Had my first experience with Tunneling on a T52.

xerais · 08-10-2013, 06:20 AM

It was a pretty disappointing way to end my evening. I knew something was wrong a couple of minutes after lighting the cigar. Barely any smoke production, draw was horrible, but the foot of the cigar looked even and fully lit. I let the cigar go out and then clipped off the foot. The very center was totally black and burned a good two inches down. I re-cut it down, re-lit, and unfortunately experienced the same thing.

I know rollers aren't perfect, but this is the first higher end cigar I've had problems with since I got back into smoking on a regular basis. Honestly I think the last cigar I had a tunneling issue with was an Oliva V lancero five years ago.

Out of curiosity, does anyone know what specifically causes this kind of burn problem?

cmitch · 08-10-2013, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xerais

It was a pretty disappointing way to end my evening. I knew something was wrong a couple of minutes after lighting the cigar. Barely any smoke production, draw was horrible, but the foot of the cigar looked even and fully lit. I let the cigar go out and then clipped off the foot. The very center was totally black and burned a good two inches down. I re-cut it down, re-lit, and unfortunately experienced the same thing.

I know rollers aren't perfect, but this is the first higher end cigar I've had problems with since I got back into smoking on a regular basis. Honestly I think the last cigar I had a tunneling issue with was an Oliva V lancero five years ago.

Out of curiosity, does anyone know what specifically causes this kind of burn problem?

I've opened them up before and it's just a hole right down the cigar, usually the center, where the cigar leaves did not appear tightly rolled. I also had a couple of T52's do this but, so far, only experienced it once with a No. 9 and it wasn't bad enough to not recover. It sucks to pay that much for a stick and have that happen.

Ubiquitous · 08-10-2013, 07:43 AM

I have had a few sticks do this. If you notice it early, lay some flame to the wrapper and you're set! Most recently it was a UF-13. Luckily I fixed it.

Honestly, I think it's usually user error by not toastig the foot well enough to get the wrapper to burn.

xerais · 08-10-2013, 06:12 PM

Was definitely loose in the center. If I held my fingers on the cigar really tight it would draw. Stopped the second I released pressure. Crap happens.

equetefue · 08-10-2013, 06:36 PM

Maybe over humidified?

cmitch · 08-10-2013, 07:21 PM

I know what he speaks of. It's not the way you light it nor is it humidity. It's definitely a rolling issue. There is literally a hole running through the cigar.

CigarNut · 08-10-2013, 09:45 PM

Tunneling can be an indicator of humidity issues.

xerais · 08-10-2013, 11:32 PM

I don't think it was a humidification issue. It was the fifth one I've smoked from the same box in my humidor. I use HCM beads and remain at a steady 65% humidity. The other four were perfect which was why I was so disappointed.

I'm guessing that cigars can become over humidified around the wrapper? That would cause the center to burn quicker right? I just don't see how that would be the case in this situation.

Also the burn was completely even. I toasted the foot like I always do, took a few puffs and noticed very little smoke on the draw. I let it go out and then cut it again, and saw the black char in the very center. I cut that down and then re-lit it again. Same thing happened.

Was getting no smoke on draw and it just burned right down the center of the cigar.

xerais · 08-10-2013, 11:38 PM

In other news: I smoked a No. 9 earlier tonight and it was delicious!

I'm just hoping it will be a while before I run into another dud as I hate wasting money.

08-10-2013, 06:20 AM	#1
xerais Just in from the Storm Join Date: May 2013 First Name: Matt Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 31 Trading: (0)	Had my first experience with Tunneling on a T52. It was a pretty disappointing way to end my evening. I knew something was wrong a couple of minutes after lighting the cigar. Barely any smoke production, draw was horrible, but the foot of the cigar looked even and fully lit. I let the cigar go out and then clipped off the foot. The very center was totally black and burned a good two inches down. I re-cut it down, re-lit, and unfortunately experienced the same thing. I know rollers aren't perfect, but this is the first higher end cigar I've had problems with since I got back into smoking on a regular basis. Honestly I think the last cigar I had a tunneling issue with was an Oliva V lancero five years ago. Out of curiosity, does anyone know what specifically causes this kind of burn problem?

08-10-2013, 07:43 AM	#3
Ubiquitous Living life at top speed Join Date: Jul 2012 First Name: Travis Location: WA Posts: 253 Trading: (6)	Re: Had my first experience with Tunneling on a T52. I have had a few sticks do this. If you notice it early, lay some flame to the wrapper and you're set! Most recently it was a UF-13. Luckily I fixed it. Honestly, I think it's usually user error by not toastig the foot well enough to get the wrapper to burn. __________________ Nevermind watching your wake... you'll just end up hitting a rock.

08-10-2013, 06:12 PM	#4
xerais Just in from the Storm Join Date: May 2013 First Name: Matt Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 31 Trading: (0)	Re: Had my first experience with Tunneling on a T52. Was definitely loose in the center. If I held my fingers on the cigar really tight it would draw. Stopped the second I released pressure. Crap happens.

08-10-2013, 06:36 PM	#5
equetefue Liga Privada Hoarder Join Date: Jun 2012 First Name: Edwin Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,348 Trading: (17)	Re: Had my first experience with Tunneling on a T52. Maybe over humidified?

08-10-2013, 07:21 PM	#6
cmitch Heads up get down Join Date: Oct 2010 First Name: Clayton Location: NW Alabama by the river Posts: 2,720 Trading: (25)	Re: Had my first experience with Tunneling on a T52. I know what he speaks of. It's not the way you light it nor is it humidity. It's definitely a rolling issue. There is literally a hole running through the cigar. __________________ No matter what one's status is in society, cigars are the great equalizer where the affluent and common share a love for the leaf. - Me.

08-10-2013, 09:45 PM	#7
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,042 Trading: (111*)	Re: Had my first experience with Tunneling on a T52. Tunneling can be an indicator of humidity issues. __________________ Need Beads? Need Five Finger Bags? 2 of 3 Requirements for use of the CA Rolodex: 100 posts/ 60 day membership/ participation in trade (trader rating). New members can be added at any time.

08-10-2013, 11:32 PM	#8
xerais Just in from the Storm Join Date: May 2013 First Name: Matt Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 31 Trading: (0)	Re: Had my first experience with Tunneling on a T52. I don't think it was a humidification issue. It was the fifth one I've smoked from the same box in my humidor. I use HCM beads and remain at a steady 65% humidity. The other four were perfect which was why I was so disappointed. I'm guessing that cigars can become over humidified around the wrapper? That would cause the center to burn quicker right? I just don't see how that would be the case in this situation. Also the burn was completely even. I toasted the foot like I always do, took a few puffs and noticed very little smoke on the draw. I let it go out and then cut it again, and saw the black char in the very center. I cut that down and then re-lit it again. Same thing happened. Was getting no smoke on draw and it just burned right down the center of the cigar.

08-10-2013, 11:38 PM	#9
xerais Just in from the Storm Join Date: May 2013 First Name: Matt Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 31 Trading: (0)	Re: Had my first experience with Tunneling on a T52. In other news: I smoked a No. 9 earlier tonight and it was delicious! I'm just hoping it will be a while before I run into another dud as I hate wasting money.