Plugged Cohiba Robusto

[Jeremy Festa]

I had an incredible meal this evening and an outrageously good dessert, with fabulous company as well. So I arrived home, and thought a wee whisky and a CoRo would top the evening off just right. I selected a stick from a batch of '08 that have been stellar so far and it's almost completely blocked. Pretty upsetting. I chucked it and grabbed another and it's perfect. I have had cigars with a fair amount of resistance in the draw. This is only the 4th or 5th in a number of years that has been pretty much totally blocked. My question, I am interested to know, on average how many of your sticks do this?

Thanks in advance,

Jer

[LordAnubis]

I find a fair few Siglo 1 have tight draw or plugged. Of the two boxes ive had id say 3 or 4 from each box has been plugged and 3 or 4 tiger tight

[El Capitan]

I feel your pain. I have a box of RA Extra's and everyone so far has been plugged. Unfortunately it goes with the territory with Cubans.

[Smallclub]

How many on average? Zero. Why? Because I learnt to detect the problem. The appearance of the foot, the weight in hand, the touch under my fingers, the draw at cold… there are signs that do not lie…

[canadianbeaver]

We also sometimes find that a hard kind of "knot" in the cigar, usually near the band, is a sign that the cigar is going to give us trouble. We will give it a chance to improve. We keep a package of those long wooden pointy satay sticks in the kitchen, so we take a few for the cigar drawer. A shot down the middle often cures the problem. if a couple of shots don't do it, then, on to the next one.

[polarbear]

Ive had a couple sig VI that were plugged over the years

It happens

A friend of mine suggested putting the plugged stick in the fridge for an hour if ypu find ita plugged before lighting it. He reckons it causes the tobbacco to contract and open up the knot.

Dont know how much truth there is to it but its something to try if you feel you've got nothing to loose

[Hubba]

We also sometimes find that a hard kind of "knot" in the cigar, usually near the band, is a sign that the cigar is going to give us trouble. We will give it a chance to improve. We keep a package of those long wooden pointy satay sticks in the kitchen, so we take a few for the cigar drawer. A shot down the middle often cures the problem. if a couple of shots don't do it, then, on to the next one.

x2 I use the exact same thing as Lisa. Most often cures it, just do it gently as to not crack the wrapper and it usually works.

[jazzbass]

Found a great tool at a Calgary cigar shop. About a 5 inch long hollow tube sharpened at one end. Twisting and slowly inserting into the foot and then continuing into the cigar until the tube is approx 2 1/2 inches deep. Removing tube and small amounts of cigar's tobacco always clears up any problems I've had with draw issues. I wish I would have found one of these years ago. Always sad to have to follow this procedure with a cigar of Cohiba's stature but hey, Cuban cigars are still a handmade product with the odd construction problem.

[Jnaube]

I don't get a lot of them. When I do, I use the good old wood spike... It works wonders.

[cognacscotchcigars]

Found a great tool at a Calgary cigar shop. About a 5 inch long hollow tube sharpened at one end. Twisting and slowly inserting into the foot and then continuing into the cigar until the tube is approx 2 1/2 inches deep. Removing tube and small amounts of cigar's tobacco always clears up any problems I've had with draw issues. I wish I would have found one of these years ago. Always sad to have to follow this procedure with a cigar of Cohiba's stature but hey, Cuban cigars are still a handmade product with the odd construction problem.

Thanks for this info. Can you post a picture of this tool?

[CanuckSARTech]

Found a great tool at a Calgary cigar shop. About a 5 inch long hollow tube sharpened at one end. Twisting and slowly inserting into the foot and then continuing into the cigar until the tube is approx 2 1/2 inches deep. Removing tube and small amounts of cigar's tobacco always clears up any problems I've had with draw issues. I wish I would have found one of these years ago. Always sad to have to follow this procedure with a cigar of Cohiba's stature but hey, Cuban cigars are still a handmade product with the odd construction problem.

Agreed. I bought one of the Aeolus cigar spears from Cigarmony a while back. I've only had to use it twice maybe in the last few years, but it saves a cigar from being a throwaway. That said, if it can't be cured, pitch it and grab another.

[CanuckSARTech]

How many on average? Zero. Why? Because I learnt to detect the problem. The appearance of the foot, the weight in hand, the touch under my fingers, the draw at cold… there are signs that do not lie…

You check every single cigar of every single box you buy?

The OP is not necessarily talking about how many you've had to suffer through smoking - he chucked his, and grabbed another. I think he's talking about how often do you get one in your boxes nowadays.

[Wil]

You check every single cigar of every single box you buy?

The OP is not necessarily talking about how many you've had to suffer through smoking - he chucked his, and grabbed another. I think he's talking about how often do you get one in your boxes nowadays.

And his vendor lets him check the draw at cold. Extraordinary!

[Tarks]

And his vendor lets him check the draw at cold. Extraordinary!

Off topic, but this reminds me of a story a few years back. I was sitting in Partagas VIP lounge enjoying cigars with friends when this guy walks into the humidor with Abel. He was looking for Upmann half coronas. We watched him as he opened up approx 8 boxes, took a few cigars from each box and tested the draw from the foot of the cigar by placing it in his mouth. All of us were like, wtf??? After 15 or 20 mins he left without buying a single box. Abel was shaking his head. I can't believe the nerve of some people. On top of that, Abel put the boxes back on the shelf! From that day on, I never buy a box that has been previously opened. At least not at Partagas.

[Smallclub]

From that day on, I never buy a box that has been previously opened. At least not at Partagas.

Why? The foot will be torched anyway… and btw you put in your mouth cigars rolled and handled by people who did not always have had access to basic hygiene supplies…

[Smallclub]

And his vendor lets him check the draw at cold. Extraordinary!

… read the OP's question: "on average how many of your sticks do this?" He didn't ask "how many problematic cigars do you detect in each of your new boxes", did he?

And btw it's easier to deal with overfilled cigars rather than underfilled cigars… I've never had an empalmado (plugged because of a knot) robusto.

[canadianbeaver]

Love the new word, empalmado. Can use that in many circumstances - like my shoulder or neck too.

Well the lovely Siglo 4 I sat down to smoke tonight did not make it past 2 tries to save it. Into the fireplace it went.

Astalavista, baby.

[Colt45]

Why? The foot will be torched anyway… and btw you put in your mouth cigars rolled and handled by people who did not always have had access to basic hygiene supplies…

True, but if I knew, i still probably wouldn't want to buy them.

Dark and oily!

[sharks]

On average maybe 2 a year that cant be smoked at all. ie even after cutting them down again and again.

I think generally speaking I have been very lucky. The few that have been abit tight at first tend to loosen up eventually as

I go.

[nikesupremedunk]

I don't understand why CC rollers can't roll them as well as NC's. Although a lot of the NC's have looser draws, I'd rather have a wind tunnel over one that's completely plugged.

I took a chance on some '00 Party lonsdales and out of the 2 I had so far, 1 was unsmokably plugged and the other was barely smokable. You can tell right away after you cut the head if the cigar is going to raise your blood pressure by taking a cold draw. Never once I had one that had a bad cold draw turn out good.

I'm curious though, how can you check the draw of the cigar by sucking it thru the foot?

[CaptainQuintero]

Haven't had a plugged 50rg + cigar for over five years now, get the odd ones with loose draws and they get thrown into the dog walking box when I can chew the head a little and restrict the draw.

[mk05]

I've had a total of around 3 plugged cigars...then BV taught me how to detect the problem and how to bypass it, and now, smooth sailing!

[Jeremy Festa]

Cheers guys.

I was talking about completely blocked cigars.

1 to 2 a year is the sort of average I was expecting/hoping for, as it is consistent with my experience.

From box purchases, obviously.

[Guest rob]

Ayala's freezer tip has worked wonders inmy tighter smokes.

[Phillys]

Ayala's freezer tip has worked wonders inmy tighter smokes.

Where is that posted, I can't seem to find that trick