Cigars/Hard Cigars
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Question
How can I get my cigars soft again? I have a plexi-glass humidor and some of my cigars are still hard. Is there a fix for this?
Hi Edgar,
The only fix for this is to let your cigars sit in your humidor - at 70% humidity - for as long as possible and they should soften up immediately. Be sure to rotate your cigars periodically. If you prefer, you can all remove the cigars from the cellophane wrappers and cigar tubes and this will help with the humidification process.
Also, cigars that are tightly-rolled or over-filled with tobacco will always remain hard and the only fix for this is to locate the knot in the cigar during smoking and pinch it firmly and repeatedly. This will soften up the cigar and improve the draw and burn. Some cigar stores will also carry a cigar tool known as a marlin spike, cigar auger, cigar spike, cigar needle, etc. that you can insert into the head of the cigar and this will loosen/burrow the tight filler tobacco and make the draw/burn much easier.
Hopes this answers your question. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.
Regards,
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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