Cigars/Cigar mold or plume?
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Question
I noticed a previous discussion about cigar mold vs. plume that you explained quite well. You said that mold is usually green or bluish and what powder is plume.
Okay, that's great. But, when examining the substance on a box of cigars I just bought, it looks more like small hair with spores on them. I've provided links to a few close-up photos. If you have a chance, could you tell me what you think?
Here are the links:
http://philchordas.com/PlumeOrMold1.jpg
http://philchordas.com/PlumeOrMold2.jpg
http://philchordas.com/PlumeOrMold3.jpg
Thanks in advance for your time and opinion.
Phil Chordas
Hi Phil,
Typical cigar mold is usually blue, green or bluish-green but can also be white or gray in colour. The substance shown in all three photos definitely appears to be mold as shown by the long tube-like bodies and mushroom cap heads. Mold is also thick, fuzzy and stringy unlike plume which is more dust-like in appearance.
When trying to determine if a substance is mold or plume, just remember that plume looks like thin coat of grayish dust and appears evenly over a cigar whereas mold is thick and fuzzy and appears in random patches. Cigar mold will also look a lot like the mold you would find on spoiled food.
Hopes this answers your question. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask.
Regards,
James
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Holy smokes (pun intended, since this was a cigar question.) I never expected an answer so quickly and decisive. James took the time to look over 3 photographs to which I provided links on my web site and identified the problem I suspected I had. Excellent service you folks have here. Thanks, James. | ||
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James Yee
Expertise
My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".
Experience
I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.
Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)
Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto
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