Are Cigars Sometimes Dyed – Or Not?

[WittyUserName]

^^

[dwoodward]

Originally Posted by bobarian

From Steve Saka of Drew Estate.

http://www.socialcigar.com/forum/top...duro-leaf-from

This is probably one of the best articles I have read in a long time... And very relavent to the topic:

Originally Posted by Steve Saka

From the Article.

Just having some dark stains come off the wrapper alone is -NOT- a fair
indicator, because all natural maduro wrappers will cause staining to
the skin with moisture due to their inherent oiliness. If you ever have
to opportunity to visit a cigar factory, just look at the hands of the
workers, unlike the manicure perfect hands shown in the pictures in
magazines and books, every worker's hands are stained, even those
working with BW color shade leaf. And those rolling maduro, their hands
are sometime near black!

[T.G]

Originally Posted by dwoodward

This is probably one of the best articles I have read in a long time... And very relavent to the topic:

Yes.

Here are some photos I shot at the Drew Estates factory last year. Notice the rollera's fingers? And the accumulation of oils on the metal table and pipe roller (for flattening out the veins in the capa).

[WittyUserName]

Nice pictures, seeing this in person is on my bucket list.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by WittyUserName

Nice pictures, seeing this in person is on my bucket list.

Thanks.

It's well worth it.

Meeting cigar manufacturers and makers at an event is one thing. Spending a few entire days with them at their factory and their farms is a whole different experience. The grips and grins events don't even come close.

[T.G]

I couldn't find any decent photos of light shade cigars being rolled, but here's a few more on the oil transfer issues:



This is a bunchero at the Padron factory. Notice the staining on his thumb and fingertips. No manufacturer would ever waste the time, manpower or money to dye filler.



This wooden mold is from Pepin's My Father factory. All that staining is from dark wet capote (binder) leaves. Again, no one would dye a binder.



Rollera at the My Father factory.



Sorting table at Drew Estates. Check out the cardboard under the capa leaves and her hands. Those leaves haven't even really been wet down much yet. They have only just enough moisture to make them barely pliable.



JdN's being rolled.

[kaelaria]

Cool shots!

Any pics of dying?

[T.G]

Originally Posted by kaelaria

Cool shots!

Any pics of dying?

I saw an off duty guard using a can of black Lincoln wax on his shoes. Does that count?



Nah, no tobacco dying that I saw.

[wayner123]

Originally Posted by T.G

I saw an off duty guard using a can of black Lincoln wax on his shoes. Does that count?



Nah, no tobacco dying that I saw.

Thanks for all the pics. From growing up around tobacco farming, I know the hazards that can come from working with it.

After reading the Steve Saka link, I am still a bit confused. Do certain manuf. dye their cigars? I am asking you T.G because you seem to have the knowledge.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by wayner123

After reading the Steve Saka link, I am still a bit confused. Do certain manuf. dye their cigars? I am asking you T.G because you seem to have the knowledge.

Saka already covered that in his commentary - 3rd paragraph:

First off, on this topic - yes some manufacturers have in the past and
still do manipulate their maduro leaf to achieve a darker, more even
color, ...

[kaelaria]

Alex Svenson of cigar.com also confirmed yesterday that it is still done.

[Aporschaguy]

Originally Posted by hotreds

Early on I smoked a dyed one and it kinda scared me how my lips were turning brown, as was my saliva! Indeed, kinda gross! And, adds nothing to the cigar except maybe a good look.

Man that sounds horrible. Why would anyone want to smoke such an abomination....

[alfredo_buscatti]

I've read several articles by Steve Saka of Drew Estate, and all have been quite informative.

Here is a link about maduros by him that touches on maduro dyeing.

http://tobacconistuniversity.org/blog/?p=1656

[longknocker]

Thanks For Sharing, Guys! Very Informative!

[Tbagley]

Something about the mineral oil posted comment just bothers me a bit, as I really don't think I want to burn that too much.