Expert: James Yee - 2/21/2010

Question
QUESTION: I just returned from Varadero Cuba.  I legally bought a box of 25 Monte Cristo Cigars from the sovenier shop at Hotel Oasis Turquesa.   The box was sealed and serial numbered. The cigars were a git for a friend.  When the friend broke the seal and opened two of the tubes the cigars inside were green with mold.  Is there anyway of having the box of cigars returned for replacement, to Cuba or in Canada.  I paid $245 pesos for the box and the friend is concerned about the quality of the rest of the cigars and their longivity.

ANSWER: Hi Sheryl,

Unfortunately, there is no way of getting replacement cigars in Canada.  If the retailer in Varadero offers refund or replacement and you still have their store receipt, you may be able to return them in person.  However, because premium cigars are perishable and can be counterfeited, many retailers do not offer refunds or replacements once you leave the store.  (This is why it's always best to inspect the cigars before you buy.)  You should still check the store receipt (or contact the retailer via phone/email) and see if they have a return/exchange policy.

In regards to the cigar mold, you should still check the other Montecristo cigars to see if they have mold.  Because the cigars are in sealed tubes, it's possible that the other cigars are safe and do not have mold.  

Moldy cigars can also be salvaged (to a certain extent) so if the mold has not spread to the cigar foot, your friend can try to save them if he wants.   For detailed instructions on how to save a moldy cigar, please search "cigar mold" on Allexperts.com for previous discussions.  (Or feel free to just contact me and I will gladly post instructions for you.)

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

Regards,
James

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

QUESTION: I have also read there is something other than a mold that may appear on the cigars. Some type of water stain I think.  I would like to see pictures to see if it is the same.  The outside of the cigars we opened were pale brown and had what looked like mold but did not brush away when touched.  Large spots.  Other cigars were dark brown on the outside, with no spots.  Any pictures anywhere?  You have been most helpful.  Cheers,

Answer
Hi Sheryl,

Cigar mold is like mold that you would find on spoiled food; it's fuzzy in texture and grows quickly in random patches.  Cigar mold can white, grey, blue, green, orange or brown in colour... or even a combination of these colours.  If wiped away, it will leave a discolourated stain on the cigar which cannot be removed.  The green spots on your friends' cigars do not sound like mold since they cannot be wiped away.  It's possible that the cigars may have previously had cigar mold that was removed and resulted in the discolouration that you see.

Another type of green stain can occur from liquid contact when the tobacco is still sun grown in the tobacco fields.  When liquid droplets (other than water) comes in contact with the tobacco leaves and stains it, it prevents the spot of tobacco underneath the liquid to naturally change colour as the leaf grows and ages.  As a result, the spot underneath the liquid remains green with chlorophyll while the rest of the tobacco leaf becomes darker in colour.  This is a somewhat common occurrence but fortunately, it does not affect the taste or aging of your cigars.  These green stains are generally perfectly circular spots whereas cigar mold will appear in randomly shaped patches.

I don't have any photographs on hand so hopefully my description will help.  You may also be able to find photographs of cigar mold and other cigar anomalies by searching through google.

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

Regards,
James