Just like many fine wines can improve with the proper aging process, so too can high-quality cigars. This is not to say that all cigars will reveal an enhanced taste or flavor after a year inside a humidor, but there are many fine cigars that will mellow beautifully when put in the proper environment. This environment is known as the humidor, and is one of the most important cigar accessories available.

The first thing to understand is that you should aim at aging a full box of cigars and you may want to consider using a single humidor per variety. This is because all cigars are made differently and may require varied conditions to age in the best ways possible. Consider that most experts would point to the larger ring gauge cigars as ideal subjects for the aging process because they rely on a blend of tobaccos that will blend nicely and mellow with age in the controlled climate of the cigar box.

What levels should be maintained for the best end results? Most experts recommend that the cigar owner sample a few from any given box before setting them up for long-term storage. This is to determine if the flavors actually require a bit of mellowing. It is important to remember that if the flavors are truly dissatisfying when a cigar is fresh, it is unlikely that the overall flavor can benefit from the process.

Is there any special material that the boxes should be made from in order to get the finest results possible? Most would point to the unlined, cedar boxes. This is because the wood is already very aromatic and will allow the cellophane wrappers around the cigars to provide just enough opportunity for the fragrant oils and aromas of both items to come together. This is the essence of subtlety and is the exact type of results that the aging process should be aimed at producing.

Are there any varieties that should not be aged? Any cigar that has an overwhelming aroma might greatly benefit from an aging and mellowing process, but the Maduros types with their cured wrappers tend to be impervious to all efforts at aging and mellowing. It is always advisable to sample one or two fresh cigars from any box to determine whether an aging process might be of some benefit.

Dave Sabot is the owner of an online specialty cigar lighters store. With expert knowledge of cigar accessories, including torch lighters, Dave also owns a premier online humidors store.