I have smoked many cigars but not so many with true age on them. How does the ageing affect the burn, the flavors etc?

Left to age properly many cigars will continue to ferment releasing ammonia. They may lose some harshness and many will really mellow with age making them exceptional smokes.

If you read Connesoirs Corner in CA, they rate cigars that have been allowed to age and some are supurb.

I have a few 9-10 year old cigars in my cabinet, but I would have to say I lack the willpower to let cigars just sit around sleeping while I have to go to work.

It's bad enough that my cat does that.