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Cigars/moist pad

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Expert: - 6/6/2011


Question
Hi James,

Thanks for the excellent answer you gave on my last question.  So good I have another question in which I am too embarrassed to ask the store clerk.  When I purchase a cigar, they usually wet a small pad (I think its distilled water), enclose it in a small plaster bag and include it with the cigar.  What's it for and/or why do they do that?  I don't think I am the only novice that is wondering this. At least, I hope not?

Thanks in advance, Gary Drebit

Answer
Hi Gary,

This moist pad will humidify your cigars and keep them humidified until you arrive home and are ready to place your cigars in your humidor.  This pad usually contains a cellulose polymer material (similar to humidity beads and crystals) that greatly expands when it absorbs water.  This will prevent your cigars from drying out when you're out all day long and can't place your cigars in your humidor just yet.

These pads (also called water/humidity pillows) are reusuable and excellent for travelling or humidifying small/travel humidors.  Simply soak them in distilled water for 10-15 minutes and they're ready to use.

I hope this helps!  As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just as 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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