Expert: James Yee - 10/23/2008

Question
Hi,

So I can back form Cuba and bought 4 boxes of cigars. Cohiba Robustos, 2 boxes of San Cristobal La Feuneza, and a box of Punch Punch (on your recommendation).

The one problem I have is it looks like the Punch Punch cigars had some mold on them right from the box, although it could be plume. It's white and very faint like plume but its in spots like mold. When I wipe it off it comes off no problem with no stain. The box is from 08

Your thoughts?

Answer
Hi Mike,

The white mold-like substance on your cigars is not a true cigar mold but instead, is a form of mineral trace that forms when 100% distilled water is NOT used to humidify the cigars.  What happens is that as the water in your humidor (or store humidor) evaporates, the mineral content in the water cannot dissolve so it circulates in the humidor and begins to accumulate in collective spots.  It has been known to appear as small white spots on a cigar, or as a white chalky film on the cigars and/or humidification device(s).  It commonly appears when tap water, boiled tap water or bottled water is used in a humidor instead of 100% distilled water.  (It's very common in bottled drinking water because the water contains elements of Sodium and Calcium.)

What makes this substance benign is that genuine cigar mold is a bacterial/fungal growth that will grow, expand remarkably fast and leave a stain your cigars but this form of mold will accumulate slowly and is more like dust.  (It can easily be mistaken for plume because it can be dust-like in appearance and may evenly coat your cigars just like plume.)  Mineral trace is also loose and powdery instead of being thick and fuzzy like cigar mold.

Simply brush or wipe this substance away with a damp paper towel (with distilled water) and your cigars will be fine.  This substance should stop appearing after you relocate your cigars to your humidor where you are using 100% distilled water.

Hopes this answers your question. As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James