Plugged cigars, what do you do with them?

[Notsocleaver]

@TheGipper has the right idea. Cigars will open up over time. I keep my unpleasantly tight cigars in a desktop with a boveada 49% pack. Some improve quickly, others don't. Being in a humid environment will increase your plugged rate. What is the ambient humidity in the room? I know that for me, I have to focus on moisture removal. I once found a cigar that had rolled behind my desk two months into the rainy season. The ring gauge had increase by about 50% and it was covered in mold. Most people would find a cigar that crumbled into dust instead.

[jwr0201]

Trade 'em!  Just be forthcoming with the problem. 

[Dave001]

wow I am shocked to see so many plugged cigars, keeping my humidity at 58-62 RH I have come across a few "tight draws" but never really experienced a "plug" that is so sad to see so ,many wonderful sticks there im guessing you probably tried to just poker the whole thing? massage for the knot? cut higher ? tough to say just toss it for those wonderful sticks just WOW

[westg]

Never had one here in Aus.....as we know all plugged cigars are sent to the US 

[garbandz]

I use a poker and save them,it is rare that I cannot make one draw.I pitch maybe 1 out of 40 plugged cigars ...........

Try this, put a bath towel or similar on a table and gently roll the cigar back and forth across the towel with your flat palm.

gradually push harder if the first go does not work.

you are pushing too hard when the wrapper splits.

[Sean3]

3 hours ago, TheGipper said:

First of all, you don't make a distinction between plugged and tight draw.  Probably most of theses are just tight/over-filled.

Too many bad suggestions here...don't pitch 'em, don't chop them up, don't start poking at them with a draw tool.

Just let them sit where they are for six months.  Then try the draw again.  By then, I bet you'll find many have opened up and are smokable.  The ones that didn't open up, give them another six months in your penalty box.  Then repeat the process.

After 1-2 years, most should open up.  But even the ones that are still tight after 2 years, don't throw them away.  I still have H. Upmann Monarchs from 2002 that are only just now opening up, and boy, am I glad I didn't toss them.

Thanks for sharing this info Mr. Gipper, I'd have not thought to do this at all...patience is not my virtue.

[Lotusguy]

I haven't had this many plugged cigars in my entire smoking career. I pitch them -life's too short.

[zeedubbya]

I have had quite a few plugged cigars but I believe I can work it out most times if it's a big problem.  Roll it between fingers and poke it.  I recall sometimes half boxes from 99-01 being plugged sometimes.  Maybe was buying fakes then who knows.   Used to make me so so mad though.  

Excuse my ignorance potentially but it looks like those were never lit?  I've found many cigars I thought would be plugged on the pre-light to loosen up and be perfect upon lighting and tugging on them a little.  I get it if you just don't want to go to the trouble if you believe it's plugged.  I will also add like others since I dropped my Humidors to 60 I have not had one plugged cigar.  

[clickbangdoh]

Welcome to Florida! Dry box is your friend, I keep mine around 65%, and put the few I plan to smoke soon in the dry box and pick from there. Have had few plugged sticks since switching to this method. I'd honestly stick all those in a dry box for awhile and test them out again later.

[Mycroft]

Happens to me sometimes also. I admire your discipline at not trying to fight with them. A losing battle with an overly tight draw is a miserable experience. Can you post a picture showing the end of the cigars. I'd like to see how tight the roll looks.