Cigar Connosoirs - your help please
Discussion
a handy cigar website said:
There has been much discussion and argument over whether cigars can be restored to their normal state once they have dried out. If a cigar has become dry and the wrapper has not cracked and unravelled, then it can be restored. But this must be done slowly and patiently. If the wrapper has actually broken then the cigar should be discarded. If it has completely dried out, it will fall apart between your fingers regardless of how gentle and careful you are.
Remember, that although dry cigars could be brought back to an acceptable smoking condition, they will probably never be as good as they originally were. There are several ways of treating dry cigars, depending on their condition. They must be removed from any cellophane wrappers, cedar or aluminum tubes before any restoration process. If they are not excessively dry, the box with its lid open should be placed inside a large walk-in humidor or, if one is not available, in a cellar or similar dampish location, where they can be exposed slowly to dampness, as close to 70% humidity as possible. After two or three days the top and bottom rows should be interchanged and should remain in that position for another two or three days.
If you do not have a walk-in humidor or cellar then you can probably undertake a similar process using two 'Zip N Seal' bags. Firstly, puncture the smaller bag with many little holes and then insert the open box and close the bag. Place that bag, now containing the cigars, into a larger 'Zip N Seal' bag containing one or more of our large humidification pads. Seal the second bag. After four to six days the cigars should be removed from their box and exposed to the full humidity. Sometimes small water bubbles may appear under the wrapper, but there is nothing to fear as long as you give the cigars a 25% rotation every two or three days. Complete the process until the cigars have been fully rotated at least twice, providing even exposure to the humidity.
By this time any bubbles will have disappeared. This process can take up to three weeks. At the end of the treatment the wrappers will again look and feel smooth with only the normal gentle crackling sound when the cigars are pressed between fingers, they can then be returned to their original box. Please remember the following points before you start:-
* If you use the 'Zip N Seal' bags, use one or or more of our humidity pads and humidification solution.
* When the cigars are not too dry they can sometimes be restored by simply wrapping the closed box in a damp (not wet) towel for about two weeks.
* After treatment it is best to leave cigars for 6 to 12 months for the three components (filler, binder and wrapper) again to equilibrate before smoking. Just check on their condition every three months.
* It takes only a few weeks for a cigar to become dry in adverse conditions, but it takes a few months to restore them to a smokable condition.
* It is best not to mix cigars of different brands, particularly Havanas and non-Havanas, but to store them separately.
* Restoring Extremely Dry Cigars - If you provide extremely dry cigars with too much humidity, too quickly, then the wrappers will split. It is best to keep them in their box in a large or walk-in humidor or 'Zip N Seal' bag for about a month before opening the lid. Then they can be removed and then undergo the previously described rotation method.
Remember, that although dry cigars could be brought back to an acceptable smoking condition, they will probably never be as good as they originally were. There are several ways of treating dry cigars, depending on their condition. They must be removed from any cellophane wrappers, cedar or aluminum tubes before any restoration process. If they are not excessively dry, the box with its lid open should be placed inside a large walk-in humidor or, if one is not available, in a cellar or similar dampish location, where they can be exposed slowly to dampness, as close to 70% humidity as possible. After two or three days the top and bottom rows should be interchanged and should remain in that position for another two or three days.
If you do not have a walk-in humidor or cellar then you can probably undertake a similar process using two 'Zip N Seal' bags. Firstly, puncture the smaller bag with many little holes and then insert the open box and close the bag. Place that bag, now containing the cigars, into a larger 'Zip N Seal' bag containing one or more of our large humidification pads. Seal the second bag. After four to six days the cigars should be removed from their box and exposed to the full humidity. Sometimes small water bubbles may appear under the wrapper, but there is nothing to fear as long as you give the cigars a 25% rotation every two or three days. Complete the process until the cigars have been fully rotated at least twice, providing even exposure to the humidity.
By this time any bubbles will have disappeared. This process can take up to three weeks. At the end of the treatment the wrappers will again look and feel smooth with only the normal gentle crackling sound when the cigars are pressed between fingers, they can then be returned to their original box. Please remember the following points before you start:-
* If you use the 'Zip N Seal' bags, use one or or more of our humidity pads and humidification solution.
* When the cigars are not too dry they can sometimes be restored by simply wrapping the closed box in a damp (not wet) towel for about two weeks.
* After treatment it is best to leave cigars for 6 to 12 months for the three components (filler, binder and wrapper) again to equilibrate before smoking. Just check on their condition every three months.
* It takes only a few weeks for a cigar to become dry in adverse conditions, but it takes a few months to restore them to a smokable condition.
* It is best not to mix cigars of different brands, particularly Havanas and non-Havanas, but to store them separately.
* Restoring Extremely Dry Cigars - If you provide extremely dry cigars with too much humidity, too quickly, then the wrappers will split. It is best to keep them in their box in a large or walk-in humidor or 'Zip N Seal' bag for about a month before opening the lid. Then they can be removed and then undergo the previously described rotation method.
Cheers for the tips and links guys!!
OK so change of goalpoasts - using home remedies (as I am in Singapore and humidifying things is a strange concept here)
What do I do???
I could just leave them on the window sill as its 80% humidity, but i suspect that the 35c will bugger that.
As the house is Airconditioned to 26c it is very dry (probably part of the root problem here and at the shop) do i stick with the spuds and root veggies or is there another clever idea?
I accept and appreciate that patience is necessary (aside from dry they are in good smokable condition, but just a tad harsh ..)
Is it better to "plastic bag" the cigars in the tuppaware with the spuds?
Appreciate i am going a little beyond normal boundaries but fingers crossed!!!
Otherwise i stick to the spuds in kitchen towel and just rotate the cigars!!
In the meantime will get some of them rehumidifiuers on order as they may be usefull in the future!!!
OK so change of goalpoasts - using home remedies (as I am in Singapore and humidifying things is a strange concept here)
What do I do???
I could just leave them on the window sill as its 80% humidity, but i suspect that the 35c will bugger that.
As the house is Airconditioned to 26c it is very dry (probably part of the root problem here and at the shop) do i stick with the spuds and root veggies or is there another clever idea?
I accept and appreciate that patience is necessary (aside from dry they are in good smokable condition, but just a tad harsh ..)
Is it better to "plastic bag" the cigars in the tuppaware with the spuds?
Appreciate i am going a little beyond normal boundaries but fingers crossed!!!
Otherwise i stick to the spuds in kitchen towel and just rotate the cigars!!
In the meantime will get some of them rehumidifiuers on order as they may be usefull in the future!!!
Bearing in mind the "ideal" conditions are "70/70"
70% Humidy
70 deg F
I'd go with somewhere satble in temp, (maybe hotter than ideal, but hey) and get the humidity right.
I'd keep with the box & spuds method until a "proper" humidification method is sorted, but aim to keep the temp stable and away from any strong odours.
Hope that helps
Chris
70% Humidy
70 deg F
I'd go with somewhere satble in temp, (maybe hotter than ideal, but hey) and get the humidity right.
I'd keep with the box & spuds method until a "proper" humidification method is sorted, but aim to keep the temp stable and away from any strong odours.
Hope that helps
Chris
XJSJohn said:
Folks, a Question on "Restoring" Cigars
Wife very kindly picked me up a box of 25 Partega Shorts from the reputable Cigar shop in town that were on "special" and definitely were good value on the surface of it.
However the catch is that they seem to be very dry (hence why so cheep).
So, any tips or tricks for getting them back to fighting condition??
Currently have transferred them to a snap-lock container with a few spuds wrapped in kitchen towel, think i read somewhere on here that this could help, but any other ideas?
mental note to self, must remember to change the spuds regularly.
Humidor QuestionWife very kindly picked me up a box of 25 Partega Shorts from the reputable Cigar shop in town that were on "special" and definitely were good value on the surface of it.
However the catch is that they seem to be very dry (hence why so cheep).
So, any tips or tricks for getting them back to fighting condition??
Currently have transferred them to a snap-lock container with a few spuds wrapped in kitchen towel, think i read somewhere on here that this could help, but any other ideas?
mental note to self, must remember to change the spuds regularly.
How do you restore a dry cigar?
Humidor Answer
It has happened to all of us at one time or another. You simply forgot about that nice box of stogies you had in the back seat of your car for 3 months. Ok, well hopefully you aren't that absent minded, but you get the idea. I always get asked what you can do to restore dried cigars.
The most important thing to remember is that restoring a dried cigar takes time. Lots of time and patience. Don't be in a hurry to get the job done.
Step 1 - Take your cigars and put them in a non-humidified humidor. If this doesn't exist, then you can use a zip-top bag with some holes poked in it. You want to bring the cigars to a steady humidity level that is much less than 70%. Let them sit in this environment for about 2-3 days.
Step 2 - Take a fresh clean sponge and get it damp with distilled water. Place inside the zip-top bag and allow it to sit there, not touching any cigars, for at least one more week. This will slowly add humidity to the cigars at a rate that will prevent the wrapper from bursting.
Step 3 - After two weeks your cigars should start to look a lot healthier. Put them in your charged, maintained humidor at this point. Don't smoke them yet. Let them rest for while. I would suggest a month or two, just to make sure things are back to normal. Then you can feel free to smoke to your hearts content.
Knowing nothing about cigars (but as an ex-smoker) I was tempted to try a cigar by some friends, while in Turkey, recently. They were smoking these:
http://www.simplycigars.co.uk/villiger-premium-no7...
The experience proved very pleasant ... so pleasant that I bought a few boxes on the way home (from the airport shop). They cost less than a quid each, so no great outlay, and taste very nearly as good when smoked with a malt by the fire in the UK as when sitting on the terrace outside a Turkish villa when the sun is going down ...
Purely out of interest, how do these compare with the (no doubt much finer) wares being spoken of here? Is it worth me trying more expensive cigars, or is it just a very slippery slope to financial ruin ... ?
Oli.
http://www.simplycigars.co.uk/villiger-premium-no7...
The experience proved very pleasant ... so pleasant that I bought a few boxes on the way home (from the airport shop). They cost less than a quid each, so no great outlay, and taste very nearly as good when smoked with a malt by the fire in the UK as when sitting on the terrace outside a Turkish villa when the sun is going down ...
Purely out of interest, how do these compare with the (no doubt much finer) wares being spoken of here? Is it worth me trying more expensive cigars, or is it just a very slippery slope to financial ruin ... ?
Oli.
Not quite sure what sort of Villiger you're talking about (link is blocked at work), but I've had a few smaller ones and they are far more coarse than a half decent Cuban.
If you want to try some better cigars at non-ruinous prices I'd highly recommend a "Jose L. Piedra Petit Cazadores".
A fairly cheap smoke from Cuba (£3.60 each from my local tobacconist) and a nice bridging point to the more expensive stuff...
It can be pretty ruinous, have just bought a box of 25 cigars to share with a mate and bought another box of 25 a couple of days ago at a bargain price (would have cost me £575 in the UK!!!!).
If you want to try some better cigars at non-ruinous prices I'd highly recommend a "Jose L. Piedra Petit Cazadores".
A fairly cheap smoke from Cuba (£3.60 each from my local tobacconist) and a nice bridging point to the more expensive stuff...
It can be pretty ruinous, have just bought a box of 25 cigars to share with a mate and bought another box of 25 a couple of days ago at a bargain price (would have cost me £575 in the UK!!!!).
neil_bolton said:
I also found it fascinating to read the Cigar Etiquette:
In 1967 Zino Davidoff outlined a protocol for smokers in his noted essay for connoisseurs. It is a charter and code for cigar smokers everywhere, and it remains as valid today as when he first wrote it. Among his directives were the following do’s and don'ts:
DON'T
Edited for bloody formatting
In 1967 Zino Davidoff outlined a protocol for smokers in his noted essay for connoisseurs. It is a charter and code for cigar smokers everywhere, and it remains as valid today as when he first wrote it. Among his directives were the following do’s and don'ts:
DON'T
- Use a penknife to cut or a lance to pierce the end of the cigar.
- Touch the flame directly to the foot of the cigar: Instead simply rotate it around the edge till it starts to burn, then puff lightly.
- Ask someone else for a light ('The lighting of a cigar should be a personal affair').
- Light your cigar too quickly or too slowly.
- Indulge in exhibitionism in lighting or any other aspect of smoking.
- Relight your cigar if less than one quarter of it is leaf.
- Put the cigar in your mouth to relight it.
- Just scrape off the ash and turn it in the flame for several seconds till it relights.
- Clench it between your teeth.
- Get the end of the cigar wet, chew It, slobber on it.
- Smoke too quickly. Use a cigar holder.
- Stick a toothpick or matchstick in the end of the cigar to help hold it in your mouth.
- Dunk your cigar in port or brandy, a habit attributed to Winston Churchill.
- Smoke while working.
- Hold a cigar between your index and middle finger.
- Smoke when you're walking.
- Smoke more than half the cigar.
- Put the cigar out by crushing it in an ashtray.
- Chain-smoke cigars.
- Warm the foot of the cigar slightly before starting to puff on it.
- Remove the band carefully after lighting the cigar.
- Take your time smoking it; a puff a minute is about right.
- Hold the cigar between your index finger and thumb.
- Let the cigar die a dignified death; after it's smoked halfway, it will go out on its own. *Dispose of the dead cigar discreetly and quickly.
- Wait at least fifteen minutes between cigars; anything less indicates obsessive behaviour.
- The important thing to remember is that we cigar aficionados should present ourselves as considerate and understanding individuals. Changing people's preconceived notions and giving the growing numbers of aficionados a good name is well worth that little extra effort.
Edited for bloody formatting
Edited by neil_bolton on Tuesday 10th July 12:17
As this topic has been bumped... Some of you might find this useful.
PuroExpress.com are currently doing 25 Cohiba Siglo I (5 x 5 pack) for 90 Euros. They are sent from one of the Canary Islands so I'm not sure how above board it all is but I've used them in the past for a box of Monte Cristos and they arrived OK.
I normally use C-Gars, and will continue to do so for smaller quantities, but at that price I couldn't resist.
PuroExpress.com are currently doing 25 Cohiba Siglo I (5 x 5 pack) for 90 Euros. They are sent from one of the Canary Islands so I'm not sure how above board it all is but I've used them in the past for a box of Monte Cristos and they arrived OK.
I normally use C-Gars, and will continue to do so for smaller quantities, but at that price I couldn't resist.
mouseymousey said:
As this topic has been bumped... Some of you might find this useful.
PuroExpress.com are currently doing 25 Cohiba Siglo I (5 x 5 pack) for 90 Euros. They are sent from one of the Canary Islands so I'm not sure how above board it all is but I've used them in the past for a box of Monte Cristos and they arrived OK.
I normally use C-Gars, and will continue to do so for smaller quantities, but at that price I couldn't resist.
I normally use C-Gars too, but will give PuroExpress.com a Try i'm due a re-stock soon anyway PuroExpress.com are currently doing 25 Cohiba Siglo I (5 x 5 pack) for 90 Euros. They are sent from one of the Canary Islands so I'm not sure how above board it all is but I've used them in the past for a box of Monte Cristos and they arrived OK.
I normally use C-Gars, and will continue to do so for smaller quantities, but at that price I couldn't resist.
thank you
I just got a pack of these for a mates wedding. I am clueless about cigars but bloke who sits next to me is a connoisseur and finds this website pretty good.
http://www.cigars-of-cuba.com/tastings/tastinginfo...
http://www.cigars-of-cuba.com/tastings/tastinginfo...
neil_bolton said:
I also found it fascinating to read the Cigar Etiquette:
In 1967 Zino Davidoff outlined a protocol for smokers in his noted essay for connoisseurs. It is a charter and code for cigar smokers everywhere, and it remains as valid today as when he first wrote it. Among his directives were the following do’s and don'ts:
DON'T
Edited for bloody formatting
Superb.In 1967 Zino Davidoff outlined a protocol for smokers in his noted essay for connoisseurs. It is a charter and code for cigar smokers everywhere, and it remains as valid today as when he first wrote it. Among his directives were the following do’s and don'ts:
DON'T
- Use a penknife to cut or a lance to pierce the end of the cigar.
- Touch the flame directly to the foot of the cigar: Instead simply rotate it around the edge till it starts to burn, then puff lightly.
- Ask someone else for a light ('The lighting of a cigar should be a personal affair').
- Light your cigar too quickly or too slowly.
- Indulge in exhibitionism in lighting or any other aspect of smoking.
- Relight your cigar if less than one quarter of it is leaf.
- Put the cigar in your mouth to relight it.
- Just scrape off the ash and turn it in the flame for several seconds till it relights.
- Clench it between your teeth.
- Get the end of the cigar wet, chew It, slobber on it.
- Smoke too quickly. Use a cigar holder.
- Stick a toothpick or matchstick in the end of the cigar to help hold it in your mouth.
- Dunk your cigar in port or brandy, a habit attributed to Winston Churchill.
- Smoke while working.
- Hold a cigar between your index and middle finger.
- Smoke when you're walking.
- Smoke more than half the cigar.
- Put the cigar out by crushing it in an ashtray.
- Chain-smoke cigars.
- Warm the foot of the cigar slightly before starting to puff on it.
- Remove the band carefully after lighting the cigar.
- Take your time smoking it; a puff a minute is about right.
- Hold the cigar between your index finger and thumb.
- Let the cigar die a dignified death; after it's smoked halfway, it will go out on its own. *Dispose of the dead cigar discreetly and quickly.
- Wait at least fifteen minutes between cigars; anything less indicates obsessive behaviour.
- The important thing to remember is that we cigar aficionados should present ourselves as considerate and understanding individuals. Changing people's preconceived notions and giving the growing numbers of aficionados a good name is well worth that little extra effort.
Edited for bloody formatting
Edited by neil_bolton on Tuesday 10th July 12:17
Just discovered this thread. I've actually got a humidor although it's empty these days. It was a gift and I went though a phase of having a cigar (usually montecristo no.2 or 3) once or twice a week, sitting outside on a nice summers evening.
I've found that they f
k with my palate for drinking whiskluthough so haven't got back into the habit this year. Would like to learn more about them and, I suppose, try smoking again. I indulged in one of these for last years BTaP, was most enjoyable, took bloody hours to smoke 
think I'll probably have the same this year
http://www.simplycigars.co.uk/montecristo-single-s...
think I'll probably have the same this yearhttp://www.simplycigars.co.uk/montecristo-single-s...
mouseymousey said:
As this topic has been bumped... Some of you might find this useful.
PuroExpress.com are currently doing 25 Cohiba Siglo I (5 x 5 pack) for 90 Euros. They are sent from one of the Canary Islands so I'm not sure how above board it all is but I've used them in the past for a box of Monte Cristos and they arrived OK.
I normally use C-Gars, and will continue to do so for smaller quantities, but at that price I couldn't resist.
Been using them for a while now.PuroExpress.com are currently doing 25 Cohiba Siglo I (5 x 5 pack) for 90 Euros. They are sent from one of the Canary Islands so I'm not sure how above board it all is but I've used them in the past for a box of Monte Cristos and they arrived OK.
I normally use C-Gars, and will continue to do so for smaller quantities, but at that price I couldn't resist.
A mate has just had a box of Macanudos from there, we've both ordered Jose L Piedra Cazadoras (75 between us!
), I've had Romeo y Julietas from there.Very impressed all round!
LukeBird said:
mouseymousey said:
As this topic has been bumped... Some of you might find this useful.
PuroExpress.com are currently doing 25 Cohiba Siglo I (5 x 5 pack) for 90 Euros. They are sent from one of the Canary Islands so I'm not sure how above board it all is but I've used them in the past for a box of Monte Cristos and they arrived OK.
I normally use C-Gars, and will continue to do so for smaller quantities, but at that price I couldn't resist.
Been using them for a while now.PuroExpress.com are currently doing 25 Cohiba Siglo I (5 x 5 pack) for 90 Euros. They are sent from one of the Canary Islands so I'm not sure how above board it all is but I've used them in the past for a box of Monte Cristos and they arrived OK.
I normally use C-Gars, and will continue to do so for smaller quantities, but at that price I couldn't resist.
A mate has just had a box of Macanudos from there, we've both ordered Jose L Piedra Cazadoras (75 between us!
), I've had Romeo y Julietas from there.Very impressed all round!
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