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Cigars/Soft Cigars

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Expert: - 10/14/2010


Question
Hi James,

Recently, I have been purchasing cigars in bulk to last me through the weekend. I have noticed that the cigars from this particular retailer are very soft, almost over humidified. I have also noticed that the flavor is compromised I assume due to this. Very vegetal taste towards the last 3rd.
My question is how can I get these cigars that I bought a little harder, less soft.
My personal humidor is always between 67%-70% - 65-70f.

I smoked a Monte Eagle last weekend and could not stand it a little after halfway. What a waste of a good cigar....

Answer
Hi Thomas,

Over-humidified cigars can indeed have a bland or vegetal taste.  What you can do is let your cigars sit in a Ziploc bag or cigar box  for 48-72 hours and this will remove much of the excess moisture from the cigars.  After 2-3 days, your cigars should be more firm and slightly dry so you can now relocate return to your humidor.  Once in your humidor, it's ideal to let the cigars sit for at least a week before you smoke them.  Your cigars will need this time to re-adjust to your humidor's humidity level and stabilize themselves again.  Your personal humidor conditions are excellent so the cigars will recover quickly.

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

Regards,
James

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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

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