Expert: James Yee - 10/15/2009

Question
i have recently acquired a taste for the finer cigar, one favorite is the Cohiba robusto. a little pricey but the pleasure is a reward. my question is how long should you  have to wait before getting a smooth draw removing from humidor. some are almost impossible to pull through

??? thanks
Jim

Answer
Hi Jim,

With premium handrolled cigars (this includes both Cuban and Non-Cuban cigars), the draw is mainly based on how the cigar roller bunched and rolled the filler tobacco in the cigar.  Cigars with tight/no draws is caused by a blockage or knot in the filler tobacco (based on the folds of the tobacco) and this cannot be corrected by leaving your cigars in the humidor for a certain period of time.  Humidifying a cigar will prevent the cigar from tasting "stale" and burning irregularly but it will not improve a tight draw.  Whether or not a cigar's draw is smooth or tight is completely random and left to chance.  

If you do encounter cigars with a plugged or tight draw, gently massage the cigar as you smoke and the heat will soften the filler tobacco and the draw will improve.  Pinch the cigar with your index and thumb finger as your rotate the cigar and try to feel for a hard spot in the cigar body.  When you've located this knot, continue to squeeze that spot as you smoke the cigar and the tobacco will soften.  If this method does not work, take a cigar spike or auger (available at most cigar stores) and insert it into the length of the cigar and this will improve the draw.

Hopes this helps.  If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be ahppy to help.

Regards,
James