Cigar thread

posted by gut

On a related note, given that my humidor was probably @64-65%....I had same wrappers cracking when I cut them, still cracking even with a hole punch.  Some seemed to be a bit dry and smoke a little hot.

I mention it only because you read some preferences for 65% as being more flavorful/richer.   You wouldn't expect 65% vs. 70% to matter, but I could notice a difference.  65% could be superior for long-term storage, but you might always want 70% equilibrium before smoking.  I have no idea.

Mid 60s and below always seem to smoke hot and burn too quick for me.  The cracking didn't seem hugely different, though I've noticed when I get up above 70%, they do become a lot softer and smoke longer.  The actual smoke seems thicker, too.

posted by Curly J

Yea, link fail....

Talked to Jack Torano on Thursday at cigars. (Google that name) Met him a couple of years ago at Jungle Jim's. Very nice guy. In fact every 'big wig' I've met at cigar events have been cool. Well Jonathon Drew was kinda full of himself, but would take the time to talk to you...or about himself.

Jonathan Drew looks/seems like a total douche from a few videos I've watched. Doesn't surprise me.

posted by gut

So, by all accounts two Boveda packets should have been perfect for my 40-50 stick humidor.

I started with 69% packets, and every time I opened my humidor it dropped 1%.

After appearing to settle @64-65%, I upgraded to 72% packets.  Same thing, every time I opened my humidor it dropped 1% and seemed to stick at @65%.

Then I tried 75% packets.  Would not budge off 65% humidity.  So I added a third packet, and it rose pretty quickly to 70%.  It's settled a tick above that for over a day (without being opened).  My humidor doesn't leak, but Boveda says it's packets often maintain 5-6% below stated levels.  Whatever, hopefully this is a stable workout.

I think I have two 72% packs and it stays right at 68%.

posted by justincredible

I think I have two 72% packs and it stays right at 68%.

Creeping up toward 72% now.  2 packs should have been fine, but clearly weren't getting the job done.  Unless maybe I needed one on the top and bottom.

So I may be switching back to the 72%.  75% might still be worthwhile if things are drier in the winter.

posted by gut

Creeping up toward 72% now.  2 packs should have been fine, but clearly weren't getting the job done.  Unless maybe I needed one on the top and bottom.

So I may be switching back to the 72%.  75% might still be worthwhile if things are drier in the winter.

i've got 2 72% and a distilled water sponge, i can't get mine to stay above 68%. i'm honestly thinking of running a bead of caulk around the hygrometer cut out.

posted by j_crazy

i've got 2 72% and a distilled water sponge, i can't get mine to stay above 68%. i'm honestly thinking of running a bead of caulk around the hygrometer cut out.

I'm only using the packets.  My latest trial was two 75% packets, and it wasn't budging off 65%.  Put in a third packet and it pretty quickly climbed to 69% in a matter of hours, now about 72% after a few days.

My humidor is 40-50 capacity, and about 2/3 full.  Two packets was supposed to get the job done.  Maybe it's because they needed to be on opposite ends of the box, but I wouldn't expect that to matter.

I say put an extra packet in and see what happens.  They can be re-charged, so it's a pretty cheap option.

Curly's humidor:

posted by gut

Creeping up toward 72% now.  2 packs should have been fine, but clearly weren't getting the job done.  Unless maybe I needed one on the top and bottom.

So I may be switching back to the 72%.  75% might still be worthwhile if things are drier in the winter.

I never thought to ask, but how did you season your box?  And for how long?
 

posted by justincredible

Curly's humidor:

posted by O-Trap

It's a pretty aggressive flex, for sure.

posted by O-Trap

I never thought to ask, but how did you season your box?  And for how long?

I used the wipes and then left a cup of distilled water in it for 24 hours.  Then repeat.  And then I think I left the cup in for another 12 hours.

Never been an issue holding humidity.  The problem was I lost a little every time I opened it, and the packets weren't bringing it back up.

posted by gut

I used the wipes and then left a cup of distilled water in it for 24 hours.  Then repeat.  And then I think I left the cup in for another 12 hours.

Never been an issue holding humidity.  The problem was I lost a little every time I opened it, and the packets weren't bringing it back up.

Gotcha.  I thought you meant it was briefly spiking to where it should be and then dropping.  That could make sense if the wood was pulling moisture, but obviously, that would happen whether or not you were opening it.

They changed the Cigar event to tonight and it's My Father. Currently smoking a My Father Tabacos Baez. (Cuban Sandwich). So far, so good. 

Won another box tonight. Box of the My Father Cuban Sandwich which was my first stick of the night. I won 10 of them a month or so ago there too. It's a decent smoke and only goes for about $3.25 a stick at retail. My buddy said he found them for 50 some dollars for a box online.

I was a little bummed I couldn't make it tonight, but by the time I got home and took care of the dogs it was going to be pushing 6:45 by the time I got up there. So long as my golf league is over by September 12th I'll definitely come up that Thursday. Hopefully I can make it up once before then as well.

Had a Romeo Y Julieta Capulet tonight. It was pretty good. I think it would make a great golfing stick.

I've no real interest in cigars, save for the one time me and a buddy each smoked a stogie when we  were 20 - you know, just because we could.

So, last night I went to an intimate acoustic blues concert held in the parking lot of a busy cigar/tobacco place.  I did chuckle when they charged me a "one-cigar" cover charge ($2.50 for their cheapest one, since I don't smoke).

   Interesting experience, interesting dynamic.  With the exception of me, everyone in the crowd had an aromatic cigar lit with a nearby bottle of scotch or bourbon on a little table. 

I really had no idea that many nice-looking women smoked cigars, and the male-female mix was even.  But it was a friendly and fraternal bunch, and I did enjoy some of the different fragrances.  Thought I detected vanilla once and cherry another time.

I told the owner I remembered my father smoking John Rolfe peach-brandy tobacco 50 years ago.  She said they still make it, but blackberry-flavored seems to be in vogue today.  Interesting.

posted by Zunardo

I've no real interest in cigars, save for the one time me and a buddy each smoked a stogie when we  were 20 - you know, just because we could.

So, last night I went to an intimate acoustic blues concert held in the parking lot of a busy cigar/tobacco place.  I did chuckle when they charged me a "one-cigar" cover charge ($2.50 for their cheapest one, since I don't smoke).

   Interesting experience, interesting dynamic.  With the exception of me, everyone in the crowd had an aromatic cigar lit with a nearby bottle of scotch or bourbon on a little table. 

I really had no idea that many nice-looking women smoked cigars, and the male-female mix was even.  But it was a friendly and fraternal bunch, and I did enjoy some of the different fragrances.  Thought I detected vanilla once and cherry another time.

I told the owner I remembered my father smoking John Rolfe peach-brandy tobacco 50 years ago.  She said they still make it, but blackberry-flavored seems to be in vogue today.  Interesting.

Aromatics are for women and children.


... mostly kidding.  I do hate them, but taste is taste.  I do really like the smell of coffee, chocolate, and vanilla ones.  Don't mind being around others who smoke them.

Yeah, I know a few women who smoke cigars on occasion, and to me, it's cool as hell.

posted by O-Trap

Aromatics are for women and children.

... mostly kidding.  I do hate them, but taste is taste.  I do really like the smell of coffee, chocolate, and vanilla ones.  Don't mind being around others who smoke them.

Yeah, I know a few women who smoke cigars on occasion, and to me, it's cool as hell.

Lol.  In that case, I won't ask if you like your beer with orange peel essence and a slice on the glass. 

I did ask the owner if they had any that were Tim Horton's-flavored. 

On reflection, women smoking cigars goes against the grain for me.  That should be domain of manly men in drawing rooms filled with chairs upholstered with dark green leather, pool tables, and brandy snifters.   Yes, I'm a sexist dinosaur.  But, it's a thing, and I'll have to put it in my figurative pipe and smoke it metaphorically.   

posted by Zunardo

Lol.  In that case, I won't ask if you like your beer with orange peel essence and a slice on the glass. 

I did ask the owner if they had any that were Tim Horton's-flavored. 

On reflection, women smoking cigars goes against the grain for me.  That should be domain of manly men in drawing rooms filled with chairs upholstered with dark green leather, pool tables, and brandy snifters.   Yes, I'm a sexist dinosaur.  But, it's a thing, and I'll have to put it in my figurative pipe and smoke it metaphorically.   

 

Anyone have any experience with CAO Brazilia Gol cigars? Thinking of picking up a 10-pack, hoping my brother-in-law will split them with me.

I did order a few 5-packs yesterday, though my bro-in-law is taking 2 cigars from 2 of the packs.

5 Camacho Corojo robustos (all mine)
5 Liga Undercrown Maduro robustos
5 El Baton robustos

Cigarmonster has a 6-pack Camacho sampler that I'm also considering today. I already have two of varieties in the pack, but at $27 (normally $40) the price is very nice.

https://www.famous-smoke.com/best+of+camacho+sampler+cigars/item+53114