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Cigars/Safe to smoke cigar gone bad?

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Expert: - 8/29/2011


Question
I started smoking a cigar but I had to stop almost right after I started. I put it back in the wrapper I bought it in and left it in my room. My question is if it is safe to smoke it again because it has definitely gone bad.

Answer
Hi Jake,

Yes, it's perfectly safe to smoke a cigar that you previously smoked and let go out.  Though the cigar may have a harsher aroma and flavour now, it is safe to smoke.  As a general rule, if you smoke a cigar and want to put it out to smoke later, let the cigar naturally burn out (don't stamp it out), thoroughly tap all the loose ash off the cigar and then cleanly cut the burnt foot off with a cigar cutter.  Much of the bitter flavour/aroma comes from the charred foot so cutting the foot before storing the cigar will make it smell less pungent.  Your previously smoked cigar should then be stored in its cigar tube, plastic wrapper, ziploc bag and/or tupperware container.  Never return it to your humidor or store it with other un-smoked cigars as the aroma will ruin your other cigars.

I hope this helps!  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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