Cutting the cap during aging

[SUP8333]

So we're all familiar with that thick wad of spice and pepper with new boxes but has anyone cut the caps to let it become smoother faster?

So I'm impatient and while waiting for new boxes to mellow out, I try a stick every month or so. I realize the spice and pepper takes a longer time to mellow out probably because of the cap, would it make sense to cut it before putting it in the humidor? Any reason why not?

[Chitmo]

Honestly the idea never occurred to me, why not try it on one stick and see what happens? Worst case you don’t like it/you find out why people don’t do it. Or maybe you discover something you like. 🤷‍♂️ 

[Sandman]

It actually does help, sometimes significantly. I wouldn’t clip a whole box unless you are gonna smoke them all up in short order, but cutting them and letting them sit will help to age it quicker and also really helps the draw on tighter  fresh cigars. Also another thing you can do is clip the cigar and then put it into a ziplock bag, and let it sit on the counter for a few days and then smoke it.  

[Li Bai]

2 hours ago, Sandman said:

It actually does help, sometimes significantly. I wouldn’t clip a whole box unless you are gonna smoke them all up in short order, but cutting them and letting them sit will help to age it quicker and also really helps the draw on tighter  fresh cigars. Also another thing you can do is clip the cigar and then put it into a ziplock bag, and let it sit on the counter for a few days and then smoke it.  

Agreed. I've read it a few years ago and gave it a shot, it works pretty well 👍

I wouldn't clip a whole box either, particularly if I'm planning on aging them a bit.

[Redgoldband]

Interesting! Never thought about this. Will definitely try this on a few sticks.


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[SUP8333]

Awesome, I'm going to cut a box from the duplicate stash tomorrow, throw it in the humidor together with a box of uncut ones for 30 days and try it at the end to see the difference! Will post results.