Back from Cuba...freezing Partagas 898s in box?

[BellevilleMXZ]

Hey folks, I have to freeze my cigars I brought home.. I have read about this on here before, but I am wondering about the Partagas 898s . Do you leave them in the nice wooden box? Maybe a dumb question but thought I better ask.  2days long enough?

Thanks

[clarkvstewart]

24 in the fridge. 48 in the freezer. 24 in the fridge and then back to humidor. Little longer process but it guarantees the kill as well as protects the cigars from the shock of the temp swings.


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[...]

Yep, take the full box, double ziploc bag and put in freezer

[Kitchen]

I had read that almost all cigar producers, including Habanos, freezes their cigars for this same purpose before shipment nowadays. 

[GrouchoMarx]

4 minutes ago, JoeKitchen said:

I had read that almost all cigar producers, including Habanos, freezes their cigars for this same purpose before shipment nowadays. 

Only the ones they export. If you buy them there, freeze them.

[BellevilleMXZ]

Thanks folks

[Kitchen]

Well, that is good to know!

[PapaDisco]

9 hours ago, BellevilleMXZ said:

Hey folks, I have to freeze my cigars I brought home.. I have read about this on here before, but I am wondering about the Partagas 898s . Do you leave them in the nice wooden box? Maybe a dumb question but thought I better ask.  2days long enough?

Thanks

Most Likely 2 days in the freezer is enough, but it depends on how cold your freezer is.  "Temperature acclimatized" larvae can withstand some time below freezing.  Now, most modern freezers are plenty cold, but it never hurts to check yours once and see just how cold it is.

The freezer times as they vary according to temperature are included in the Japan Tobacco chart:

 

Cigar Freezing Table Japan.pdf

[LLC]

information from my recent trip is all cigars are frozen but often customs that are made from raw materials end up in store humidors so I freeze anyway.

[Kitchen]

1 hour ago, LLC said:

information from my recent trip is all cigars are frozen but often customs that are made from raw materials end up in store humidors so I freeze anyway.

Either I was lucky or this is the case.  I had about 50 sticks brought in Cuba in my Humidor all summer, 4 different kinds, and my internal temps were around 80/85 in the heat of the summer. 

I find it hard to believe that they would freeze only those leaving the island and allow their own sticks to be susceptible to weevils, other then customs. 

[Smallclub]

2 minutes ago, JoeKitchen said:

I find it hard to believe that they would freeze only those leaving the island and allow their own sticks to be susceptible to weevils, other then customs. 

It's a well etablished fact: cigars for domestic sales don't go through the freezing process.

[Homer]

I also bought a box of 898 couple of weeks ago. I put the cigars and box 3x ziplock bag. Freezer 4 days and 1 day fridge. Then I just put the box to my cabinet humidor. I allways freeze cigars before letting them in to my humidor.

[El Presidente]

5 hours ago, JoeKitchen said:

I find it hard to believe that they would freeze only those leaving the island and allow their own sticks to be susceptible to weevils, other then customs. 

Believe it.

Different operations. 

[Kitchen]

2 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Believe it.

Different operations. 

Thanks, I will certainly keep that in mind for the next trip. 

[LLC]

It's a well etablished fact: cigars for domestic sales don't go through the freezing process.

My information on all cigar boxes being frozen came from a Punch Joe (Jose) in November and I'm not sure you could find a better person with knowledge of what is done in the cigar world in Cuba than him. I have no personal knowledge on it but that is what he said.


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[Fugu]

15 hours ago, PapaDisco said:

"Temperature acclimatized" larvae can withstand some time below freezing.

This is an important point to bring up. Larvae are able to adapt to colder temperatures and develop a higher cold-resistance in response to ambient temps. That is critical as many (me included) don't freeze immediately but cool sticks down in the fridge prior to actual freezing. This, however, theoretically counteracts to a degree the effectiveness of the following freezing step. On the other hand, I see the upstream cooling step as advantageous for making sure that cigars freeze more evenly and quickly during the following freezing step. Also, any surplus air moisture due to rH rising during cooling has more time to be adsorbed by the tobacco instead of forming traces of condensed water within the box.

So, my take on this procedure is, there is likely less stress done to the sticks by doing it that way. Adding a few days more in the freezer (<-18°C) should make up for the - perhaps - slightly enhanced cold-resistance of eggs and larvae. But that's just my 2cts, nothing scientifically proven....

[Fugu]

10 hours ago, LLC said:

My information on all cigar boxes being frozen came from a Punch Joe (Jose) in November and I'm not sure you could find a better person with knowledge of what is done in the cigar world in Cuba than him. I have no personal knowledge on it but that is what he said.

Should that indeed be the case then that seems having been changed recently. Doesn't appear completely improbable, but will then very likely only apply to "Habanos" (i.e. premium, export quality, so essentially goods that finally will end up being exported, too), surely not the product for domestic consumption.

However, as you say, the problem still persists even with purchases done on the island of goods from official sources (LCDHs), will it be frozen or not. There is a high likelihood of reinfestation during storage in Cuban shops after freezing. So, I guess the general rule still applies and should be adhered to: Freeze everything procured on the island. No exceptions, no risk.

[LLC]

Should that indeed be the case then that seems having been changed recently. Doesn't appear completely improbable, but will then very likely only apply to "Habanos" (i.e. premium, export quality, so essentially goods that finally will end up being exported, too), surely not the product for domestic consumption.
However, as you say, the problem still persists even with purchases done on the island of goods from official sources (LCDHs), will it be frozen or not. There is a high likelihood of reinfestation during storage in Cuban shops after freezing. So, I guess the general rule still applies and should be adhered to: Freeze everything procured on the island. No exceptions, no risk.

Totally agree, same way I look at it. No point taking a chance.


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[earthson]

I recently started freezing everything I receive, including regular production. While it's standard protocol to freeze everything being exported from the island, are we sure EVERYTHING that is supposed to be frozen actually is?

I err on the side of caution and give everything 3 days in the freezer. I don't piss around with the fridge before or after and have not had issues with condensation yet. I just let them off-gass and dry out at room temp before burying in the cooler.

[Zedman05]

I opened 5 different boxes at the LCDH in Varadero this past June that had beetles all over them. All boxes were from '13-15. 3 different brands of cigars, but still beetles. I normally would chalk 1 box up to conditions; stored too close to a humidifier or whatnot, but 5 boxes made me immediately come home and freeze everything I bought before on the island, inclusive of customs, as well as anything else I have got internationally as well. No point in spending all that time and money purchasing cigars, when it is pretty simple to do.

[Guest Robo]

3 hours ago, Zedman05 said:

I opened 5 different boxes at the LCDH in Varadero this past June that had beetles all over them.

Which LCDH did you get the boxes from?

 

Thx,

Rob

[Zedman05]

Which LCDH did you get the boxes from?
 
Thx,
Rob

Mall of America.
I would NEVER go back to 63rd, as I don't lie being ripped off and lied to in front of my face. The ladies at the Mall have always been helpful to myself as well as others I send there with a list.

[El Presidente]

On 12/4/2017 at 12:45 AM, LLC said:

 

My information on all cigar boxes being frozen came from a Punch Joe (Jose) in November and I'm not sure you could find a better person with knowledge of what is done in the cigar world in Cuba than him. I have no personal knowledge on it but that is what he said.


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I will ask him in a few weeks. If it has changed it would be relatively recently. 

[LLC]

I will ask him in a few weeks. If it has changed it would be relatively recently. 

Sounds good. I spoke to him around the middle of November and he seemed quite clear about it but double checking is a good idea.


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[BellevilleMXZ]

4 hours ago, Zedman05 said:

I opened 5 different boxes at the LCDH in Varadero this past June that had beetles all over them. All boxes were from '13-15. 3 different brands of cigars, but still beetles. I normally would chalk 1 box up to conditions; stored too close to a humidifier or whatnot, but 5 boxes made me immediately come home and freeze everything I bought before on the island, inclusive of customs, as well as anything else I have got internationally as well. No point in spending all that time and money purchasing cigars, when it is pretty simple to do.

Sadly the punch punch I got from there,last week, (ALO NOV 15) had a few holes on cigars on the bottom, but didn't find any live beetles. I inspected them but didn't pull out top layer.....what a piss off.