Expert: Bill Finck Jr. - 1/28/2008

Question
Hi Bill!

Recently, I was smoking a cigar and the cigar wrapper cracked and began to unravel.  I had this problem throughout smoking this cigar.  The cigar was a Rocky Patel Fusion, so I realize that quality was not the issue.  I had cut the cigar correctly ensuring that I did not cut to much of the cap.  I keep my humidor at between 70%-72% relative humidity.  The cigar was in my humidor for about 2 weeks prior to smoking it.  My question is what would cause a cigar wrapper to crack and unravel like this?  Was there too much moisture in the cigar?  

Thanks in advance,
Jerry


Answer
Jerry,
Its hard to say without seeing the cigar, but typically when a cigar cracks it is because the cigar is too dry. I know you had it in your humidor at proper humidity level, but did the cigar feel dry? Assuming that it was actually properly humidified, I'd say the problem was likely caused by the tobacco used in it. If I am correct, Fusion is made with an Ecuador shade-grown binder and Habano wrapper. Ecuador shade is a very thin leaf intended to be used as wrapper, not binder. By using it in combination with a heavier, slower burning Habano wrapper Rocky Patel is taking some chances. The thin binder can easily crack from the stress of the wooden molds they are pressed in and the coarse filler leaves can possibly puncture the fragile binder. Also, the thin shade grown tobacco can burn faster than the Habano wrapper. If anything happens to make the binder break, split or burn faster than the wrapper, you will see cracks in the wrapper.
If you have any questions or my point isn't clear please let me know.
Thanks,
Bill