Expert: James Yee - 5/31/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi James,

I recently bought some Cuban Hoyo's (Epicure Esp. LE 2004). A very expensive box indeed, but from a well known retailer.

I notice so far on two occasions, that the draw is very tight to the point that no smoke comes out until I draw a couple of times. It feels blocked somewhere.

My humidor is pretty much stable at 70% RH, and I let these cigars sit for a month before I smoked them.

They are really beautifully constructed cigars with a great wrapper, but the fill is just to tight I feel. Is there a way to fix this? Could it be a humidification issue? Or should I let them age a little more? I also noticed that sometimes the burn is a little uneven, but other times it's perfect. Is it normal for a box to have this kind of inconsistency?

Thanks,
Shak

ANSWER: Hi Shak,

Because premium cigars are entirely handrolled, it's not uncommon to have some of your cigars rolled too tightly and have a tight draw.  The cause of this is the filler tobacco being bunched too tightly in some areas inside your cigar.  This will cause a knot or plug that prevents a proper airflow/draw.  

When you smoke a cigar and feel that the cigar has a tight draw, delicately use your thumb and index finger and squeeze the entire body of the cigar.  Try to feel for a hard spot.  If you do feel a hard spot on your cigar, delicate squeeze it with your thumb and finger repeatedly as you continue to smoke the cigar.  (Don't squeeze too hard or you will damage your cigar.)  Continuing to smoke the cigar while occasionally squeezing it will soften the filler tobacco from the heat and make the filler tobacco more pliable and loose.  This is usually enough to smooth out the tobacco obstruction and improve the draw.

If that doesn't work, what you can also do is purchase a cigar tool called a "cigar spike".  This tool is a thin and smooth metal spike/needle that you would insert into the cigar from the cigar head.  As you insert the spike into the cigar, it will create an opening through the filler tobacco and improve the draw.  (Be sure to insert the spike into the cigar straight and centered.  Inserting it crookedly can damage the cigar and cause an uneven burn.)  

The tool is commonly called a cigar spike but there are also other names for it.  It is also known as a "cigar auger", "cigar awl" and "marlin spike".  These can be found at most cigar & pipe smoking stores but it's also possible to use any type of long, metal skewer on a plugged cigar.

Your humidor sounds fine so I do not think it is a humidification problem.  It's possible for dry cigars to have a tight draw so try letting your cigars sit in your humidor for a longer amount of time.  Be sure to also rotate your cigars periodically while in your humidor so that all your cigars are evenly humidified.

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: Thanks James, brilliantly answered!

Just one last thing. Dry cigars - I have notice that inspite the 70%RH in my humidor, I always sense the cigars are a little dry. When I lightly squeeze them, I sometimes hear a cracking noise but no damage. Can you pls recommend some pointers on how to tell if a cigar is dry? How long it takes for a cigar to take up moisture and become acceptable to smoke after buying a box? I find a lot of vendors sell cigars which are over-packaged and this could be a reason why they feel dry?

Thanks again,
S

Answer
Hi Shak,

Dry cigars are usually very hard and brittle.  When you smoke a dry cigar, it can also taste stale or bland.  As you also mentioned, if you delicately squeeze a dry cigar, it can make a brittle "cracking" noise.  Extremely dry cigars can look slightly shriveled in appearance and can also crack and split along the wrapper leaf due to their fragile condition.  

When adding new cigars to your humidor, it's best to let your new cigars sit in your humidor for at least 1 month at 70% humidity before you smoke them.  Extremely dried out and brittle cigars should sit in your humidor for at least 3-4 months before you smoke them.  This will allow the cigar ample time to re-absorb the necessary humidity it needs to be firm again.

If your humidor is at 70% humidity and your cigars still crack from being delicately squeezed, they may still be a bit dry.  Use a salt test to check your hygrometer to make sure that it's still accurate.  (If you need salt test or humidor seasoning instructions, please feel free to just ask me and I will be happy to repost them for you.)  If your hygrometer is accurate, you may want to let your cigars sit in your humidor for a longer amount of time before smoking them. (Let them sit for at least 2-3 months.)

It's very possible that vendors' cigars are dry because they are over-packaged but the cigar vendors should also have their humidors set to at least 70% humidity.  Some vendors however, prefer to keep their store humidity level lower than 70% which could explain why the cigars feel dry.  Regardless, it's always best to humidify your cigars for at least a month in your own humidor when you buy them.

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

Regards,
James