Expert: James Yee - 4/19/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hello again James,

I have finished seasoning my 100ct humidor and have loaded it with some nice Cuban cigars I got as gifts, but I have some older ones as well that are a bit dry and I'm worried that they may affect the overall humidity in the humidor for a while (it's about an equal ammount of dry cigars to fresh ones [25-30 in total]). Also I have different brands of cigars in the humidor and I'm worried that they might affect each other's taste over time. Some of them are cheaper brands for day-to-day smoking. Will a simple piece of spanish cedar dividing these cigars be enough to minimize the effect?

Thanks again!
ANSWER: Hi Richard,

It’s quite possible that your dry cigars may absorb much of your humidor’s humidity at first but don’t worry, your other cigars are in no danger at all and all your cigars need is a little extra time in your humidor to stabilize before you smoke them.  Simply let your cigars sit in your humidor for at least 2 months and refill your humidification device when necessary and ALL your cigars will be fine.  

Normally, the marrying of flavours and aromas between premium cigars stored together in the same humidor is not that severe so as long as you don’t have any flavoured cigars in your humidor (which can indeed ruin the natural aroma and flavour of your premium cigars), your cigars will be fine.  If you wish to keep all your cigars separate just to be safe, a Spanish cedar sheet separating your cigars will work perfectly.  You can use the cedar sheets that are included in the boxes of your cigars or visit your local tobacconist for cedar sheets.  Most reputable cigar shops will gladly give you the cedar sheets for free since they’re leftover from all their open boxes of cigars that they display.  

Regards,
James


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

QUESTION: Thank you for your answer firstly, it was very helpful.

Secondly, I'd like to ask a follow up. I noticed some of my premium cigars are turning slightly green. They are tiny spots that I am not able to rub off with a dampened cloth (after reading your previous posts) and they seem to be dry and not overly like mold...is it possible that this greening of leaves is possible under any other circumstances?

Thanks again for your continued support!

P.S. I can't wait until your book comes out! I'd love to order a copy as soon as it's available.

Answer
Hi again Richard,

The green spots is actually the result of the tobacco leaves being stained by water during the fermentation process.  When the tobacco leaves are first picked from the tobacco fields, they're air cured and then fermented before being sent to the "despalillo" (stripping house) where they are prepped for cigar production.  Some time between the curing and fermentation process, it's very possible for the leaves to accidentally come in contact with water and as it is being fermented, discoloration will begin to form.  Any water that comes in contact with a tobacco leaf during fermentation will cause the water-covered parts of the leaf to ferment slower while the rest of the leaf ferments faster and changes from green to brown/tan colour (as expected).  As a result, the rest of the tobacco leaf will have changed into a more proper cigar colour while the parts of the tobacco in contact with water will have remained green; the original and natural colour of the tobacco leaf.  These green spots are usually caused by moisture droplets that fall onto the leaves during fermentation.  They can not be removed but fortunately, is harmless, not mold and doesn't affect the taste of the cigar whatsoever.

Thanks for the kind words about my book.  It's going to be a great book and I've decided to put in a lot of tips, info and trade secrets about cigars and cigar smoking that many books and sources fail to mention.  I'm busy working away on it at the moment and there will be more news on it when the book finally goes to print.

Regards,
James