nurture alters nature

We, as humans, are quite an eclectic combination of timing, genetic code, selectively transcribed proteins, and related chemicals which are influenced and respond to our environment and nurturing, not to mention our nutrition and learning/habituating responses. Soul (mind and self consciousness, etc), and spirituality (the spirit- if alive) are imposed on the framework and is influenced by the framework. In the face of that hodgepodge we are bound by Newton's Laws, and the clock of life seems to be our enemy. Gray hair, hearing and vision loss are only glimpses of the deeper degenerative processes that are distressing our insides daily.

In contrast - there is nothing quite as tasty as a well-aged plume-covered stogie. The flavors blend and meld into a flavorful stogie. Everything ages, it is nice when the age adds taste and character, rather than degenerative loss. Cigars, as well as some wines and liquors do well with aging. Spanish Cedar seems to add flavor to the cigars as well as preserve them. The best cigars age in the preferred setting of 70% humidity and 7o degrees F. The location and melding with other cigars and other odors will also occur. Location of origin of the cigar and construction quality are important as are the strength of the binder and wrapper- and the type of box storage. Do we need Cuban Seed Tobacco? is it really better? or is that just a marketing technique? Do we need shade grown? Sun grown? One can easily see the variation that can contribute to the cigars complexity, then one adds the aging factors. Good care can affect the long term quality of one's cigar stash, much like nurture can affect nature.

Honey-bee aggression study suggests nurture alters nature august 17,2009 From Professor Gene Robinson University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

My attempts at aging cigars had been unsuccessful until I was able to find appropriate space, and to lose a box of cigars into that humid environment, to sit and age unabetted. The best are the ones that are found after forgotten. Like an old familiar novel, or the smell of rain on a wet concrete sidewalk.

The cigar found in the back of my humidor was the Drew Estate Juicy Lucy, it was small (small panatela or petite corona) and only 3x38 in size - with a pigtail head. The cigar was at least 5 years old, and covered with plume. The wrapper, a Cameroon, was in fine shape, and the taste was exquisite. It was a sweet tabacco mild leathery vanilla caramel. The draw was good. It was good when purchased, but really excelled with age. Hence, another highly recommended cigar...