Plugged Cigars???

Volt · 03-29-2009, 08:58 PM

Ok - the last week has been a serious run of plugged cigars from many different locations. Tonight I tossed a AF Chateau Fuente SG. A jet engine could not have sucked air through that stick. $7 blown in a 1/4"... Is it possible to be doing something that would plug them or just my run of luck. I'm at 65%, maybe even a tad less. This is getting old and $$$ fast.

Tenor CS · 03-29-2009, 09:15 PM

I am in the same situation. I had a Seijas that was plugged beyond hope. And tonight I ditched a Partagas black that was plugged too. Shame, it had over a year of age on it.

Whee · 03-29-2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tenor CS

I am in the same situation. I had a Seijas that was plugged beyond hope. And tonight I ditched a Partagas black that was plugged too. Shame, it had over a year of age on it.

Those Partagas' are a pain but I love 'em, but, they do seem to have a tendency to plug.

Catfish · 03-29-2009, 10:42 PM

I bought 3 SLR Serie G maduros from 3 different B&M's and all 3 were plugged. i feel your pain about bein bitter about losin the $.

Smokin Gator · 03-30-2009, 06:44 AM

I had a run of plugged sticks a couple of weeks ago. That spurred me to order a draw tool from brother groogs. I haven't gotten mine yet as he was making a new batch, but I am excited to get it.

HK3- · 03-30-2009, 06:51 AM

Try this Michael-

-test your hydrometer to make sure it's reading correctly
-straighten out a paper clip and use it like a ram-rod to open up the cigar

That's all I've got man. Hope you get it figured out.

Volt · 03-30-2009, 07:07 AM

Well, I'm sorry to hear that I am not alone, but also still pissed. If I wanted a shitty cigar I would pay .75 and get a Phillie peach, etc. As with anything handmade, I do not expect perfection, but damn, this is getting unreal. I even hit one with a small shish ka bob skewer yesterday and it still wasn't smokable.

I hope we have better luck this week.

14holestogie · 03-30-2009, 07:35 AM

I use a Draw-Poker when I run into these problems. Sometimes it helps, other times not so much.

Try leaving the poker in for an extended period along with dry boxing. Sometimes has a good result.

TripleF · 03-30-2009, 07:58 AM

AF cigars in general are rolled a little on the tight side bro. Never had one plug, but thay are usually tight.

I did ATTEMPT to smoke my first PLUGGED RP Sun Grown on Sat. Had to toss is after 1/8 of an inch.

Oliva cigars are always good for an effortless draw.....

tsolomon · 03-30-2009, 08:46 AM

I have hit a number of what I called plugged cigars lately and have been told that there is a difference between plugged and over-tight. One would need a draw tool to fix as there is a physical obstruction that you might be able to poke through, but the other might be fixed through dry boxing. The theory is that they might smoke better if they are allowed to dry up. I just put 5 SC El Principes that have been tight to the point of unsmokeable in a dry box to see what they will be like over the next week or so. Today is the second full day in the dry box and I will smoke one tonight when I get home. They have been kept around 60-63% RH, the dry box is showing around 31%.

Volt · 03-30-2009, 09:15 AM

I might have to consider the dry boxing, but I have to. If a brand or line in a brand continues to be either over tight or plugged they lose my business. I shouldn't have to work to make what is supposed too be relaxing, be the way it should have been when purchased.

GreekGodX · 03-30-2009, 09:24 AM

Any problems I've had with cigars from a B&M they have gladly exchanged them. It cannot hurt to try. Local JR pretty much exchanges everything. Some guy bought a 5'er went out to his car and used a pocket knife to slice the pack open. In the process he sliced one of the cigars and they exchanged the whole pack for him.

ucla695 · 03-30-2009, 09:36 PM

Try a draw poker. I had to resort to a paper clip the other night and it worked decently.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volt

I might have to consider the dry boxing, but I have to. If a brand or line in a brand continues to be either over tight or plugged they lose my business. I shouldn't have to work to make what is supposed too be relaxing, be the way it should have been when purchased.

I prefer to dry box my cigars before I smoke them. I also test the draw before lighting up and if it doesn't draw well, then it gets more dry boxing.

Wolfgang · 03-30-2009, 09:38 PM

Paper clips work wonders :-)

Thrak · 03-31-2009, 07:22 AM

what causes a plug? I had one a couple weeks ago on a Series 'A'... I was disappointed. It clogged up in the first 1/4" like others have said. I even tried cutting it in half to try to solve it, but couldnt find the "plug" ...

03-31-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 14holestogie

I use a Draw-Poker when I run into these problems. Sometimes it helps, other times not so much.

Try leaving the poker in for an extended period along with dry boxing. Sometimes has a good result.

I use a Draw Poker as well and I usually put a couple of "pokes" into the cigar if it is really plugged. Just rotate the cigar a few times and keep putting the rod all the way thru,,,it makes enough of a hole and to test it just purge the cigar before lighting and see how much air you can either blow thru or suck in. Light and enjoy!!

03-29-2009, 08:58 PM	#1
Volt I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,799 Trading: (19)	Plugged Cigars??? Ok - the last week has been a serious run of plugged cigars from many different locations. Tonight I tossed a AF Chateau Fuente SG. A jet engine could not have sucked air through that stick. $7 blown in a 1/4"... Is it possible to be doing something that would plug them or just my run of luck. I'm at 65%, maybe even a tad less. This is getting old and $$$ fast. __________________ Curing the infection... One bullet at a time.

03-29-2009, 09:15 PM	#2
Tenor CS Feeling Better! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Christian Location: Davenport, FL (near Orlando) Posts: 717 Trading: (2)	Re: Plugged Cigars??? I am in the same situation. I had a Seijas that was plugged beyond hope. And tonight I ditched a Partagas black that was plugged too. Shame, it had over a year of age on it. __________________ When the world itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies?

03-29-2009, 10:42 PM	#4
Catfish ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ MO FUGGA! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: David Location: Lakeland, Fl. Posts: 1,707 Trading: (24)	Re: Plugged Cigars??? I bought 3 SLR Serie G maduros from 3 different B&M's and all 3 were plugged. i feel your pain about bein bitter about losin the $. __________________ 1: It's ALWAYS Loaded. 2: Do Not Point It At Something Unless You Mean To Destroy It. 3: On Target, On Trigger. Off Target, Off Trigger. 4: Be Sure Of Your Target And What's Behind It.Join The NRA

03-30-2009, 06:44 AM	#5
Smokin Gator Just plain insane! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Swamp Posts: 6,237 Trading: (106)	Re: Plugged Cigars??? I had a run of plugged sticks a couple of weeks ago. That spurred me to order a draw tool from brother groogs. I haven't gotten mine yet as he was making a new batch, but I am excited to get it. __________________ Check out the Cigar Asylum Newbie Sampler Trade

03-30-2009, 06:51 AM	#6
HK3- Cashmere Jungle Lord Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Boffa Location: The town so nice they named it twice Posts: 5,035 Trading: (48)	Re: Plugged Cigars??? Try this Michael- -test your hydrometer to make sure it's reading correctly -straighten out a paper clip and use it like a ram-rod to open up the cigar That's all I've got man. Hope you get it figured out.

03-30-2009, 07:07 AM	#7
Volt I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,799 Trading: (19)	Re: Plugged Cigars??? Well, I'm sorry to hear that I am not alone, but also still pissed. If I wanted a shitty cigar I would pay .75 and get a Phillie peach, etc. As with anything handmade, I do not expect perfection, but damn, this is getting unreal. I even hit one with a small shish ka bob skewer yesterday and it still wasn't smokable. I hope we have better luck this week. __________________ Curing the infection... One bullet at a time.

03-30-2009, 07:35 AM	#8
14holestogie Serial banter killer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tim Location: Clintonville, WI Posts: 4,341 Trading: (52)	Re: Plugged Cigars??? I use a Draw-Poker when I run into these problems. Sometimes it helps, other times not so much. Try leaving the poker in for an extended period along with dry boxing. Sometimes has a good result. __________________ *I loves me a Parti*

03-30-2009, 07:58 AM	#9
TripleF 11/11/11 EPIC IV Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 5,626 Trading: (176)	Re: Plugged Cigars??? AF cigars in general are rolled a little on the tight side bro. Never had one plug, but thay are usually tight. I did ATTEMPT to smoke my first PLUGGED RP Sun Grown on Sat. Had to toss is after 1/8 of an inch. Oliva cigars are always good for an effortless draw..... __________________ Cool Cigar Shirts, Stickers & More

03-30-2009, 08:46 AM	#10
tsolomon Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: The Villages, FL Posts: 1,246 Trading: (31)	Re: Plugged Cigars??? I have hit a number of what I called plugged cigars lately and have been told that there is a difference between plugged and over-tight. One would need a draw tool to fix as there is a physical obstruction that you might be able to poke through, but the other might be fixed through dry boxing. The theory is that they might smoke better if they are allowed to dry up. I just put 5 SC El Principes that have been tight to the point of unsmokeable in a dry box to see what they will be like over the next week or so. Today is the second full day in the dry box and I will smoke one tonight when I get home. They have been kept around 60-63% RH, the dry box is showing around 31%.

03-30-2009, 09:15 AM	#11
Volt I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,799 Trading: (19)	Re: Plugged Cigars??? I might have to consider the dry boxing, but I have to. If a brand or line in a brand continues to be either over tight or plugged they lose my business. I shouldn't have to work to make what is supposed too be relaxing, be the way it should have been when purchased. __________________ Curing the infection... One bullet at a time.

03-30-2009, 09:24 AM	#12
GreekGodX Opa!! Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Christos Location: 7 Line Posts: 4,894 Trading: (82)	Re: Plugged Cigars??? Any problems I've had with cigars from a B&M they have gladly exchanged them. It cannot hurt to try. Local JR pretty much exchanges everything. Some guy bought a 5'er went out to his car and used a pocket knife to slice the pack open. In the process he sliced one of the cigars and they exchanged the whole pack for him. __________________ "If I give a businessman 10,000 francs, what is that to him, he is rich. But if I give him a Cohiba cigar, that is style."-Hotel Rwanda

03-30-2009, 09:38 PM	#14
Wolfgang Back from the dead Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Tampa, Fl Posts: 2,541 Trading: (14)	Re: Plugged Cigars??? Paper clips work wonders :-) __________________ You probably wont remember that test you failed, but you'll never forget the girl you were with the night before, when you decided not to study.

03-31-2009, 07:22 AM	#15
Thrak .. the man from Nantucket Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canton, GA Posts: 558 Trading: (2)	Re: Plugged Cigars??? what causes a plug? I had one a couple weeks ago on a Series 'A'... I was disappointed. It clogged up in the first 1/4" like others have said. I even tried cutting it in half to try to solve it, but couldnt find the "plug" ...