Cigars/Mold or Bloom?
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Question
Dear Mike,
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I received a box of Montecristo Number 4s yesterday, and am not sure if the box of cigars is moldy or full of bloom. The box is dated Feb 2007, and seemed to be in a bad condition. It slightly smelled.
The cigars (image attached) have a layer of what looks like dust on the wrapper. There are occasional white spots on the cigars. Both the "dust" and spots can be brushed of easily. The interior seems to be unaffected.
Could you help me understand if this is bloom or mold?
Thank you for your help.
David
Mold can occur on cigars and you can't tell it from bloom in my experience.
But this is what to do.
Isopropyl Rubbing alcohol kills the mold and cleans the cigars leaving no smell or taste.
Take a soft cloth moisten it with Alcohol, do not soak it.
Gently rub the whole cigar with the cloth and you should see the whole cigar looking wet.
Dab the foot of the cigar being very carefully not to get it too wet or it will swell and break.
Dry for 2 hours or until they look dry and have no alcohol smell.
If you want to put them back in the original box you must do the same to the box, rub the whole interior of the box with alcohol and then let it dry for a few hours - on the box only you can put a fan to facilitate the drying process.
I did this 15 years ago and returned the box to the shelve and several months later the cigars were still perfect. This is my business for 30 years it is my job to test all scenarios, but you should just clean them and smoke them - don't leave them for months.
Mike
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M J Robbins
Expertise
Retailer of cigars and acc. since 1979. Cigars - I've smoked most including Cubans. Humidors- Testing humidors all the time. Selling humidors for 30 years. Pipes - I imported Briar and Meerschaum also repaired them in the 1980's. Lighters- Zippo distributor 30 years, expert in repair of old and new lighters although I haven't repaired an antique lighter in 15 years. Repaired thousands of butane lighters.
Experience
30 years importing and selling retail and wholesale Pipes lighters,cigars and humidors.
Designed and developed the only state of the art refirgerated mobile cigar humidor and the largest mobile cigar store in the USA.
Repaired 50,000 pipes and lighters in the last 30 years.
BR>
Organizations
RTDA
IPCPR
Education/Credentials
2 years Fullerton jr college
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