Onlinehumidor.com

[quote author=srduggins link=topic=13013.msg67778#msg67778 date=1330967706]
Just to continue this thread jack - I smoked an Illusione 888 from 2008 last year that was great, not showing any sign of decline, but probably at it's peak.

Smoked a 2008 Tat Unico that was past its prime, smokeable, but not much better than a yard gar (which is where I was smoking it).

I'm trying to smoke up my 2-3 year old NCs as I transition to mostly CCs.
[/quote]
Good to know, and I was wondering if it was just me.... I have been smoking more CCs lately, and I thought I was just outgrowing the flavor profiles of my Nic sticks, but I had a bigger feeling that it was becasue things were not aging well.  So, needless to say, I will be smoking through alot of Tats and Viajes this year... before they go past their prime.  I am thinking the only Nic sticks I have in my collection that are showing any signs of long term aging potential are my Padrons.

I'm really curious as to why NC tobacco wouldn't age well. I've heard of some stellar old Fuente sticks and have personally had some excellent 3-4 year old Cuban Beli's. Do you all believe that this is only limited to Nicaraguan/Honduran tobaccos?

[quote author=badfish link=topic=13013.msg68032#msg68032 date=1331430830]
I'm really curious as to why NC tobacco wouldn't age well. I've heard of some stellar old Fuente sticks and have personally had some excellent 3-4 year old Cuban Beli's. Do you all believe that this is only limited to Nicaraguan/Honduran tobaccos?
[/quote]
I smoked a 3 or so year old Tat Noellas Cuadrado today...a great smoke when it was first released and I have smoked a couple of them over the past 2 years....the one I smoked today was rather flat, and had definitely lost alot of the flavors I remember from before... very disappointing.  I have been disappointed with the aging potention of all my Nic sticks.

I do completely agree with you on the other point as well, and I have smoke some steller Domicnians from Fuente, that were 7+ years old, and they age well... but the Tats seem to have a 3 or less year lifespan...I have heard countless people say that the Franks are past their prime and I think they are 3-4 years old now.

I will be smoking through most of my Nics this year... and will be collecting more CCs from now on.

^^^X2, which is why I sold most of my tats...dunno what's going on, they just don't taste the same with age and with the amount of NC I have I know I won't smoke them all which is why I'm offloading most of mine and keeping a small amount to smoke within a 2 yr time frame.  Regarding OpusX...I do have a LOT of them due to my experience with an aged 8 yr opusX which was outstanding.  However, have recently heard even they're now having problems aging...dunno if that's true or not but will see in due time.

[quote author=tksamtec link=topic=13013.msg68033#msg68033 date=1331432288]
I smoked a 3 or so year old Tat Noellas Cuadrado today...a great smoke when it was first released and I have smoked a couple of them over the past 2 years....the one I smoked today was rather flat, and had definitely lost alot of the flavors I remember from before... very disappointing.  I have been disappointed with the aging potention of all my Nic sticks.

I do completely agree with you on the other point as well, and I have smoke some steller Domicnians from Fuente, that were 7+ years old, and they age well... but the Tats seem to have a 3 or less year lifespan...I have heard countless people say that the Franks are past their prime and I think they are 3-4 years old now.

I will be smoking through most of my Nics this year... and will be collecting more CCs from now on.
[/quote]

I hope you fellas aren't making a big mistake smoking up all these sticks because they're not smoking well right at the moment. that could all change in a few months/years time. I've had some truly outstanding aged nc's from several different countries. tobacco is tobacco and its going to change over time, for the better or for the worst. I'd hang on to them and just sample them every 6 months or so if it were me.

I will agree though in some cases that age can wipe out lots of power and flavours. sometimes though it can really make them shine in a different way. good luck!

I find a lot of nics to age wonderfully. That's why its all subjective. Sure they lose their power as do all cigars, but flavor remains and becomes more prominent. Some of the best cigars I've smoked have been my well aged nic sticks. Dump them, smoke them, sell them, age them, trade them, whatever makes you happy.

What's an NC.....lol