Cigar freezing technique

[Shelby07]

16 minutes ago, Tonyontop said:

 

Just to clarify: Does Rob freeze all cigars sold on FOH? 

From what I have read in the past, no, Rob does not freeze cigars. It’s my understanding that the cigars destined for export are frozen in Cuba before they hit the boat. Cigars destined to be sold in Cuba are not, hence the recommendation that you should freeze anything purchased in Cuba. 

[sho671]

39 minutes ago, Shelby07 said:

It’s my understanding that the cigars destined for export are frozen in Cuba before they hit the boat. Cigars destined to be sold in Cuba are not, hence the recommendation that you should freeze anything purchased in Cuba. 

That's a point of contention. On their website, Habanos claims that since 2005 they have been freezing all their cigars prior to being released to the market. I've frequently read that cigars sold in Cuba haven't been frozen, particularly in cigar forums, but have not been able to find a definitive source to back it up. I could see that due to power outages, other infrastructure issues and climate cigars in Cuba may have an increased incidence of beetles being reintroduced but I think that saying Habanos cigars sold in Cuba aren't frozen is an  unsubstantiated claim.

Furthermore cigars that were frozen at some point in time does not make the cigar immune to all future beetle infestations. I was previously not a proponent of freezing cigars, but since realizing that beetles could have been reintroduced to the cigars at any point between factory freezing and the cigars showing up at my door, I now freeze all cigars that show up what/wherever the source.

http://www.habanos.com/en/el-mundo-del-habano/como-conservar-sus-habanos/?age-verified=8a98319a3d

[Bagman]

4 hours ago, Shelby07 said:

From what I have read in the past, no, Rob does not freeze cigars. It’s my understanding that the cigars destined for export are frozen in Cuba before they hit the boat. Cigars destined to be sold in Cuba are not, hence the recommendation that you should freeze anything purchased in Cuba. 

All non-customs are frozen.  Even boxes in Cuba.  Cigars sold at FOH were frozen again by PCC (FOH's vendor), so they have been frozen twice.  Up to you if you want to freeze cigars a third time.

Having said that, cigars in Cuba's LCDH's (customs) haven't been frozen and cross contamination happens.  So you are better off freezing any cigars bought in cuba, even though they were already frozen.