Expert: M J Robbins - 12/23/2010

Question
QUESTION: HI i have bought i box of Cohiba Esplendidos Julieta 1 Churchill Style.great cigar iv enjoyed a few all ready i want to save the rest to age some more , i have them in a humidor and have the humidity ay 70 and temp to around the same . now my question is that i have noticed what i think is plume/bloom but im not 100% shure iv takin some pics at the link please let me know what im dealing with ? thanks :) http://s1182.photobucket.com/albums/x450…
ps. i was planing on saving them for at lest two more years and will the get better wit age or is it better to smoke them now with some plume on them ?

ANSWER: The link to the pic is not complete

Bloom or mold that is the question?
It would take a lab to be sure.
Just wipe it off with a cloth and isopropyl rubbing alcohol, dab the foot of the cigar (the end you light) also.
Leave out to dry for 2 or 3 hours and replace in the humidor. Monitor them and if it recurs then wipe again, dry and smoke them soon.
I wiped down some severely infected cigars and several months later they were still clean and a good smoke.

Enjoy
Mike

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

QUESTION: hey mike sorry about the link and as far the pics go i know you wont know for sure but ill send you them though here just your opion , thanks

Answer
Good for you because the infection seems small.
Follow my directions and wipe down the cigars that are adjacent also.
Watch them and care for them appropriately.
Try Vegas Robaina Unicos
Sancho Panza Belicos
Ramon Allones Specially Selected

They are better than the Cohiba

Mike