Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

Howdy, folks. Long time, no see. This smoke has been in my humidor for almost 10 years, now. I wanted to get a 2nd opinion on this to determine if what I'm looking at is plume, mold or a combination. If mold, should I toss it, or is it still smokable?

Thanks in advance!

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

Mold, mold, and more mold.
:2

I'd toss it.

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

Efflorescence is my thoughts.

Page 2 of the link below will tell you how to tell if it's mold or minerals.


https://phc.amedd.army.mil/PHC%20Res...20Feb%2011.pdf

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

1000% mold. Try gently wiping it off with your fingers (wash them afterwards) and if it comes off, you should be able to resurrect it. Otherwise, toss it in the round file for an eternity of additional aging.

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

Fair enough, fellas. Thanks.

So, same question, different sticks.

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

Same answer - mold.
But worth wiping off and smoking.

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

Agreed. Those are an easy fix; the first stick, not so much.

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

Agree with the others. First stick, toss. The other two you can salvage.

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

Actually, I gave a shot at wiping her down, and she cleaned up kinda nice. Still a tosser, or is it smokable?

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

If there is mold in the foot, I believe that makes it.. much like a jerky english guy .. a tosser.

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

Smokable. You cleaned up the minerals coming out of the wrappper. Should be a tasty cigar.

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

:tpd:

Given the amount of mold on the wrapper, I'd still toss it.
:2

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

Bummer. Out it goes.

Thanks for everyone's help!

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

https://i.imgur.com/aqbA4ipl.jpg
Plume Or Mold On 10+ Year Old Cigars In My Wooden Humi???

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

Unfortunately, mold. :td

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

That's What I Was Wondering, Tom. It's White & Brushes Off Easily. Should I Move All My Cigars, Wipe Out My Humidifier & Re-Humidify It??? Thanks, All!:tu

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

I’m the contrarian on this topic.

Minerals.

Wipe if desired.

Smoke away.

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

That's What I Thought, Dave. Whatever It Is, It Wiped Away Easily With My Finger. I Checked Each Cigar With My Trusted HumidiMeter And The Range Was 60-70 With Most Around 67. I Wiped Each Cigar With A Paper Towel Dampened With Vodka And Am Leaving Them To Dry In The House Overnight. Will Let You Know How They Smoke, Tomorrow.:tu

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

I Store My Cigars In A Custom Wooden Humi, Probably 350 Cigars Total, 4 Trays Deep And Maintaining A RH @69. Most Of These Cigars Are 10 Years + In Age And I Change My 69% Boveda Packs Out Every 3 Months.. Never Had This Happen Before.

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

Here is a simple test.

“The easiest way to differentiate between the two is via a water test. Spray a small quantity of water on the suspected substance. Efflorescence will quickly dissolve, while mold growth will remain. The mold growth will likely mat down a bit, so look carefully for lingering material.”

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

I'll Try That Test On My Next Questionable Cigar. Thanks, Admiral & Dave! :tu
The Crazy Thing Is That I Found 15 or So Cigars At Once With That Issue, So I Suspected Mold.

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

Mold, if there is just a little you can wipe off throughly and smoke, but that's more than i have ever dealt with, also you should check the foot if mold is in the foot the cigar is kaput and should just be trashed anyway.

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

So Mold Wipes Off Easily???

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

^^ This. In the foot, toss it. You don't want that in your body. Otherwise, I use a little isopropyl alcohol to wipe it off (and any naked cigars that were around it). Same for the humidor. Then I let the cigar sit out for a day to let any alcohol evaporate, and put it into a ziploc bag with a boveda for at least week to rehumidify.

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

Seconded. I had a few moldy cigars a few years ago (always CCs for some reason). I cleaned 'em up and they smoked just fine.

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

I Tried A Few That I Treated With Vodka I Wiped Them Off With And Let Them Dry 8H. Tasted Very Bitter, So I Tossed Them And Am Re- Seasoning My Humidor After Wiping It All Down With Isopropyl Alcohol And Trying To Keep The Humidity Below 70 This Time! Thanks For All The Advice!:tu

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

Hope you have it under control, Greg! :tu

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

I Think So, Brother. Better Safe Than Sorry!:D:tu

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

Re: Plume, Mold... or Both?
 

Plume is mold.