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Draw issues

investandprosper

investandprosper

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2010
Messages
1,522
I ran into an issue which has scared me off of smoking anything in my humi until my new Vino is purged of its plastic smell and up and running (it's in the back yard right now).

I haven't had any draw issues whatsoever until recently. I noticed that the La Riqueza No. 3s went from a loose draw to a normal draw. But, when I tried to smoke a PSD4 and Punch Punch, the draws were so tight that they were not smokeable. I keep my cigars at 70% RH. Temps sometimes get into the low 80s, but are usually in the high 70s (hence getting a Vino). Would this cause the draws to tighten up?

My Vino is going to be at 65% RH, and will keep the temp controlled, so hopefully this will fix any draw issues.


Thanks for your input,


John
 
John, are you getting this draw problem fairly regularly or with certain brands, or with certain boxes? Any help would be appreciated.

Sometimes you just get a plugged cigar, and there isn't much you can do about it. Cigars are obviously rolled by imperfect humans, so once in a while you'll get stuck with a dud like the one you're talking about. Now, I know Tom always recommends this, so I will restate it so he doesn't have to: Try dry-boxing a particular cigar a couple days prior to smoking it. If you have draw issues, it's the cigar and not the humidity.

If you have a draw problem with several cigars from the same box, you may want to talk to the manufacturer. If you feel like the problem is spread across all brands, all cigars, and all vitolas, then it just might be a simple humidity problem. Dry box it, and if it's fine, then lower the humidity.
 
I'll try the dry boxing first. I didn't used to have to do that (although I did on occasion). The rest of the PSD4s from that box were fine, and the other Punch Punch I had was fine (I had two). The La Riquezas were all a firmer draw after a certain point. I think it may be humidity, but I wasn't sure if it could do that.

The draw on all of the cigars I've had in my humi were fine up until about a week ago, when I took a few out and put them in my Cigar Caddy to go golfing. The two PSD4s and the Punch Punch were tight. The La Riquezas were perfect, but they used to be really loose.

I few days later I took a couple of La RIquezas and the last Punch Punch out and put them in my Cigar Caddy to go out. Same result, tight draw on the Punch Punch and normal draw on the La Riquezas.

Two days ago, I smoked a Partagas 8-9-8 right out of the humi. No draw problem at all. Smoked perfectly.

Is it that common to have that many CCs with draw issues? The didn't appear to be too overfilled. I'll dry box them for a day or two before I plan to smoke them next time and will post the result.

Thanks for your input. And yes, the stache is epic!


John
 
I agree with Jon's advice 100%, to prove his point about duds, I recently had a Tatuaje Blach Ceramic Jar release kept at perfect 65% and 65F for over a year. I grabbed it from my humidor and went outside, I wouldn't say it was completely unsatisfying, but pretty darn close. You can't kick yourself all the time over problems with cigars, just most! ;)
 
Sorry to hear that abut the Tatuaje. I think dry boxing may be the ticket. Some of the best cigars I've smoked from my humi I dry boxed before smoking.

Can't wait for my Vino to be up and running. It's been hard getting the plastic smell out. Washed it down with baking soda and water, let it sit open in the sun with a bowl of baking soda in it. Today, washed it down with soap and water, and let it sit open in the sun with the baking soda in it again. I thought the bowl of baking soda wouldn't hurt. Rinsed it down with water again this afternoon and it's out there drying. Most of the smell seems to be gone.
 
investandprosper said:
Is it that common to have that many CCs with draw issues?
Click to expand...


Yes, in some cases.

investandprosper said:
I keep my cigars at 70% RH. Temps sometimes get into the low 80s, but are usually in the high 70s (hence getting a Vino).
Click to expand...


Could be all the beetle larva plugging the draw.
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Negative on the beetles, I cut the plugged sticks down. They were just tight.

Switching to a 65%/65F Vino today. Just finished getting the smell out of it.
 
I'd also suggest looking into finding an adequate draw tool to have around. Could be something as simple as a straightened paperclip. Better to have one and not need it, than need one and not have it.
 
I would recommend keeping your Cubans at a lower RH 60 - 62, seems they smoke better at that range. I have alot of friends that have many cubans and this seems to be their suggestion after years of smoking and experimenting.


Enjoy them smokes :)
 
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