Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)

[Blak Smyth]

Originally Posted by SteelCityBoy

Thanks Shane. I KNOW you have done your homework! Coffee seems to be your latest and greatest. You know what we need to try is a good cognac! A dark rich chewey smoke just sounds delicious with a cognac!

Honestly I have never had any kind of cognac, but I'm down to try it. Some people swear by it.

[SteelCityBoy]

Thanks for the advice Stephan. I have been smoking routinely for about a year now myself but am constantly trying to make out exactly what it is I am tasting. Well I guess just more smoking and time can help do the trick! Happy smoking to you!

[mkarnold1]

I just had this:

happen to a cigar that I was thoroughly enjoying. Needless to say, it was frustrating to lose the smoke with the first third having been so promising. I am wondering if there is something that can be done to avoid this, or if I did something wrong to cause the split, or if this is just something that happens once in a while.

[Ismith75]

Originally Posted by mkarnold1

I just had this:

happen to a cigar that I was thoroughly enjoying. Needless to say, it was frustrating to lose the smoke with the first third having been so promising. I am wondering if there is something that can be done to avoid this, or if I did something wrong to cause the split, or if this is just something that happens once in a while.

Humidity first and foremost...either too low or maybe a big swing. Cold weather also...don't know how cold it is right now in MN but I've had problems already with some cold nights in Chicago and its only October. Hope this helps!

[mkarnold1]

Thanks Ian, it was a new delivery, maybe that had something to do with it. But it's not cold here right now, kind of an indian summer. It was probably 65 on my deck at 9:00PM.

[Ismith75]

Originally Posted by mkarnold1

Thanks Ian, it was a new delivery, maybe that had something to do with it. But it's not cold here right now, kind of an indian summer. It was probably 65 on my deck at 9:00PM.

Most likely the humidity if they were ROTT. Always a good idea to let them adjust to your own humi for a couple weeks...but I think we all know how much easier that is said than done!

[mkarnold1]

New question: How do you deal with the cold and the possibility of a split like this? Knowing I will be facing this issue for the next several months it would be good to have some ideas on how to lower the chances and finish more good smokes. My first idea would be to keep my humi in the fridge and lower the stogies to 40* so that the temp change is not so drastic taking them outside. Any suggestions?

[deadrise]

yea it happens try letting them rest and if that don't work try duck tape works for me taste a little funny tho

[DaBear]

Originally Posted by mkarnold1

New question: How do you deal with the cold and the possibility of a split like this? Knowing I will be facing this issue for the next several months it would be good to have some ideas on how to lower the chances and finish more good smokes. My first idea would be to keep my humi in the fridge and lower the stogies to 40* so that the temp change is not so drastic taking them outside. Any suggestions?

Let the stick sit out in open air for maybe an hour or two might do the trick. The humidity will at least regulate a little bit

[CigarNut]

The bigger the difference between the RH of your cigar and the RH of the ambient environment (e.g., outside air) the more likely that your wrapper will split. This is an even bigger problem for cigars with fragile (thin) wrappers (e.g., Connecticut).

If you know you are going to be smoking in a lower RH, then you should dry box a few cigars and have them ready. It can take several days (or more) for the RH of the cigars to drop.

[irratebass]

New question:

Can you put different flavored or infused cigars together or do I have to put each bundle or so into separate tupadors or humis?

[Blak Smyth]

Originally Posted by irratebass

New question:

Can you put different flavored or infused cigars together or do I have to put each bundle or so into separate tupadors or humis?

Honestly I wouldn't worry to much about putting them together.
I know a guy that has had infused in a humidor with non-infused for almost a year (on different shelves) and has not had any noticeable issues. I know everybody says not to and I personally wouldn't but the one person I know who has been doing this has had no issues.
I would imagine you should be fine, only one way to know for sure.
Besides if they mix you could end up with fruit punch

[DaBear]

Originally Posted by irratebass

New question:

Can you put different flavored or infused cigars together or do I have to put each bundle or so into separate tupadors or humis?

I don't believe it makes much to any difference as long as you're not mixing flavored/infused cigars with traditional cigars.

That said, I've never done it so I'm no expert on it, but I've never had someone complain at work that their infused cigars tasted very similar because they were placed next to each other in the humi.

[jjirons69]

Unless you want a mixture of flavors, segregate the infused from normal cigars. Probably best to use a cheap tupperdor with infused smokes. Also, probably best to keep each 'flavor' in a separate tupperdor to prevent mixing the flavors.

Originally Posted by irratebass

New question:

Can you put different flavored or infused cigars together or do I have to put each bundle or so into separate tupadors or humis?

Originally Posted by jjirons69

Unless you want a mixture of flavors, segregate the infused from normal cigars. Probably best to use a cheap tupperdor with infused smokes. Also, probably best to keep each 'flavor' in a separate tupperdor to prevent mixing the flavors.

Having a crapton of infused, and some flavored, I can say for sure that having them in the same container with regular cigars does impart some flavor on the regulars...at least on initial light up. I guess some of the scent gets into the foot.

I've read that you'll get more scent/flavor transfer if the wrappers are touching (even on normal cigars - especially oily ones), and since most of the sweet flavor on Acids (for example) is in the wrapper, I certainly wouldn't want different flavors/infusions to touch regular cigars.

IMHO, anything cherry needs it's own box. That scent just hangs on everything. Yuk!

I mix my acids in the same box, but I'll keep my fiance's flavored at very least divided, if not in a different box if I have the space.

[irratebass]

Thanks guys, I have a bundle of Trader Jacks and was going to put them in a separate tupperware container, but was just wondering if I went and bought some Acids or Java or any other flavored or infused sticks if they would be ok together in the same container NOT in my humis with my other ones.....so I guess they will be ok.

[DaBear]

Originally Posted by irratebass

Thanks guys, I have a bundle of Trader Jacks and was going to put them in a separate tupperware container, but was just wondering if I went and bought some Acids or Java or any other flavored or infused sticks if they would be ok together in the same container NOT in my humis with my other ones.....so I guess they will be ok.

They should be fine, but leave them in their cello to minimize contact, thats where the most flavor transfer will end up happening.

[T.G]

FWIW, at the Drew Estates factory, there are three storage areas for completed cigars, one for all ACID products, one for all coffee based infusions, and finally, one for non-infused cigars. Each of the storage areas has sealed walls and independant ventelation so that no mingling of the aromas occurs.

Just something to think about before you mix loose Java and ACIDs in the same humidor/tupperware.

[irratebass]

Originally Posted by DaBear

They should be fine, but leave them in their cello to minimize contact, thats where the most flavor transfer will end up happening.

Well they came in bag...I am sure they are not in cellos, I haven't opened them yet (been in the freezer), but I could just stick them in a separate baggie I guess...here is a pic so you have an idea of what I am talking about.

[Blak Smyth]

Originally Posted by T.G

FWIW, at the Drew Estates factory, there are three storage areas for completed cigars, one for all ACID products, one for all coffee based infusions, and finally, one for non-infused cigars. Each of the storage areas has sealed walls and independant ventelation so that no mingling of the aromas occurs.

Just something to think about before you mix loose Java and ACIDs in the same humidor/tupperware.