Cigars in freezer for years

BigCat · 10-11-2010, 09:19 AM

So I arrived to work today to find a box of unopened H. Upmann dominicans on my desk chair. A friend of mine at work who gave up the hobby a while ago said he found them in the back of his freezer, where they have been for at least 5 years. The box was kept in a ziplock back and the plastic wrap was still on the box. The cigars are in cello. What are the chances these are any good? I know the answer is to smoke one and see, but I just thought I'd throw it out there and see if anyone has had a similar experience.

14holestogie · 10-11-2010, 09:23 AM

My guess would be they'd be dried out, but.......

smoke one and see.

357 · 10-11-2010, 09:28 AM

Any feezer burn, or cigars with ice crystals on them? Just curious.

hammondc · 10-11-2010, 09:28 AM

Send them to me and I will let you know.

Seriously, just smoke a few. Great score though.

CigarNut · 10-11-2010, 09:32 AM

I hope that he acclimated them slowly to room temperature (putting them in the fridge) rather than just taking them out to room temperature...

BigCat · 10-11-2010, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 357

Any feezer burn, or cigars with ice crystals on them? Just curious.

Not that I can see, but I didn't ask. I didn't want to grill him too hard. I'll bring a few with me if I'm able to make it tomorrow to the herf for inspection and burning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammondc

Send them to me and I will let you know.

Walked right into that one

Quote:

Originally Posted by CigarNut

I hope that he acclimated them slowly to room temperature (putting them in the fridge) rather than just taking them out to room temperature...

I don't think that he did. I've only taken one out of the box and cello at this point, but there does not appear to be any splitting from what I can see on top.

10-11-2010, 12:00 PM

If I were you, I'd have at least 5 after a 2 week minimum in the humidor to gauge the average quality, there will always be 1 fail in a box at least, from my experience anyway

wayner123 · 10-11-2010, 12:05 PM

Good news is that if there were any beetles, those suckers sure are dead now!

T.G · 10-11-2010, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayner123

Good news is that if there were any beetles, those suckers sure are dead now!

As long as the box & cigars don't have that "refigerator/freezer odor", which could permeate your other cigars and damage them, I would just toss them in a humidor for a month or two to stabilize and then smoke one. The box might have the odor, so I'd check it carefully, and maybe leave it out if necessary. Maybe you have to bring them back in a seperate tupperware if they have any of that freezer odor, but other than that, I figure that the worst that can happen once they re-acclimate is that it tastes bad.

shilala · 10-11-2010, 01:05 PM

If the bag was good, they couldn't dry out. I'd leave them in the bag for a good while and let them get their sh1t together and give them a shot.

BigCat · 10-11-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.G

As long as the box & cigars don't have that "refigerator/freezer odor", which could permeate your other cigars and damage them, I would just toss them in a humidor for a month or two to stabilize and then smoke one. The box might have the odor, so I'd check it carefully, and maybe leave it out if necessary. Maybe you have to bring them back in a seperate tupperware if they have any of that freezer odor, but other than that, I figure that the worst that can happen once they re-acclimate is that it tastes bad.

The bag and the plastic wrap on the box definitely have that freezer smell. I don't think the box and cigars do, but I'm still in my office with the bag and plastic wrap, so I'll need to smell them when I get home. If it smells ok, I figure I'll toss the box into the cooler and see how things go. I agree that the worst-case scenario isn't all that bad - they were a gift, after all. I may even spark one tonight just for sh!ts and giggles. The one I took out of the cello really looks and feels fine. I'll report back if I do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shilala

If the bag was good, they couldn't dry out. I'd leave them in the bag for a good while and let them get their sh1t together and give them a shot.

Too late. I took them out of the bag before I made the first post. Oops. So far I'm not seeing any splitting or ill effects. I guess we'll see.

neoflex · 10-11-2010, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 357

Any feezer burn, or cigars with ice crystals on them? Just curious.

That's not freezer burn thats Mold.

Couldn't resist.

Ender · 10-11-2010, 04:27 PM

Bring one to the Fuse herf tomorrow Collin and smoke it with Mike and I.

RGD. · 10-11-2010, 07:36 PM

In another post at an old home I posted about a handful of cigars that I had forgot and left in the freezer for almost a year.

No ill effects and they smoked just like they were never frozen.

As long as they were sealed it really doesn't matter if they were in the freezer for a week or years. Frozen is frozen.

Also people need to remember that just about all items placed in a freezer have an extremely high moisture content. Cigars don't. When I was doing a bunch of testing years ago (and my freezer is set to it's coldest setting), I have pulled cigars out and light them up immediately. Zero cracking, splits, etc. I lit them at various times, cut them open, twisted them, etc etc. Again keep in mind that cigars have a very low moisture content.

Anyway - toss them in your cooler and light them up when your ready.

Ron

Louistogies · 10-12-2010, 12:34 AM

Sounds interesting. I think it might just taste odd but who knows.

nick2021 · 10-12-2010, 12:39 AM

Think I read somewhere that somebody frooze all of his cigars for a long period of time...trying to think where I saw that, but it's not the first time I've heard of cigars being frozen for so long

sikk50 · 10-12-2010, 01:38 AM

I smoked a cigar that had been in a freezer for a year or so. Wasn't bad

BigCat · 10-12-2010, 05:51 AM

Well my curiousity got the best of me and I sparked one last night. I didn't have time to smoke the whole thing, but I smoked about half of it. I didn't notice any problems at all. It smoked great. It burned even - no need for any touch ups. There was no freezer taste. And as my wife said when I asked her to smell the box for freezer smell, "it just smells like cigars." I'm pretty impressed actually. My only complaint is that it was a little mild for my taste for that time of night, but for an earlier day smoke, these will do nicely - especially at free.

BigCat · 10-12-2010, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGD.

In another post at an old home I posted about a handful of cigars that I had forgot and left in the freezer for almost a year.

No ill effects and they smoked just like they were never frozen.

As long as they were sealed it really doesn't matter if they were in the freezer for a week or years. Frozen is frozen.

Also people need to remember that just about all items placed in a freezer have an extremely high moisture content. Cigars don't. When I was doing a bunch of testing years ago (and my freezer is set to it's coldest setting), I have pulled cigars out and light them up immediately. Zero cracking, splits, etc. I lit them at various times, cut them open, twisted them, etc etc. Again keep in mind that cigars have a very low moisture content.

Anyway - toss them in your cooler and light them up when your ready.

Ron

Looks like we had the same experience. I find this very interesting. I know it has to halt the aging process in its tracks, but that could have some merit with certain cigars.

Louistogies · 10-12-2010, 12:21 PM

After all that time. That's pretty cool.

10-11-2010, 09:19 AM	#1
BigCat My back is now unwatched. Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Colin Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 723 Trading: (5)	Cigars in freezer for years So I arrived to work today to find a box of unopened H. Upmann dominicans on my desk chair. A friend of mine at work who gave up the hobby a while ago said he found them in the back of his freezer, where they have been for at least 5 years. The box was kept in a ziplock back and the plastic wrap was still on the box. The cigars are in cello. What are the chances these are any good? I know the answer is to smoke one and see, but I just thought I'd throw it out there and see if anyone has had a similar experience. __________________ "Now, I don't approve of dissipation, and I don't indulge in it either; but I haven't a particle of confidence in a man who has no redeeming petty vices." Mark Twain

10-11-2010, 09:23 AM	#2
14holestogie Serial banter killer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tim Location: Clintonville, WI Posts: 4,341 Trading: (52)	Re: Cigars in freezer for years My guess would be they'd be dried out, but....... smoke one and see. __________________ *I loves me a Parti*

10-11-2010, 09:28 AM	#3
357 Will herf for food Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mike Location: Home is where I park it Posts: 4,075 Trading: (9)	Re: Cigars in freezer for years Any feezer burn, or cigars with ice crystals on them? Just curious. __________________ “Eating and sleeping are the only activities that should be allowed to interrupt a man's enjoyment of his cigar;” Mark Twain

10-11-2010, 09:28 AM	#4
hammondc Moar Padrons! Join Date: Aug 2010 First Name: Chip Location: Senoia, GA Posts: 2,626 Trading: (17)	Re: Cigars in freezer for years Send them to me and I will let you know. Seriously, just smoke a few. Great score though.

10-11-2010, 09:32 AM	#5
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,042 Trading: (111*)	Re: Cigars in freezer for years I hope that he acclimated them slowly to room temperature (putting them in the fridge) rather than just taking them out to room temperature... __________________ 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.

10-11-2010, 12:00 PM	#7
gijoey959 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Cigars in freezer for years If I were you, I'd have at least 5 after a 2 week minimum in the humidor to gauge the average quality, there will always be 1 fail in a box at least, from my experience anyway

10-11-2010, 12:05 PM	#8
wayner123 Country Gentleman Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Deltona, FL Posts: 2,351 Trading: (159)	Re: Cigars in freezer for years Good news is that if there were any beetles, those suckers sure are dead now! __________________ 'It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarrelling.'

10-11-2010, 01:05 PM	#10
shilala Dear Lord, Thank You. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Posts: 13,721 Trading: (252)	Re: Cigars in freezer for years If the bag was good, they couldn't dry out. I'd leave them in the bag for a good while and let them get their sh1t together and give them a shot. __________________

10-11-2010, 04:27 PM	#13
Ender Ok, maybe just one. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Andrew Location: Michigan Posts: 771 Trading: (1)	Re: Cigars in freezer for years Bring one to the Fuse herf tomorrow Collin and smoke it with Mike and I. __________________ You can't talk your way out of problems you behave yourself into.

10-11-2010, 07:36 PM	#14
RGD. God Like Status Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ron Location: Alexandria, Virginia Posts: 971 Trading: (1)	Re: Cigars in freezer for years In another post at an old home I posted about a handful of cigars that I had forgot and left in the freezer for almost a year. No ill effects and they smoked just like they were never frozen. As long as they were sealed it really doesn't matter if they were in the freezer for a week or years. Frozen is frozen. Also people need to remember that just about all items placed in a freezer have an extremely high moisture content. Cigars don't. When I was doing a bunch of testing years ago (and my freezer is set to it's coldest setting), I have pulled cigars out and light them up immediately. Zero cracking, splits, etc. I lit them at various times, cut them open, twisted them, etc etc. Again keep in mind that cigars have a very low moisture content. Anyway - toss them in your cooler and light them up when your ready. Ron

10-12-2010, 12:34 AM	#15
Louistogies Area Fumado Join Date: Oct 2010 First Name: Louis Location: CA Posts: 474 Trading: (26)	Re: Cigars in freezer for years Sounds interesting. I think it might just taste odd but who knows.

10-12-2010, 12:39 AM	#16
nick2021 Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 436 Trading: (17)	Re: Cigars in freezer for years Think I read somewhere that somebody frooze all of his cigars for a long period of time...trying to think where I saw that, but it's not the first time I've heard of cigars being frozen for so long __________________ It's one thing to be stupid, it's dangerous for a stupid person to think he's smart!

10-12-2010, 01:38 AM	#17
sikk50 Just Bored Really... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Andrew Location: The Jefferson State Posts: 2,084 Trading: (13)	Re: Cigars in freezer for years I smoked a cigar that had been in a freezer for a year or so. Wasn't bad __________________ "Not a Headache in a Hogshead"

10-12-2010, 05:51 AM	#18
BigCat My back is now unwatched. Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Colin Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 723 Trading: (5)	Re: Cigars in freezer for years Well my curiousity got the best of me and I sparked one last night. I didn't have time to smoke the whole thing, but I smoked about half of it. I didn't notice any problems at all. It smoked great. It burned even - no need for any touch ups. There was no freezer taste. And as my wife said when I asked her to smell the box for freezer smell, "it just smells like cigars." I'm pretty impressed actually. My only complaint is that it was a little mild for my taste for that time of night, but for an earlier day smoke, these will do nicely - especially at free. __________________ "Now, I don't approve of dissipation, and I don't indulge in it either; but I haven't a particle of confidence in a man who has no redeeming petty vices." Mark Twain

10-12-2010, 12:21 PM	#20
Louistogies Area Fumado Join Date: Oct 2010 First Name: Louis Location: CA Posts: 474 Trading: (26)	Re: Cigars in freezer for years After all that time. That's pretty cool.