Expert: James Yee - 1/21/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi James, I have acquired a box of Habana cigars that are very dry.  Firstly, where do Habana cigars rate in terms of quality? Secondly, can cigars be soaked in a liquid such as wine to give them a different flavour and then dried out? I have read the other articles in relation to rejuvenating dried out cigars therefore do not require much detail of this, but just one question to clear up, can the humi-pouches you talk of be used on its own to rejuvenate dry cigars?  Regards, Chris.

ANSWER: Hi Chris,

Certain Cuban (Habana) cigars are some of the best cigars in the world (in terms of both quality and flavour) so I would not recommend soaking them in wine or any other type of liqueur to alter their flavour.  (I would not recommend soaking ANY premium cigar in a liquid to enhance their flavours or rejuvenate them.)  It's best to maintain a cigar's original flavour by only using distilled water vapor to rehydrate them.  Storing a dry cigar in a properly maintained humidor (at 70% humidity) for at least 1-2 months should thoroughly rehydrate them and return them to the ideal smokeable condition.

In regards to humi-pouches, a single humi-pouch can indeed rejuvenate dry cigars.  Humi-pouches are effective for 3 months and are perfect if you do not own a humidor or have much space in your humidor to rejuvenate dry cigars.  The humi-pouch is a great product because it's intended for short-term cigar storage and travel and is 100% reusable for 3 months so you can add and remove cigars as often as you like.  They're inexpensive and the perfect "disposable humidor".

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 for that James, I thought 'Habana' was the particular type or brand name of the Cuban cigars I have.  Where on the box will it tell me what type of Cuban cigars I have? On the front it has De H.UPMANN and below that HABANA.  Also on the box it has the words 'Fabrica De Tabacos'.  Wrapped around the opening is a green coloured 'note' that appears to be a warranty from the Cuban Government.  On this note it has the words, 'torcidos y picadura'.  Lastly, printed in ink on the bottom of the box is the words, Hecho En Cuba, CUBATABACO and OAUL.  Hoping you can tell me a little bit more about the particular type of Cuban cigars that I have?  After all that I think I just found it on the edge of the box, 25-PETIT PALATINOS.  Can you tell me a bit more about these cigars?  There doesn't appear to be any dates on the box to tell me when they were made etc.  Regards, Chris  

Answer
Hi Chris,

The Cuban brand name of your cigars is "H. Upmann" and it is one of the seven major "global brands" that is found all over the world.  H. Upmann is one of the oldest Cuban brands (Established in 1844) and is most famous for two things: 1/ Their flagship cigar - the "Sir Winston" - is a Churchill-sized cigar named after Winston Churchill and 2/ H. Upmann was John F. Kennedy's favourite Cuban cigar brand and before he signed the Cuban Trade Embargo in 1962, JFK asked his aide Pierre Salinger to procure as many H. Upmann "Petit Coronas" (his favourite cigar) as possible.  Salinger managed to buy 1,200 of these cigars (48 boxes worth) from local cigar shops in the Washington DC area and delivered them just one day before JFK finalized the trade embargo.

OK, on to your box of cigars... (I'm very excited about this part) :)

The specific cigars that you have are indeed "Petit Palantinos".  The Petit Palantinos size was created before 1960 (no one knows the exact year they were created) and discontinued in the mid-to-late 1980s.  It is a handmade cigar and your cigars were produced at the H. Upmann factory in Havana Cuba in JUNE 1985; as indicated by the "OAUL" boxcode stamp.  (OA = June, UL = 85)  The cigar is a "Short Panetela" which measures 4 1/2 inches long by 36 ring gauge.  It is the same sized cigar that JFK loved.  (The H. Upmann "Petit Corona" is also a short panetela that was the exact same size as the Petit Palantinos.  The Petit Corona was discontinued in 2002.)

Vintage cigars from the 1980's are becoming very hard to find now so you have a fantastic find.  Congrats!  You should definitely move them to a properly maintained humidor or humi-pouch and take good care of them.  

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

Regards,
James