Can poor storage affect a cigar's draw?

[MontrealRon]

I have wondered for some time about certain problem boxes,

specifically ones with a generalized very tight draw,

to the point where every cigar is either totally plugged,

or so difficult as to hardly be worth the effort.

One example comes to mind, a box of '02 LGC MdO #3,

purchased in Varadero three years ago.

I had been looking for these for some time.

It was the one box they had, but it was displayed open in the counter.

The cigars seemed fine, but every one has been borderline plugged.

Is it possible that severe variations in humidity, or temperature,

can cause the filler leaves to swell, thereby restricting the passage of air?

And that even if later stored under excellent conditions,

this swelling can remain, at least to some extent?

Very simply, can over humidification permanently plug up a cigar?

What is your experience? Is this possible?

Yes, I know that dryboxing can save many tight smokes,

but my question is whether they can be tight for reasons other than poor construction.

[El Presidente]

  MontrealRon said:

Is it possible that severe variations in humidity, or temperature,

can cause the filler leaves to swell, thereby restricting the passage of air?

And that even if later stored under excellent conditions,

this swelling can remain, at least to some extent?

Very simply, can over humidification permanently plug up a cigar?

What is your experience? Is this possible?

Yes, I know that dryboxing can save many tight smokes,

but my question is whether they can be tight for reasons other than poor construction.

I suspect your LGC MO 3 have structural construction issues such as a twisted bunch caused by an inexperienced roller.

Tobacco is akin to cardboard. Wet it swells...dry it shrinks to a base point. If your cigars aren't drawing when stored at 55 or under RH for a few days.... they never will.

[CigarmanTim]

I had a box of Boli Gold Medals that just wouldn't draw. I clipped the cap and dry boxed them for 3-4 days at 55 % and they drew much better.

[Colt45]

  MontrealRon said:

Very simply, can over humidification permanently plug up a cigar?

I would say no. You could always try an experiment yourself. Find a cigar that cold draws very well. Put it in a tupper type container and humidify it to the point of

poor draw. Bring the humidity back down and let it stabilize. Check the cold draw again. Report back to us

[jay8354]

In my limited personal experience, I find that while over humidification will affect the draw, it simply cannot plug the cigar.

if it over humi, it will be hard to draw and hard to stay lit.

[n2advnture]

Over humidification is the single most cause of poor draws in cigars (in my experience, of course). The old 70% / 70 degree adage has done more to harm cigar smokers than help.

I would try clipping one of the suspect cigars and testing the pre-light draw. If the draw is poor, dry box it for a week (ie stick it in a humidor with no humidification) and see if that helps.

Additionally, test and calibrate your digital hygrometers twice a year as well as replace the battery one a year.

What humidification device are you currently using?

What is your current RH reading in your humidor?

~Mark

[Joker]

I have found over the years that tight draw / plugged cigars are due mainly to construction issues. By massaging the cigar pre light, you should be able to ascertain any hard or soft spots in the construction.

If there is a hard spot near the head or foot of the cigar, you should be able to clip more off to open the cigar. If it occurs midway or is completely plugged, ditch and pick another.

I agree with the last two replies that 70% humidity or over humidification makes it difficult to keep the stogie alight and also impacts on the draw (rather than plug the cigar).

I do store my boxes of cigars in a sealed container at 70%, however have a desk top humidor in which I keep my weekly smokes stored at around 65% RH.

This seems to give me a better overall smoke.

Hope this helps.

Joker

[joeypots]

I have found that young cigars have more draw problems, go out more, and tend to burn less evenly than cigars that have a few years on them.

MRN talks about young tobacco being hydroscopic, becoming less so as it ages.

I have had some very hard dense cigars draw and burn very nicely after they aged for a while. I have had plugged cigars, which is a different issue, that were never going to get better.

My $.02