Vitty Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 It was finally a nice enough day to sit down outside here in Minnesota. I had purchased a long smokes sampler from a LFTH a few weeks ago mainly for the Trini Fundis. I am a huge fan of long smokes and had yet to try a CC. Figured the 58 degree weather here deserved a nice smoke. I have read great things about the Trinis and figured it would be a perfect smoke for my first ever CC. I got a lawn chair set up out in the sun and got a beverage and my iPad and sat down to experience a couple hours of heaven. I cut the lancero with my Xikar v cutter and fired the her up. Uh Oh!! Plugged! With the heaviest draw I could muster I couldn't even get any visible smoke out of it. Ughhh so bummed out! I am sure I just got a dud and they aren't all like this, but what a crappy first impression and now I only have 2 of the 3 Trinis left. I am a long time smoker of non Cubans and have several humidors all kept at 65% RH via beads and a digital hygrometer. Storage conditions are not an issue. I can't think of anything I could have done wrong. Must just be bad luck. Anyone else experience this with the Fundis?
partifan Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 Cubans are happier closer to 60 rh. Long and skinnies are known for draw issues, but for your first encounter with Cuba I would not advise Trinidads, they are way too subtle.
Dsc05eec Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 Bummer, I had my first Trinidad Fundi while on vacation a few weeks ago and thought it was one of the best smokes of the 30 or so CC I had. Bad luck on your 1st one. Hope the other 2 work out for you
Bolismoker Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 Definitely give them another go. Trinis are a great line, and the Fundi has always been a favorite.
jkljkl Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 Cubans are happier closer to 60 rh. Long and skinnies are known for draw issues, but for your first encounter with Cuba I would not advise Trinidads, they are way too subtle. I agree Andrew. The long and skinny's are my favorite size but there are definitely draw problems. Theyre getting better though. Dont be discouraged. And dont force a draw if its bad. Put it down for a while or dry box it and periodically check the draw. Maybe start with a couple of staples first. a boli rc or a D 4 tubo. theyve been smoking really well for me lately. And welcome to the darkside my friend!
Vitty Posted March 7, 2012 Author Posted March 7, 2012 Haha I couldn't get any smoke so i can't comment on the flavor.
Vitty Posted March 7, 2012 Author Posted March 7, 2012 Thanks for the 60% suggestion. I may have to invest in another humi just for CC's as I have several boxes on the way. NC's seem to be perfect at 65% so I don't want to change them. Thanks for the suggestions!
Guest airmikey Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 i have a box of 24 on the way and i cant wait ....and i to keep my humi at 61 - 65 and my stogs smoke beautifully.
Wil Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 Thanks for the 60% suggestion. I may have to invest in another humi just for CC's as I have several boxes on the way. NC's seem to be perfect at 65% so I don't want to change them. Thanks for the suggestions! I keep mine at 65%, then dry box for a few days before smoking. Works a treat but obviously won't solve a total plug.
Vitty Posted March 7, 2012 Author Posted March 7, 2012 I'm going to try dry boxing my next one prior to smoking, though I am a bigger fan of the grab and go smoke method I really hope these aren't that much work to smoke. I'd like to be able to just grab one when in the mood and smoke it right away.
Rushman Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 Don't give up on em! --- I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=20.631634,-87.070579
Dbone Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 I doubt it's due to storage. I've smoked Cuban cigars stored at 70%RH and at 60%RH, it's not like the ones stored at 70% are plugged. Do they taste different when stored at those marks, yes. You just had bad luck with a plugged cigar due to poor construction. Don't forget, Habanos suggest their cigars are stored at 65-70%RH as stated on the Advisory Notice inside each box of cigars. Although for long term storage most will suggest you lower that. I think Piggy stores his in the upper 50's.
Wil Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 Post removed by Moderator. Come on mate. Not necessary.
ramon_cojones Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 Come again? I read through it quickly and got the impression he was able to get some smoke out of it but reading it now at home I don't understand the point of this thread I guess?
Michel1968 Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 Plain bad luck... As others wrote, perhaps start with something more substantial gauge wise like a robusto (BRC, PD4, ERdMCC, (Petit) Edmundo) before turning back to the fundy's.
winelover Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 Nobody likes a plugged cigar. If it was from a merchant's sample pack and stored in good conditions, I would consider taking it up with them directly. Agreed you had a poor first impression, but as others have said, best way to get over it is lighting another cigar.
mk05 Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 Bad stick! Check the others from your 3 pack - is it hard in one spot but soft in another? bandless? who did you get it from? all very legitimate questions you should ask. Storage is absolutely not a problem. I've smoked freshrolls and cigars at 65-75%rh and they have all performed like a dream. In fact, I'd go as far as to say cigars taste better up to above room temperature and humidity (I bring my cigars up to around 75deg and 70% in my "ready to smoke" fridge, much more flavor than dry. try it!) - I believe the rhetoric of lower RH spawned as a result of (beetle mania and) tier 3 vendors, whose subpar products have caused most consumers to resort to keeping cigars at a lower RH to deal with the construction issues. I've encountered no more than 5 or so actual plugged sticks in my life, and they were all gifted or traded, with tier 3 vendor as their sources. Who knows, maybe I've just been lucky, but here's one that says play around with the humidity and temp to find your ideal spot! Everyone's different. Good luck on the next one
dB69 Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 Cubans are happier closer to 60 rh. Long and skinnies are known for draw issues... Just bringing out my personal opinion: I don't agree. 65-67 rh is the best and so is tight draw. I've noticed that NC smokers tend to like very open draw, so nice and firm CCs may feel plugged to some of them.
Cohiba Stevie Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 I see nobody has mentioned he used a v cutter to cut a cigar that has a ring gauge of just 40. If anything will restrict the draw, that will do it. V cuts should not be used on cigars with a ring gauge less than 50. Light another cigar mate. Use a guillotine cutter.
Vortigan Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 I see nobody has mentioned he used a v cutter to cut a cigar that has a ring gauge of just 40. If anything will restrict the draw, that will do it. V cuts should not be used on cigars with a ring gauge less than 50. Light another cigar mate. Use a guillotine cutter. This is an excellent point! And I'd also agree with the suggested alternative starting points of BRC,PSD4 and the like.Certainly try not to be too disheartened just now and good luck as you go
CanuckSARTech Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 I see nobody has mentioned he used a v cutter to cut a cigar that has a ring gauge of just 40. If anything will restrict the draw, that will do it. V cuts should not be used on cigars with a ring gauge less than 50. Light another cigar mate. Use a guillotine cutter. Great suggestion. I agree. It could have been this, or just a dud tight stick. Light another and enjoy.
Vitty Posted March 7, 2012 Author Posted March 7, 2012 This wasn't meant to be a review of the cigar in any way, though I see how some may have thought it was. I just thought it was worth commenting that the first CC I have ever smoked was plugged. Bad luck for sure. Appreciate all the suggestions. Will try a guillotine cutter next time.
nonameno Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 Hi Vitty, Welcome to the FOH! It's fun to see another Minnesotan in the crowd. I hope your second CC will be a wonderful experience that you can share with all of us. Thank you and best wishes, Curtiss
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