Expert: James Yee - 4/10/2009

Question
QUESTION: I had a Hoyo de Monterrey wrapper start to fall apart recently.  The cigar has been maintained in my humidor at 70* for quite a while.  My question is how often should I expect this to happen?

ANSWER: Hi Kyle,

Did the cigar split while you were smoking it or did it split while still in your humidor?

Cigars splitting while in the humidor is not very common but it can happen.  This usually happens when a cigar is rolled too tightly or if the wrapper leaf has sustained some sort of damage while in your humidor.  A small tear or fracture in the wrapper leaf can actually amplify over time and fully split the wrapper leaf.  Tightly-rolled cigars that were dried out and quickly rehumidified can also split due to the filler tobacco rapidly expanding from sudden exposure to humidity and cracking the wrapper leaf.

If the cigar split while you were smoking it, the cigar may have been rolled too tightly and the cause of the split was the heat expanding the filler tobacco in your cigar to the point where it cracks the wrapper leaf.

If you catch a wrapper split early, patching it with vegetable glue, pectin or "Cigar Dr." (liquid adhesive available at most cigar stores) will repair the tear and make your cigar as good as new again.

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

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The damage occurred while smoking.  Would it be wise to make a preemptive strike by moistening the wrapper with good old saliva?  Thanks James,  your great!

Answer
Hi Kyle,

Moistening a cigar with saliva or water can work (according to some people) but I have never seen a major improvement to a cigar with this method.  Moistening the wrapper leaf can make it more pliable but if a cigar is rolled too tightly, it will most likely split anyways.

If you do moisten the wrapper, try to use water instead of your saliva.  It's bad etiquette to use saliva plus the saliva can actually alter the aroma and taste of your cigar when smoking.

For cigars that have already cracked and split, simply use some Cigar Doctor to patch up the tear.  Cigar Dr. can dry very quickly and you can even use it on damaged cigars that you are smoking at that moment.

Hopes this answers your question.  As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James