I like to "age" all of my cigars. My humidor gets "rotated" and usually I buy multiples of smokes I like.

If I like a particular stick, then I'll really like it a year or longer from now (esp. when it comes to ones from ISOM). I've got some sticks that have been sitting in my 'dor for at least 3 years, and I'm a pretty young guy. I hope to keep some sticks to celebrate certain events later on in life. I got a box of Esplendidos for my freshman year at college (4 years ago), and I have about half of it left. I plan to keep at least two sticks to celebrate MY son's graduation from college (I'm not even married yet!). So hopefully, I will be able to follow through with this plan.

As far as the earliest a smoke can be lit up.....it depends. Not only on what overs have already said, but also on your personal taste. To me, cigars and cigar smoking is a very personal thing where people have their own rituals and tastes.

Experimentation and experience will come with the passage of time......