You are here:

Cigars/Little white dots in ash

Advertisement

Expert: - 6/2/2009


Question
Hi James, my humidor temp is around 70% but the humidity is around 76% and can't lower it. The last two cubans I've tried from it were a little stale and in the ash I could see a lot of very tiny white dots all around. The binder is perfects and I haven't seen any mold in my cigars or box, but I don't know if this is usual or something is wrong with hem. What do you think?

Even with the high temp, most of them feel a little crunchy. They are all from LCDH. I rotate them every couple of weeks, and I use two hygrometes (one digital)that have been salt-proof tested. What do you think?

Thanks a lot for your time

Answer
Hi Daniel,

Don't worry, the white dots on the ash is actually very normal and can be found on both Cuban and non-Cuban cigars.  Are you using propylene glycol or a 50/50 solution in your humidification device?  76% humidity is too high so you should try to lower the humidity by adding a few drops of propylene glycol to your humidification device.  If you're not using a 50/50 solution, try using the 50/50 mixture first and see if the humidity level balances out at 70%.  If the humidity is still high after adding the 50/50 mixture, a few small drops of propylene glycol should correct it.  If the humidity level is too low after adding a 50/50 mixture, add more distilled water to dilute it.

If your cigars are from LCDH, they are genuine so don't worry.  Your humidor temperature is fine and all you need to do is lower your humidity level a little bit.  (Try to acheive 70%-74% which is safer for your cigars.  76% is too risky for your cigars.)

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

Regards,
James

Cigars

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.