Cigar rehab

[Malt]

I’ve searched and I don’t see any posts but I’m 10 years late in the game here so there might be but how do you rehab an old cigar? Or is it not possible?

I got these from a family member who lost interest and they sat in a non maintained humidor for a few years. Are they lost or is there a way to bring them back? They certainly look authentic and there 12 of each. 

[Lucas Buck]

Use a gradual re-hydration strategy. Keep them at 50% RH for a month then 55% etc until you get to 65% or so. I would leave them at 65 for at least 6 months. As for the wrapper damage I have used Certo liquid fruit pectin just dabbing a little on to repair cracks and tears. You might be surprised how well they smoke with a little TLC and a lot of patience. Good luck!

[Malt]

Thanks @Lucas Buck, I put 2 in with my other cigars to see what would happen and when I first got them they were “crunchy” when you squeezed them. Now those 2 are no longer crunchy and seem more moist. I didn’t know how to fix the cracks but I’ll do that with certo and do the gradual RH with the rest in their own humidor by themselves. 

[gormag38]

2 hours ago, Malt said:

got these from a family member

Unfortunately I think that 2004 EL looks a little suspect. Perhaps another member that has more familiarity with these early ELs could give their two cents in regards to it being authentic or not. 

[Fugu]

Malt, you sure are testing us?! 😉

[Malt]

4 hours ago, Fugu said:

Malt, you sure are testing us?! 😉

Well, I’m full of questions! There will be a quiz at the end! 
 

Tim

[Malt]

4 hours ago, gormag38 said:

Unfortunately I think that 2004 EL looks a little suspect. Perhaps another member that has more familiarity with these early ELs could give their two cents in regards to it being authentic or not. 

I inherited them so I have no idea where they came from! They smell like manure and prunes!!

[Chibearsv]

2 hours ago, Malt said:

I inherited them so I have no idea where they came from!  They smell like manure and prunes!!

That's not necessarily a trait of Cohiba in my experience. Not a judgement, just an observation.

[JohnS]

2 hours ago, Malt said:

Well, I’m full of questions! There will be a quiz at the end! 

Haha...like our generous host, pretty soon you'll be handing out prizes! 😂

[Malt]

13 hours ago, JohnS said:

Haha...like our generous host, pretty soon you'll be handing out prizes! 😂

Well if you ever come to Nova Scotia I’ll show yas how to cook a lobster! FYI they go great with Cigars, it’s win win!

[teamrandr]

Short answer, maybe. In my experience they more often then not are shot.

[Bagman]

On 2/28/2026 at 12:49 AM, Lucas Buck said:

Use a gradual re-hydration strategy. Keep them at 50% RH for a month then 55% etc until you get to 65% or so. I would leave them at 65 for at least 6 months. As for the wrapper damage I have used Certo liquid fruit pectin just dabbing a little on to repair cracks and tears. You might be surprised how well they smoke with a little TLC and a lot of patience. Good luck!

Once the oils are gone, they are gone. You can rehydrate if you like the taste of paper bags.

[Malt]

16 hours ago, teamrandr said:

Short answer, maybe. In my experience they more often then not are shot.

I don’t have anything to lose trying. I didn’t pay anything for them so I’ll try the rehydrate and if they are no good then I’ve tried, if they are good it’s a bonus. 

[zeedubbya]

In my personally experience, I have found chopping old dried out cigars up into pipe tobacco and rehydrating it in one of the many methods used for rehydrating pipe tobacco works better. I believe it’s a surface area problem. When the tobacco is in tight tubes it’s tough to rehydrate properly, but when it’s all exposed to moisture it seems to being the leaves back to life more. It’s worth a try with one cigar. YMMV of course, and maybe you don’t even smoke a pipe!

[Lucas Buck]

15 hours ago, Bagman said:

Once the oils are gone, they are gone. You can rehydrate if you like the taste of paper bags.

They will likely not be the same as if kept properly of course but cigars can be incredibly resilient. I’ve smoked some brilliant sticks brought back from the dead. One example - I cut an OR Trinidad Robustos Extra that wouldn’t draw at 65%. Placed it in a dry box with no humidification and promptly forgot about it. More than a year later I found it and it was DRY! Used the method prescribed above and it was to this day one of the best cigars I’ve smoked. I’ll never forget it. YMMV. 

[Malt]

6 hours ago, Lucas Buck said:

They will likely not be the same as if kept properly of course but cigars can be incredibly resilient. I’ve smoked some brilliant sticks brought back from the dead. One example - I cut an OR Trinidad Robustos Extra that wouldn’t draw at 65%. Placed it in a dry box with no humidification and promptly forgot about it. More than a year later I found it and it was DRY! Used the method prescribed above and it was to this day one of the best cigars I’ve smoked. I’ll never forget it. YMMV. 

I’ll do what you suggested earlier. The 2 that aren’t crunchy anymore I’ll fix with Certo and leave them for a few months. 

[Fugu]

Ahem…, just to be clear - and leaving all technique aside - we’re still talking about rehydrating faux Cohibas here. 

Tim, as I have gathered, you appear not to be a complete beginner, but obviously you aren’t too familiar with (genuine) Cuban cigars either. If you were asking for my advice: Spare yourself the time and hassle and do invest in some decent “true” cigars (… needs not be Cohiba) to provide yourself with a proper baseline. Start from there, not from decades-long dried out fakes.

And - don’t let yourself get fooled by some blokes joking on here - if at all, then a pungent note of cow manure is indicative of young (overfermented) Nicaraguan tobacco. A well matured Habano smells like heaven, not like s**t. 😅

[gormag38]

22 hours ago, Fugu said:

Ahem…, just to be clear - and leaving all technique aside - we’re still talking about rehydrating faux Cohibas here. 

22 hours ago, Fugu said:

Spare yourself the time and hassle and do invest in some decent “true” cigars (… needs not be Cohiba) to provide yourself with a proper baseline. Start from there, not from decades-long dried out fakes.

Tim, I think this is the best advice given yet. 

[Malt]

On 3/2/2026 at 7:49 AM, Fugu said:

Ahem…, just to be clear - and leaving all technique aside - we’re still talking about rehydrating faux Cohibas here. 

Tim, as I have gathered, you appear not to be a complete beginner, but obviously you aren’t too familiar with (genuine) Cuban cigars either. If you were asking for my advice: Spare yourself the time and hassle and do invest in some decent “true” cigars (… needs not be Cohiba) to provide yourself with a proper baseline. Start from there, not from decades-long dried out fakes.

And - don’t let yourself get fooled by some blokes joking on here - if at all, then a pungent note of cow manure is indicative of young (overfermented) Nicaraguan tobacco. A well matured Habano smells like heaven, not like s**t. 😅

I’ve been around cigars for a long time but you’re exactly right just not the good ones. This is why I’m here. It’s not about cost just about making sure the cost isn’t lost on substandard.

I did order some Puro Desnudo - Canonazo N6 - Bundle (25) from Bond Roberts.  These are from what I can tell close to a Cohiba style.  I like the 52ish ring 6” cigars and these got my attention. Once I get them and acclimate them I’ll have some good stuff to compare. 

As for the rehab ones? I’ll do what Lucas suggested so I can see how they do and smoke them to see how that goes. It’s good advice in case I come across real ones that need attention. They don’t owe me anything but I’ll smoke one after the puro then I’ll know the difference between great and c****y. 
Sometimes weeding through the good info and not so good can be a bit overwhelming to a non-expert.  

[Malt]

6 hours ago, gormag38 said:

Tim, I think this is the best advice given yet. 

Agreed, getting through how to tell the Faux from real is still a struggle but I’m getting there. 

[gormag38]

4 minutes ago, Malt said:

Agreed, getting through how to tell the Faux from real is still a struggle but I’m getting there.

For sure brother. Learning the 'tells' is a tough job these days. The more time you spend here the more you will pick up no doubt. 

[NYGuido]

13 hours ago, Malt said:

I did order Puro Desnudo - Canonazo N6 - Bundle (25) from Bond Roberts. 

I am smoking one as I type this, and it is exceptional. I also recommend highly the MOFOH Trinity Robusto and the MOFOH Spada Gorda. The Trinity has a bit of Cohiba to my likely wrong palate and the Spada leans a bit more Upmann (but, again, I probably am wrong).

[MrBirdman]

I sincerely thought someone’s family had finally cracked, staged a cigar intervention, and were looking for a cigar rehab. Time for coffee!

[painfreefishing]

26 minutes ago, MrBirdman said:

I sincerely thought someone’s family had finally cracked, staged a cigar intervention, and were looking for a cigar rehab. Time for coffee!

Hmm.... my wife did mention we need to talk this afternoon.

[JohnS]

When your wife says, "we need to have a talk", just remember...it really means, "I need to have a talk". Just keep that in mind.

My advice? Show up, stay quiet and nod your head.