Are cigars dyed or not?

[CaptainQuintero]

Came across a really interesting video on youtube tonight:

Now I've never experienced this at all with Cubans and I haven't heard anything about Cuban cigars having anything at all added. This seems to be just NC related. I don't smoke NCs so couldn't give a decent opinion on them. Has anyone who smokes NC ever experienced this?

[Maron76]

Hey Cap, there are a few Rocky Patels I have come across that are dyed. I have heard of other NC's that are dyed as well but the Rocky's are the only ones I have personally seen and is why I wont smoke them anymore.

[CaptainQuintero]

Kind of shocking to learn. I don't smoke NC so it's never going to effect me but I assumed that cigars were held to a higher standard than this.

It's kind of funny to see that the guy says that NC are the best cigars in the world and that Cubans are only thought of as good because 'you can't get them'.....even after his dye discovery lol, but hey smoke what you enjoy!

[kiwirwe]

interesting video,i might go test some lol

[investandprosper]

Smithy, if you're ever bored in the humi, you should try this with some Habanos. MannyFresh volunteers his stash for testing

[khamy]

I saw this a few weeks back and it was a revelation to me too, saying that, there is definitely a few suspect NCs out there, La Gloria Cubana NC is unnaturally dark so me thinks it's a prime suspect too. would I smoke it still,hmmm probably only to finish my current sticks, and wouldn't purchase more.

On a different note,

I do enjoy watching His reviews,and they make a good reference point when exploring the NC world. I prefer CC's but it's great to have the choice to hit up a Fuente or Padron every now and then to mix it up a little.. Minus the dye of course

[Ghabanos]

Smithy, if you're ever bored in the humi, you should try this with some Habanos. MannyFresh volunteers his stash for testing

Lol

[docbp87]

I don't know if Bryan is a member here or not... but basically, his videos should be taken with a MAJOR grain of salt, as he only smokes/reviews cigars that he gets for free from manufacturers and viewers, and is considered something of a joke, or even jerk among his cigar blogging peers.

[MadMax]

I don't know if Bryan is a member here or not... but basically, his videos should be taken with a MAJOR grain of salt, as he only smokes/reviews cigars that he gets for free from manufacturers and viewers, and is considered something of a joke, or even jerk among his cigar blogging peers.

I agree 100%. This guys favorite cigars are Rocky Patel, enough said!

[Wil]

It looks like soiled toilet paper at the end

[khamy]

Hmmmm hints of barnyard lol.

[tmac77]

I have seen examples of dyed NC's. Recently had a Joya de Nicaragua that El Prez purchased at a local B&M here in Toronto. It was unusually dark, almost black. While smoking it, Rob demonstrated a similar test and sure enough a dark dye came off on his finger. Rob also confirmed that quite a few NC manufacturers dye their wrappers to give them that super dark apearance.

[Ginseng]

A few years ago, I personally corresponded with a manufacturer of NC cigars and they admitted that some sort of external casing spray was used. It could contain oils (for sheen) or tint. I don't recall who it was but it was not one of the major players. This is somewhere in my records...

Wilkey

[Bunner]

I saw that video. It is interesting and does create some debate. We should try a cc maduro and see what happens. I kind of like Brians reviews... despite the aforementioned reasons for him to be disliked.

[thechenman]

I've suspected this as well with NCs given the appearance of some of their cigars. I've only encountered this myself with one particular brand of cigars. Believe it or not, it was a Rocky Patel. A Rocky Patel Decade to be exact. It left brown stains on my fingers and my lips. Bizarre. Needless to say that was the last Rocky Patel Decade I have smoked. A shame too, as I thought the original release of this cigar was pretty decent. But it's been downhill since...

[Puros Y Vino]

I have seen examples of dyed NC's. Recently had a Joya de Nicaragua that El Prez purchased at a local B&M here in Toronto. It was unusually dark, almost black. While smoking it, Rob demonstrated a similar test and sure enough a dark dye came off on his finger. Rob also confirmed that quite a few NC manufacturers dye their wrappers to give them that super dark apearance.

Testify! Yes..that Antonao did give off some color. Had a RP Java..left coffee stains on fingers & lips.. Gross..

[Matt Day]

So I am wondering is it mainly maduros and the darker shades rather than lighter wrappers would be interesting to do a wide survey to see how dying goes in a correlation to price but I agree im not keen to smoke dye or newspaper or any rubbish in cigars

[rckymtn22]

I saw a Montecristo Sublime review a few years ago (can't remember if it was here on FOH)where dye came off the cigar onto the reviewers fingers. Maybe some of the other oldtimers on here or Smithy/ Rob will remember. I have not tied into my Sublimes yet so not sure if they are actually dyed.

[oliverchang514]

anyone here want to be our guinea pig and test this on a few cuban cigars? I'm wondering if it is "dye", or does the "wrapper" when wet, naturally give off some of the color when put against a damp paper towel.

Would be much appreciated.

[Ginseng]

Another thought to keep in mind. The natural colorants in a leaf are contained in the cells of the leaf. So if the cell walls are broken, by rubbing or crushing for example, then you will get color out. The thing I wonder about is whether maduro leaf is more fragile at the cellular level either by virtue of its ripeness or processing as compared to other leaf. I know that maduro process subjects the leaf to greater heat and/or time.

Wilkey

[SCgarman]

I enjoy Bryan's cigar reviews and I have even sent him some Cubans to review. A BRC and a RASS. He has the misconception that all Cuban cigars have hard draws and he clearly does not feel that Cuban cigars are on par with non Cubans. To each his own I guess, some of the cigar smokers in the US will never give Habanos the respect they deserve.

[goalie204]

i just took a cuban cigar i was smoking and wiped it on a wet paper towel like the guy does in the video, and nothin came off

[Rehman]

Before anyone else subjects their quality Habanos to these indignities, dyeing was a cheap trick of cheap tricksters during the "maduro madness" of the mid-Noughties.

In an article in the August 2004 issue of Cigar Aficionado magazine, Christian Eiroa of Camacho told writer David Savona cigars could be darkened by fumigating in a kitchen appliance like a "stove-top coffeemaker": "Steam comes into this one pot with the tobacco inside," Eiroa said. "The vapour leaks in and adds colour to the cigar." Cigars might also be dipped in dye of "food colouring or whatever", or have it applied with a sponge.

The article politely did not mention which makers did this, but Rocky Patel was infamous for it.

[kcheek]

..his videos should be taken with a MAJOR grain of salt, as he only smokes/reviews cigars that he gets for free from manufacturers and viewers, and is considered something of a joke.....

+1

Dyed NC= Some (fact)

Dyed CC= None (haven't seen one yet)

They dye them for marketing purposes. Personally I do not like a "black" wrapper on my cigar, so they don't appel to me.

I don't think his paper towel test proves anything because of natural oils. It would be good to come up with a test you could do at home that would give definitive results.

[mkz]

Following this thread with interest!

I saw a Montecristo Sublime review a few years ago (can't remember if it was here on FOH)where dye came off the cigar onto the reviewers fingers. Maybe some of the other oldtimers on here or Smithy/ Rob will remember. I have not tied into my Sublimes yet so not sure if they are actually dyed.

Regarding the sublimes that discoloured Robs fingers, heres the post but unfortunately the pictures are all gone: http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=92563

Chuck aka Tampa (RIP) made some interesting statements about this matter.