Cigar
smokers, especially connoisseurs, understand that the passage of time affects
the flavors and aromas of their cigars, just as it does with fine wines and
spirits.
This
phenomenon is especially important when it comes to premium cigars -made with
long fillers-, because the torcedor (artisan who makes the cigars) must
add moisture to the filler, binder and wrapper leaves, to facilitate blending and
ensure satisfactory evolution.
The final
fermentation process begins at that point, and it continues in the location
where the already twisted cigars are stored to rest for a while. They are then
ringed and placed in boxes that have been sealed and labeled with the month and
year of manufacture.
The age of
the cigars in the box begins to be measured at that point and continues until you
smoke it. During this time, micro-fermentation processes occur, which cause the
cigars to gradually improve as long as they are kept at the proper temperature
and relative humidity.
That is
exactly what a humidor does: it creates an ideal environment in which the
mixture of the various aromas and essential oils of the cigars can retain their
initial characteristics while evolving to offer flavors and aromas that are
even more harmonious and balanced than when they were purchased. Furthermore,
it prevents environmental odors from altering the characteristics of tobacco.
A humidor
is a closed container that maintains a constant temperature and includes a
controllable humidification system to keep cigars in perfect condition. A
hygrometer measures the relative humidity level inside a humidor, and both
analog and digital hygrometers can achieve an exact level of accuracy within
certain ranges.
A humidor
in good condition and with a properly functioning humidification system will
allow you to store cigars for many years, as long as you keep enough space for
proper air circulation, which is critical in preserving the internal
environment.
However,
the subject of humidor aging is the subject of an interesting debate among
connoisseurs. A fundamental premise is that not all cigars improve in flavor
and aroma with age. Only premium cigars, but not all, are perfected with aging,
and the benefits can be very noticeable in some and insignificant in others.
There are
no single opinions on how long it should be left the cigars in the humidor because it depends on the curing process that the leaves used in their
preparation have undergone, but many experts agree that they should be left
there for at least six months to experience the new flavor combinations that
can emerge. An important factor to consider when aging cigars at home is that
there appears to be a consensus that tobacco flavors tend to become
milder over time. There is also no single theory about how a particular brand's
flavor evolves.
We
recommend that, in addition to what can be found in books, magazines, and other
publications, it is clear that no opinion will be more important than the
preferences that each smoker develops through their own experience.
