The PH Cigar Thread

[Likes Fast Cars]

Goaty Bill 2 said:

230th Anniversary for JJ Fox last night.
Champagne on entry, and plentiful red and white to follow.

The evening's cigar was the Hoyo de Monterrey Churchill 1985.
Gauge 47
Length 7" / 178mm



An absolutely magnificent cigar.
For no particular reason I can put in to words (the price of being a novice), I would say this was easily one of the best smokes I've had this year.

As always a lively and convivial evening.

You lucky sod! Sounds like a great evening!

[Likes Fast Cars]

paulguitar said:

I stopped into a cigar shop in Grand Cayman this week and picked these up:




The Montecristo is a Double Edmundo and the Cohiba a Media Siglo. I have had neither of these before. The Cohiba is a new vitola, a stubby little fella, the ring gauge of a Siglo 6 with the length of a Siglo 1. At a list price of $26 I am hoping for great things considering it is only a 35 minute smoke! I am not sure what to expect from the Montecristo, but I am looking forward to that as well.


Has anyone tried either of these?

I hadn't heard of or seen the Cohiba Media Siglio before (I'm a lover of the Siglio VI). How was it?

[craigjm]

Let me know when the next one is GB2 and I’ll see if I can make it

[jredram]

paulguitar said:

IanA2 said:

Hello, long time lurker here, just hang out to breathe in the smoke as I haven't smoked a cigar for well over ten years.

Which is why I'm posting, I'd really appreciate some advice on my stash.

My stash is over ten years old and consists of:

Cohiba: 5 1/2" R52 x 4
5" R48 x 16
5" R38 x 17

Montecristo: 5" R48 x 19

I have an approximate idea of what they cost to replace as new, but I'm wondering if their age would command a premium and it's not a question I'd want to put to a dealer without any inkling whatsoever.

Pointers appreciated. Thanks folks.

At least one of the Cohiba's in the right of the photo there looks to have some significant damage

Hi Guys,
Normally reside in the Porsche section and have just found this thread. As a committed cigar smoker I will be back! IanA2, heart took a little leap when I saw your stash but would have to ask if they have been stored correctly? The damage visible to the wrappers seems to suggest that they are dried out and the fact that most of the bands seem to be very loose, the wrappers are tight and some are split would confirm this. If so, after ten years, you are sitting on a very expensive mistake. Dried out cigars loose their oils/sugars and smoke like normal dried leaves! Were they humidified during the 10 years? If they have been stored correctly then yes, they would be worth a premium but, can you prove they are 10 years old and have been correctly stored?

Edited by jredram on Wednesday 27th September 00:05

[paulguitar]

jredram said:

paulguitar said:

IanA2 said:

Hello, long time lurker here, just hang out to breathe in the smoke as I haven't smoked a cigar for well over ten years.

Which is why I'm posting, I'd really appreciate some advice on my stash.

My stash is over ten years old and consists of:

Cohiba: 5 1/2" R52 x 4
5" R48 x 16
5" R38 x 17

Montecristo: 5" R48 x 19

I have an approximate idea of what they cost to replace as new, but I'm wondering if their age would command a premium and it's not a question I'd want to put to a dealer without any inkling whatsoever.

Pointers appreciated. Thanks folks.

At least one of the Cohiba's in the right of the photo there looks to have some significant damage

Hi Guys,
Normally reside in the Porsche section and have just found this thread. As a committed cigar smoker I will be back! IanA2, heart took a little leap when I saw your stash but would have to ask if they have been stored correctly? The damage visible to the wrappers seems to suggest that they are dried out and the fact that most of the bands seem to be very loose, the wrappers are tight and some are split would confirm this. If so, after ten years, you are sitting on a very expensive mistake. Dried out cigars loose their oils/sugars and smoke like normal dried leaves! Were they humidified during the 10 years? If they have been stored correctly then yes, they would be worth a premium but, can you prove they are 10 years old and have been correctly stored?

Edited by jredram on Wednesday 27th September 00:05

Hi, jredram, actually, that stash is the property of IanA2….I was in fact pointing out the damage in my post there as I noticed the same thing.


I have not smoked the Media Siglo yet, LFC, but I had the Monte Double Edmundo last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. the draw was as good as any cigar I have smoked. It was all over in an hour though, and for a night off cigar I prefer something that I will be smoking a little longer than that.


I am thinking I will have the Media Siglo perhaps on my last night here on my cruise ship contract, towards the end of October, as it will be a treat at the end of 108 gigs here!


Partagas P2 tonight, one of my favourites.

[Likes Fast Cars]

paulguitar said:

Hi, jredram, actually, that stash is the property of IanA2….I was in fact pointing out the damage in my post there as I noticed the same thing.


I have not smoked the Media Siglo yet, LFC, but I had the Monte Double Edmundo last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. the draw was as good as any cigar I have smoked. It was all over in an hour though, and for a night off cigar I prefer something that I will be smoking a little longer than that.


I am thinking I will have the Media Siglo perhaps on my last night here on my cruise ship contract, towards the end of October, as it will be a treat at the end of 108 gigs here!


Partagas P2 tonight, one of my favourites.

Partagas P2 - hope you enjoy / enjoyed it.

Waiting to hear your report on the Chiba in October

[jinkster]

Picked up the Tubo Davidoff Aniversario Number 3 a few days ago in the airport and had 1 yesterday afternoon in the garden. Very nice.

[FerdiZ28]

Afternoon all

Where do we all stand with the using of tap water in our humidors? i have a Germanus 4 level humidor which I properly seasoned with distilled water when I got it and put the same water into the humidifiers (standard Germanus plastic gel types x4).

Humidity sticks at a solid 70 RH, which I am fine with, although of late I've noticed it drop more often so I think this is a sign the humidifiers need refilling.

Wondered if anyone uses tap water rather than distilled? Hopefully a first world issue and a non-issue, but it would be easier to just soak the humidifiers in the sink in the cave rather than order distilled water. Also reading about issues of the mold killing abilities of chlorinated tap water, so am a bit torn.

Another question. I just got 27 R&J Robusto Reserves, fab smoke and up there with my favourites. Again never had an issue with the taste/burn/feel of them from the humidor, but, do we remove them from the cellophane and place in the cedar or leave the wrapping on? Same question for tubes I suppose.

Currently In the humidor I have about 120 sticks, ranging in size from Monte 5s to a few 6 gauge Cohibas. Impressed with the humidor, every smoke is as expected and the sticks are all in good condition.

Good thread guys, given me some great idea for some future smokes.

[jinkster]

FerdiZ28 said:

Afternoon all

Where do we all stand with the using of tap water in our humidors? i have a Germanus 4 level humidor which I properly seasoned with distilled water when I got it and put the same water into the humidifiers (standard Germanus plastic gel types x4).

Humidity sticks at a solid 70 RH, which I am fine with, although of late I've noticed it drop more often so I think this is a sign the humidifiers need refilling.

Wondered if anyone uses tap water rather than distilled? Hopefully a first world issue and a non-issue, but it would be easier to just soak the humidifiers in the sink in the cave rather than order distilled water. Also reading about issues of the mold killing abilities of chlorinated tap water, so am a bit torn.

Another question. I just got 27 R&J Robusto Reserves, fab smoke and up there with my favourites. Again never had an issue with the taste/burn/feel of them from the humidor, but, do we remove them from the cellophane and place in the cedar or leave the wrapping on? Same question for tubes I suppose.

Currently In the humidor I have about 120 sticks, ranging in size from Monte 5s to a few 6 gauge Cohibas. Impressed with the humidor, every smoke is as expected and the sticks are all in good condition.

Good thread guys, given me some great idea for some future smokes.

I use the Boveda packs (can be bought from eBay/ Amazon etc) and they are very good. Humidity is spot on and i've only got a cheap cedar Humidor (from Amazon)

[Goaty Bill 2]

jinkster said:

FerdiZ28 said:

Afternoon all

Where do we all stand with the using of tap water in our humidors? i have a Germanus 4 level humidor which I properly seasoned with distilled water when I got it and put the same water into the humidifiers (standard Germanus plastic gel types x4).

Humidity sticks at a solid 70 RH, which I am fine with, although of late I've noticed it drop more often so I think this is a sign the humidifiers need refilling.

Wondered if anyone uses tap water rather than distilled? Hopefully a first world issue and a non-issue, but it would be easier to just soak the humidifiers in the sink in the cave rather than order distilled water. Also reading about issues of the mold killing abilities of chlorinated tap water, so am a bit torn.

Another question. I just got 27 R&J Robusto Reserves, fab smoke and up there with my favourites. Again never had an issue with the taste/burn/feel of them from the humidor, but, do we remove them from the cellophane and place in the cedar or leave the wrapping on? Same question for tubes I suppose.

Currently In the humidor I have about 120 sticks, ranging in size from Monte 5s to a few 6 gauge Cohibas. Impressed with the humidor, every smoke is as expected and the sticks are all in good condition.

Good thread guys, given me some great idea for some future smokes.

I use the Boveda packs (can be bought from eBay/ Amazon etc) and they are very good. Humidity is spot on and i've only got a cheap cedar Humidor (from Amazon)

I have been using the clear plastic version of these in my humidor (similar to the Germanus version) - click for larger image.


If memory serves the humidor is 'rated' to hold 250 cigars, though it rarely gets past 50-60
I use de-ionised water from Halfords. £3.50 for 5L jug.
I probably re-charge the hydrators about once per month.
Not as scientific as Boveda (which are excellent), but a lot cheaper for maintaining a larger humidor.


A little blurb on hydrating;
The secret of the correct liquid or the magical effect of the propylene glycol

Unfortunately, the argument goes that the minerals in the water can clog the pores of you hydrator beads/crystals, and the chlorine may alter the flavour of your cigars over time.

I would remove your R&Js from any packaging.
The exception might be some Dutch and Danish brand cigars which are often made to be stored/smoked at room humidity. They are often a bit like a high quality Cafe Creme, though even here I have found that they can become too dry over time.

Any usual Cuban, Nicaraguan or Dominican, especially from the well recognised producers will be better off for being allowed to be free in the humidor.
Same goes for tubos in my experience. In principal, they are packaged at the ideal, or slightly above the ideal level of hydration, and the packaging helps to preserve that. But they are always stored in a humidor before sale to ensure consistency. Once you've got them home, a naturist life style in the humidor will only improve them.

[IanA2]

I believe tumble dryer water is both distilled and deionised.

[EJH]

IanA2 said:

I believe tumble dryer water is both distilled and deionised.

Is it not possible that minerals and dissolved materials can be built up in tumble drier water?

For the amount of liquid I use, I have always just used deionised water from the local motor factor and, for the last year or so, Xikar's PG solution as it makes managing the humidor easier (especially when idiot EJH bought an over-sized humidifier) as it self-buffers at ~71% rh.

[IanA2]

EJH said:

IanA2 said:

I believe tumble dryer water is both distilled and deionised.

Is it not possible that minerals and dissolved materials can be built up in tumble drier water?

For the amount of liquid I use, I have always just used deionised water from the local motor factor and, for the last year or so, Xikar's PG solution as it makes managing the humidor easier (especially when idiot EJH bought an over-sized humidifier) as it self-buffers at ~71% rh.

That it is both distilled and deionised is I'm afraid the extent of my knowledge of the subject :-)

[Mastodon2]

I'm not sure of the exact cost / effort comparison of Boveda packs vs distilled water and the necessary water changes, but my Bovedas seem able to keep the humidity stable in excess of a year and even then I just change the packs out of precaution.

[RichUK]

I use a Cigar Oasis Plus along with the occasional Boveda pack to keep humidity at between 62-64%. The Cigar Oasis tends to run to about 60% on its own, even though it is set to 64%, I suspect the size of the humidor has a bearing on how well it performs.

Had a wonderful find on Friday. Managed to grab six Upmann Mag 56's out of a box split. They arrived yesterday morning and I was sorely tempted to have one for breakfast. They smelt absolutely devine.

[jinkster]

Currently sat outside with a Montecristo open master, a glass of Jura Origin - heaven!

[paulguitar]

jinkster said:

Currently sat outside with a Montecristo open master, a glass of Jura Origin - heaven!

[jinkster]

paulguitar said:

jinkster said:

Currently sat outside with a Montecristo open master, a glass of Jura Origin - heaven!

Cheers

[FerdiZ28]

Sorry for late acknowledgement chaps

Thanks for the advice re the distilled water and unwrapping the stogies.

One more while “I’ve got you” - my humidor is at 74% and has been for days. Am I in mould territory?

[Goaty Bill 2]

FerdiZ28 said:

Sorry for late acknowledgement chaps

Thanks for the advice re the distilled water and unwrapping the stogies.

One more while “I’ve got you” - my humidor is at 74% and has been for days. Am I in mould territory?

Probably not, but ideally (as I'm sure you are already thinking) you want it 2-6% lower for optimum smoking RH.
Just don't do anything drastic. Slow changes are much safer than fast ones.

Don't forget the obvious; RH can change quite rapidly with temperature changes.
And even the RH of the air surrounding the humidor can have a small effect, so it can be quite seasonal.

I see an average ~2% difference between early autumn through to late spring, lower in winter/higher in summer, without altering anything else.