Once leaves have finished the fermentation process, they get sorted and bundled in a way that stops the fermentation. then they can be aged any number of years.. some get aged in old liquor barrels, or "en tercio" wrapped in palm leaves.

There is also extensive aging of rolled cigars with most makers.

I have a DVD from CAO that covers from seed to cigar, it's very interesting, their cigars are stored in an aging room for a minimum of 6 months after rolling, much longer depending on brand.

I would be VERY upset if I bought a $12.00 cigar to find it was only a $3.00 stick that they held on to for a couple years.