More Beetles!

[MTB996]

So, I have been in the non-freeze everything camp for awhile, but I think I need to change my position. I have 2 Vinos and 2 desktops (1 for junk and 1 for good singles). Well, my desktop used to store singles is now infected.

I found several cigars with beetle holes (all form the same shipment of NCs). One in particular had TONS of beetle poop in the celophane and another had a clear hole through the cigar AND through the celphane (I need to look around for the loose demon). My big issue is that humi stores some really nice singles (Esplendidos, Monte A, Sig VIs, other CC and several Opus and nice NCs. TIme to bag and freeze the contents of this whole humi.

I will really need to think about taking all my boxes out of my Vinos and doing the freezing to be on the safe side, but its a lot of work...bummer.

Here's a couple photos. sorry for the large size.

Hole with TONS of beetle droppings


Hole with corresponding hole in plastic.


Please check your stash and be proactive....

Also, I thought hard about not showing the band, as Rob is A+ and the best vendor I have ever dealt with, but wanted everyone to be aware- this is in NO WAY a negative on Rob or his cigars, it can happen to any brand.

[Nabinger16]

Man... That sucks! I hope you get a handle on it and that's is as far as it ends up going.

Good luck!

[BamBam]

Just drop Rob a PM. He'll make it right. We all know how his customer service is top notch.

btw everytime I read one of these beetle threads it makes me nervous

[MTB996]

Originally Posted by BamBam

Just drop Rob a PM. He'll make it right. We all know how his customer service is top notch.

btw everytime I read one of these beetle threads it makes me nervous

I just sent him a note from his website - NOT expecting him to make it right, these things happen and just want him to be aware. Heck, I have won far more cigars from Rob's generosity over the past year than cigars lost to beetles, so its a non issue wrt expecting anything from him. I will certainly keep buying from him.

[BamBam]

Originally Posted by MTB996

I just sent him a note from his website - NOT expecting him to make it right, these things happen and just want him to be aware. Heck, I have won far more cigars from Rob's generosity over the past year than cigars lost to beetles, so its a non issue wrt expecting anything from him. I will certainly keep buying from him.

Same here. But you and I both know that Rob will make it up to you whether you want him to or not.

btw just smoked a LR Maduro today from Taboo and it was awesome

[lightning9191]

That sucks man....at least you caught it before it got too out of control.

[MTB996]

All bagged up and into the freezer. Glad to know the wife recently bought a vacuum sealer. I am going out of town for a few weeks, so 3 weeks in the freezer should work just fine.

that sucks, sorry to hear.

[white_s2k]

Wow, that really sucks. It can happen to anyone.. I might want to rethink my stance on freezing new shipments now!

[alley00p]

I bought a "grab bag" of sticks from a big online retailer last summer and in going through the bag I found 4 sticks that had beetle holes going through the cellophane and into the cigars. I immediately took all of the sticks and popped them in the freezer for overnight, just to be safe.

The other time this happened to me it was a box of Twist Robustos - 4 sticks had beetle holes in the cello and the cigars. The rest of the box was fine, and I called Rob to let him know, just so he could check the rest of his stock. Rob immediately replaced the bad sticks without me asking. And I continue to be a customer at Rob's shop, mainly because I know he stands behind his products!

I had not been a proponent of freezing cigars, but after reading Silverfox's thread on damage, I freeze virtually every box that I purchase.

[bonjing]

i'm not trying to stir the pot or anything, but when did you get these? I just some cigars from taboo a couple weeks back and i am a little concerned. i have never frozen any of my cigars, but i may have to try it out with a few now.

[alley00p]

Originally Posted by bonjing

i'm not trying to stir the pot or anything, but when did you get these? I just some cigars from taboo a couple weeks back and i am a little concerned. i have never frozen any of my cigars, but i may have to try it out with a few now.

I'm thinking probably last September. That being said, I've since ordered another box of Robustos, and probably 40-50 Limited Reserves since then with no problems at all.

Beetle eggs exist in almost every stick you might buy, no matter what brand or vitola; but they don't normally hatch if the cigars are kept at the proper temps and humidity. And, this isn't a problem with Taboo - it can happen in any cigar that isn't stored properly.

Check out Shawn's very informative post here

Don't worry - Be Happy!!!!


Charlie

[davearob]

I had the same experience with a bundle of HSG corona's a month or so ago. I actually found the little bugger still in the bundle. Only one cigar was lost. Froze the shipment and everything has been clear since. I will definitely order from Rob again. It just the damn exchange rate is hurting me.

[ECPrevatte]

Was your temp above 70's?

So far I have read nothing will happen if they are stored in the correct temp.

[Coz77]

Originally Posted by ECPrevatte

Was your temp above 70's?

So far I have read nothing will happen if they are stored in the correct temp.

I store cigars in my cool dry basement and never had a prob. The Humi never goes above 70°

[MTB996]

Originally Posted by ECPrevatte

Was your temp above 70's?

So far I have read nothing will happen if they are stored in the correct temp.

Not sure, but I doubt it (it hasn't gotten warm yet in NC). I have 2 Vinos that sit at 60-68F, but this was my room temp desktop. I suppose there is a chance the damage is from last fall or earlier (where the house temp would be likely higher than 70) but I would have thought I'd either seen it earlier or had more sticks affected.

[Mr Edmundo]

These types of posts really freak me out!!! With all the buying I've been doing lately, from so many different sources. I'm wondering if I should be proactive and start freezing everything. I would hate to lose a big chunk of inventory. I've been lucky so far, and everything is at 70 or less at all times. Most are stored in the basement where, if anything, the temps may be too low, at around 60 to 65. I did just check every stick while updating my inventory. Probably helps that I have them spread through 3 desk top humidors and 3 coolers/tupperware containers.

[Homebrewer]

Thanks for the heads-up. This is the kind of thing that keeps me awake at night. I just did a major inspection and came up clean. I have several Taboo cigars in different compartments.

[troutbreath]

Wow. That sucks. Good luck with your irradication process -- it's good to put the wife's new toys to work for your hobby! I'm wondering what mine would say if I took over the freezer . . . not a lot of space in there to begin with.

[goalie204]

beetle threads creep me out, but everything is in my vino, so its all 64 degrees, and 65 or less humidity, hatch free imo