How Does Aging A Cigar Affect The Taste?

Most of the time, aging a cigar affects the taste. We use the term “most of the time” because a bad cigar will always be bad, no matter how long it’s aged. That said, how an aged cigar tastes depends greatly on the blend and how well it’s stored.

In this article, we answer all your burning questions about how aged cigars taste, how long to age them, and whether they’re better than fresh cigars.

Do Cigars Taste Better Aged?

Cigars, like wine or whiskey, tend to get better with age. Properly aged cigars become smoother, richer, and more nuanced in flavor. While aging is optional for liquor, it’s nearly essential for cigars if you want to unlock their full potential.

Aging plays a critical role in the cigar industry. It affects flavor, aroma, construction, and ultimately, price. You can age cigars yourself at home using a humidor. Just make sure to avoid common cigar storage mistakes.

Can You Age Cigars Too Long?

While cigars don’t technically “expire,” you can over-age them to the point where they lose character. Most blends peak between 5 to 10 years of aging, though some connoisseurs have enjoyed cigars aged for decades.

Premium cigar makers often age fermented tobacco in bales for a few years before rolling. Some also age the finished cigars (post-roll) for an additional 1–12 months to allow the binder, filler, and wrapper to marry, creating smoother, more harmonious flavor.

Once purchased, cigar lovers can continue the aging process through box aging in a humidor. This allows flavors to evolve and mature further.

What Does an Aged Cigar Taste Like?

An aged cigar is typically: - Smoother with less harshness - More complex, with better flavor transitions - More aromatic, especially when aged in cedar-lined humidors

Fresh cigars can contain ammonia and harsh compounds. Aging allows these impurities to dissipate, resulting in mellow, refined smoke.

Want a deep dive into how cigars taste by country? Check that out next.

How Long Should You Age a Cigar Before Smoking It?

It depends on the blend. Stronger cigars often benefit more from aging, while some milder blends may peak faster. Generally: - 60 days: Minimum to let fresh cigars settle - 6–12 months: Ideal for many mid-range blends - 5–10 years: Optimal for full-bodied cigars with aging potential

Always keep cigars in a well-maintained humidor with consistent humidity and temperature for best results.

Do Aged Cigars Have Less Nicotine?

No. While aged cigars retain their original nicotine content, they often feel smoother due to: - Reduction of ammonia - Evaporation of oils and resins - Better tobacco fermentation

So while the strength may feel toned down, it’s the flavor and delivery that have improved, not the chemical makeup.

Are Cigars Better Fresh or Aged?

Most aficionados agree: Aged cigars are better.

Fresh cigars, especially those less than 60 days old, may taste sharp, harsh, or overly grassy due to lingering ammonia. That’s why even factory-aged cigars are often rested further before smoking.

Manufacturers typically highlight aging on packaging (e.g., “Aged 5 Years”) because it signals premium quality.

Want to stock cigars with high aging potential? Browse our premium cigar collection and age them to perfection in your humidor.

In Summary: Aging cigars enhances their flavor complexity, mellows harshness, and brings the tobacco components into harmony. Not every cigar improves equally, but with the right storage and blend, aged cigars can be a luxurious upgrade to your smoking experience.