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Cigars/Beetles

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Expert: - 9/23/2008


Question
Hi James,

Just a quick one here.

Tobacco beetles. If one of my cigars in my box are infected (meaning the eggs have hatched and the bastards are eating away), will the rest be infected as well
Thanks James!!

Answer
Hi Tommy,

If beetles from one cigar in a box appear, it's possible that there are other beetles in the other cigars and your other cigars are also at risk.  The only time beetles do damage to cigars is when they hatch and then chew their way out of the cigar.  Once the beetle has freed itself from the cigar, it will not feed on other cigars in your humidor.

Of course, not every cigar is guaranteed to have beetle eggs so even if one cigar in your humidor develops beetles, the other cigars may be clean.  However, it's always best to freeze ALL your cigars if beetles appear.

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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