.

Awesome! Mine is a few years older than yours and even after three moves it still works great and has held up exceedingly well. Great humidors for sure!

[droptopman]

I use one. Only a few months now but really like the ease of use. Keeps humidity well and circulates air. Totally care free set up.
I have cigars in here that are 20 + years old. Been into cigars for 30 years and I am in the camp that aging adds complexity. Smoked a 20 year old Opus X this summer from the first batch. Hard to describe how great that cigar was after 20 years of aging.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by droptopman

Hard to describe how great that cigar was after 20 years of aging.

[mapalfa]

There's only one way to age a good cigar that get presidential approval:

[adg31]

A nice bottle of Malmsey Madeira is working well with a Montecristo Petit Edmundo this afternoon


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[Headshrinker]

I asked Santa for one for Christmas; maybe she'll get me one.

[Etschell]

i like cigars but not enough to bother with aging them.

[selpo]

That Whynter is a thermoelectric unit and will work fine for storing and aging cigars. Make sure you season the wood shelves first and get some two way humidifying medium like Heartfelt beads or Fragrance and dust free Kitty litter. I have two Newair CC280 as well as a Freezador and keep them at 62Rh and 65F, mostly smoke cubans and this setting works great.

And I love a good single malt with mine but sugary drink will slow down the Nicotine effect.