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Cigars/Juan Lopez

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Expert: - 6/29/2008


Question
Hi James,

I just bought  Juan Lopez exclusivo Francia sent to Vasco Montreal by
mistake. It's a pyramides shaped cigar and I can't find it anywhere on the
web. Should I let it sit in my humidor for a few years? It's hard to resist...

Thanks,

Frank

Answer
Hi Frank,

Cigars generally do become better with age (especially cigars with dark, oily wrappers) so it's best that you should let your cigars sit in your humidor for some time before you smoke them.   I know its hard to resist a good cigar sometimes so you can smoke some now but should put some aside for aging.  How long you let them age, is entirely up to you.  People who age cigars usually age them for at least 1 year.  This will begin to create a richer cigar flavour as well as develop a healthy coat of plume (a good sign of a well-aged cigar).  The flavours in aged cigars will become more defined the longer you age them but an aged cigar's flavour will usually peak around 10 years.

Hopes this answers your question. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I'll be happy to help.

Regards,
James

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James Yee

Expertise

My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".

Experience

I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.

Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)


Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto

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