The rise of the wind-tunnel?

[CaptainQuintero]

So I decided to crack open my box of OGA MAY 2011 QDO Sups today to see how they were and unluckily found the biggest wind tunnel draw that I've ever had. It got me thinking that I can't remember ever having tight draw issues with 2008+ production but I've had plenty of draws that have caused a cigar to be unsmokable.

I tried giving the stick a good squeezing while smoking to restrict the air flow but it didn't help much and still the only flavours were hot air, I'd honestly rather have a tight draw that this. I'd nothing the draw was a little too easy pre cut so used a smaller punch just in case but still the problem persisted.

Do draw testers in Cuba only test for cigars that are rolled too tightly and not the other extreme?

You can see the poorly bunched filler in the second pic.

Are you running into this issue more that you would like to recently?

edit-Hate the glossy version of the QDO band on these, the original on reg production is perfect

[CUBANO]

Sorry to hear this about your cigars. Have 10 left from the same date and code with no issues.

[Lotusguy]

I see the same issue - had a Superiores single that was just like this. Even the oh-so-fantastic Monte 520 has this problem: I had to go through two whole boxes at LCDH Stuttgart to find a single decently filled stick.

Boo!

[joeypots]

I have had lots of loose cigars in the last five years or so. A few stand outs, Monte Sublimes, loose but good. Trinidad Robusto T-way too loose for me.

[mazolaman]

Mainly the larger RG for me..on the few occaisions I smoke a 50, there are a few that end up with a flat end..yes, a more modern trend.

[mbrody]

Ugh oh. I just went through some QDO sups to select one for tonight and two out of three were mushy. I noted that a new box I just got had a few soft cigars as well. Last batch that were all wind tunnels where 08 HDM Epi 1s. Agree hat they annoy me more than plugged cigars...

[Schumi5]

I have definitely experienced an increase in 'wind-tunnel' incidence. The worst offenders for me have been a couple of boxes of BBF's. No matter what you try, the cigar burns far too hot with little to no resistance. Almost seems like an overcorrection to the plug issues that have plagued CC's in the past. Frustrating to say the least. The NC industry has it figured out and their construction and consistency is spot on. Not sure why the Cubans are so challenged by it.

[Guest rob]

I'm with Shumi - BBF have been really loosely filled in the last few years. This is after going through at least three separate boxes. I had a few that were entirely unsmokable and better used for pipe tobacco.

[Jnaube]

I had the same kind of episode with one Por Larranaga Beli 08 PCC. This cigar smoked so fast I finished it before my friend who was smoking a H. Upmann HC!!!

[CaptainQuintero]

Do you think we could organise a petition to HSA and ask them to bring back plugged cigars instead lol? At least those can be fixed most of the time!

[finecigar]

Yep I can add that I have been seeing an increase in these spongy loose wind tunnels.. Typically with the larger RG but sometimes mid RG... Have also has a box of Trinidad Reyes mostly all loose, than singles of Boli CGs, BBF, and a few others have had the problems for me.

[ramon_cojones]

I'd rather have one of these than a plugged cigar which is just unsmokable, at least you can restrict the rate of inhalation. However I find this common for some cigars rather than others I think that's why the discrepancy between some who have had this and others who haven't. BBFs I've had were mostly wind tunnels but the other brands I smoke are not.

[nikesupremedunk]

That sucks, but I can't imagine why anyone would want a completely plugged cigar over a wind tunnel. Both suck big time, but at least the wind tunnel doesn't make the veins on the side of my head pop out and want to slam it to the ground as hard as I can.

Last night I actually had a siglo VI that was loose. Like someone said, Trini Robo T's were pretty bad, and other 50+ RG cigars too. I smoke CC's majority of the time, but I really HATE the draw inconsistencies they have compared to NC's. Thin RG, draw is usually too tight. Big RG draw too loose. Rarely have any draw issues with NC's, but I don't like the taste. Sigh, first world problems.

[headstand]

I have definitely experienced an increase in 'wind-tunnel' incidence. The worst offenders for me have been a couple of boxes of BBF's. No matter what you try, the cigar burns far too hot with little to no resistance. Almost seems like an overcorrection to the plug issues that have plagued CC's in the past. Frustrating to say the least. The NC industry has it figured out and their construction and consistency is spot on. Not sure why the Cubans are so challenged by it.

Same problem with a recent dress box of BBFs. 60 to 75% of box was way underfilled. Some with obvious gaps between binder and filler. Hated those cigars.

[El Presidente]

Do draw testers in Cuba only test for cigars that are rolled too tightly and not the other extreme?

I hate to say it but plenty of "draw testers" are paid off by rollers to let things slide. It is a lucrative little business.

[headstand]

I hate to say it but plenty of "draw testers" are paid off by rollers to let things slide. It is a lucrative little business.

love these little tidbits of insider knowledge. Thanks Rob.

[polarbear]

I hate to say it but plenty of "draw testers" are paid off by rollers to let things slide. It is a lucrative little business.

That's disappointing but the insight is always appreciated

I too have often wondered why NC manufacturers tend to have a better success rate than the Cubans do. Is it a volume thing?

Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate refuses to use Draw testers in his factory arguing "if you know your cigars are being rolled correctly you dont need to worry about draw testing".

While Drew Estates production volume is far lower than Cuba I have to wonder as I've never had a Liga Privada that wasn't rolled perfectly

[CaptainQuintero]

I hate to say it but plenty of "draw testers" are paid off by rollers to let things slide. It is a lucrative little business.

Cool tidbit thanks!

[SCgarman]

An unfortunate fact is Cuban cigar consistency will never be as good as non Cuban cigar consistency. When rollers in Cuba average one dollar a day in salary compared to the very good salaries of rollers in Nicaragua and the Dominican, these things are gonna happen.

[mk05]

Bah who cares, those Superiores taste like hot air either way!

[CaptainQuintero]

An unfortunate fact is Cuban cigar consistency will never be as good as non Cuban cigar consistency. When rollers in Cuba average one dollar a day in salary compared to the very good salaries of rollers in Nicaragua and the Dominican, these things are gonna happen.

I don't think that's a valid point really, all things are relative. A roller in Dom will be working to feed his family and so will a roller in Cuba. Both people have to work a job to survive, the political system or economic beliefs of the middle men in either country are a moot point to the worker.

[Orion21]

I had a mostly plugged Monte Grand Edmundo last night. I have also had one so under filled is basically collapsed as I smoked it. The wrost offenders I have seen are the BHK's. They are almost always wind tunnels. Robustos also seem to have a high rate of loose draws, but I rarely get loose draws on 46 or smaller ring gauge. Just another reason to smoke long and skinnies . . .

[jazzbass]

I'd still take a wind tunnel over a plugged cigar any day !

[Schumi5]

Pretty unfortuante when we have to choose which poorly rolled cigar (loose or tight) we prefer! These are premium luxury products which we pay a premium price for. Maybe one day HSA will get its act together...

[CaptainQuintero]

I'd still take a wind tunnel over a plugged cigar any day !

It's just me by the sounds of it but I always find wind tunnels unfixable, eg the cigar in the OP I squashed at the band to less than a cm thick and still the draw was too loose. Also the whole flavour of the cigar seems totally out of whack as in there is way too much air at the ember so whatever flavours are locked in the tobacco/blend can't be released. At least with a plugged cigar the flavours can be released with dryboxing/freezer trick/draw poker.

Unless a windtunnel is opened up and rerolled then at least to me the whole cigars is lost, no matter how the draw is restricted by a hard hold, the effect where the ember is alight is the same as a badly packed pipe of tobacco; even if you half block the stem of the pipe, the badly packed bowl will still produce a crappy smoke