HU Mag 50 - wrapper issues

[earthson]

The Upmann Mag 50 used to be one of my favorites, but with this one I am currently smoking, I think I am swearing them off forever. The flavors are typically there, but the construction is typically not.

I have had more than half of the ones I've smoked (~100 or so) simply explode during smoking, often early in the stick and repeatedly throughout. Across numerous box codes, encompassing the years 2007-2013, the wrapper just seems to crack, split, shred, explode and otherwise contribute to a piss-poor smoking experience. I've seen it across different wrapper shades and thicknesses and I can't think of a single other CC where this happens to any appreciable degree, especially so damned reliably.

What's up with that? Any other people come to a similar conclusion or have other sticks in which this occurs?

[TheMonk]

I'm a big fan of the Mag 50, and the last three boxes I've smoked, all from 2014, have been spot on, both in terms of flavour as well as quality construction.

I'm currently expecting the first box from the 2015 production, to see if it holds up - I certainly hope so.

[Profmd]

Love the Magnum 50.

Have only had that problem once when I left one in my travel humidor by mistake.

Never had it with all the boxes I've gone through, taking them right from humidor and smoking them.

[Fugu]

Are you doing heavy dry-boxing pre smoking, RoRo?

[earthson]

Are you doing heavy dry-boxing pre smoking, RoRo?

Nope. Just pulling them from my Upmann humi. The only smokes I drybox are those that are too young (but I cannot resist) or any cigar when we've had an extended spate of humid weather.

Have not purchased or smoked anything after '13, so perhaps the tobacco has changed? I know I MUCH preferred the 2007-2009 batches as they were much more musky and weren't as fruity as the 2012/2013 vintages.

[Fugu]

Ok, then no idea. What you are describing would be typical of a cigar being out of balance moisture-wise - dry wrapper still moister filler.

[earthson]

Right. Maybe this thread should be "Cigar Problems that Plague you and No One Else!" I could start with this issue as well as the excessive tar buildup I get out of Fuente's Anejo line!

[mcease022]

I have a 2015 box - I will have to check the date and factory code, but they look amazing.

[finecigar]

RoRo, I have experienced this with 2012 and 2013. At least 5-7 sticks per box had construction issues, especially cracking at the head and center. I have since smoked those boxes, given to friends at get togethers, etc. I figured I was plagued with a few unlucky boxes, too. Haven't sampled any 2014-2015 as that experience made me so angry! I like to stick with the mag 46 instead where I haven't seen this type of issue

[mikemerry]

I smoked one today from 14. It wanted to canoe more than explode. I haven't had that problem except when I take a cigar into the cold.... If you need me to smoke another to double check. It's not a problem

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[maxcjs0101]

I think 2 of my friends had the same issue (cracked wrapper in the head) with a 2014 box but i forgot the box code.

[earthson]

RoRo, I have experienced this with 2012 and 2013. At least 5-7 sticks per box had construction issues, especially cracking at the head and center. I have since smoked those boxes, given to friends at get togethers, etc. I figured I was plagued with a few unlucky boxes, too. Haven't sampled any 2014-2015 as that experience made me so angry! I like to stick with the mag 46 instead where I haven't seen this type of issue

Yeah, I've never had that issue with the Mag 46! I'm not saying they don't exist, but I've never seen an underfilled Mag50. Maybe the issue is that the blend requires more leaves than can fit in a 50 RG? I know that doesn't make much sense, but this has been a head-scratcher for a few years now.

[Orion21]

I have a box of 10 2008 Mag 50's that have been the worst! The wrappers are so thin that they crack if you look at them the wrong way. They have been bland smokes as well. My 2009's, on the other hand, were amazing. It's just hit and miss before 2012 IMO. Cigars from 2012 and after have been fantastic, witha low percentage having open draws.

[cigarbreak]

Other than thin wrappers or that combined with being overfilled, I have a hard time imagining the problem being something other than something related to high humidity, or drastic changes in temp/rH from storage area to smoking area. I mean you did mention the tar build up on your Fuente's right? anytime i have had tar issues from my observations it comes usually from a one or more of these reasons., especially smoking a cigar that comes from high rH in a very cold environment, or smoking a cigar that is both overfilled and over-humidified.