Any remedy for plugged cigars

[olotti]

I pulled out a VR Unicos from 02 today as I haven't had one of these beauties in a while now. Checked out the foot and is was packed with tobacco, once clipped the draw was a little on the snug side but I was hoping it would open up once lit. Sadly this did not happen and once I rolled the cigar in my hand I can feel a harder spot down towards the band. I let the smoke go out then clipped it again to get rid of the burnt portion. I would hate to throw this thing away as I only have about 6 left. Any remedies to try and unplug this thing, I don't have anything on hand like a draw poker so what else could I do or is this one just a lost cause.

[Colt45]

In the past I've used a kebab skewer, and as much as I hate to admit it, a power drill with a fine bit. Either way, you have to be very

careful as the wrappers can be fairly easy to crack. But to be honest, any more when I have a truly plugged cigar, I usually chuck it.

For me smoking is a pleasure, and I don't need to be aggravated before I even start.

Give it a try just the same - good luck.

[Professor Twain]

An option to consider is dry boxing the cigar. Some cigars seem to be plugged but smoke great when they have a bit less humidity in them.

[Mr. Japan]

An option to consider is dry boxing the cigar. Some cigars seem to be plugged but smoke great when they have a bit less humidity in them.

I agree with Professor and in teh event this doesn't help, just get anotehr stick.

pleasure comes first !

[soltino]

In the past I've used a kebab skewer, and as much as I hate to admit it, a power drill with a fine bit.

I've tried the drill bit before and although it worked okay, the first few puffs emitted a fine tobacco powder which was not entirely pleasant. After a few puffs though it's fine, and I've used this method several times. Seems a bit harsh, but I have a whole box of '04 VR Familar which have a great subtle cocoa flavour, but are plugged up good an' tight...

Seems a shame to waste 'em... so I drill 'em instead

[n2advnture]

I am developing a tool right now that should be available within the next few weeks (I already have one that I've been using for years - GTS saw it and offered me ANY cigar in Zero Halliburton which included a 1492 - LOL!)

I have found that a majority of draw problems are caused by over humidification. Try dry boxing for a few days prior to smoking them and see if that helps.

~Mark

[anacostiakat]

An option to consider is dry boxing the cigar. Some cigars seem to be plugged but smoke great when they have a bit less humidity in them.

I agree with this option. I keep mine at a low RH any way and sometimes I will just let them rest longer and try one later on. If that doesnt do it I will drybox and try. After that it is a pitch.

[Taino]

what everyone else said... but boy plugged cigars really piss me off!

[Huckins]

I try dry boxing and if that doesn't work, I cut them up and smoke'm in my pipe.

[tsolomon]

I am developing a tool right now that should be available within the next few weeks (I already have one that I've been using for years - GTS saw it and offered me ANY cigar in Zero Halliburton which included a 1492 - LOL!)

I have found that a majority of draw problems are caused by over humidification. Try dry boxing for a few days prior to smoking them and see if that helps.

~Mark

Mark, I'm looking forward to buying one of these as you never know when you're going to get the next plugged cigar. Anyone want to expand on the dry boxxing procedure? Is it lower RH like 60% or just drying them out in a humidor without any humidfier? I try to move my cigars to a humidor that sits at 58-60% RH for 2-3 days, but still see the occasional cigar that is plugged or has a very restricted draw.

[anacostiakat]

Mark, I'm looking forward to buying one of these as you never know when you're going to get the next plugged cigar. Anyone want to expand on the dry boxxing procedure? Is it lower RH like 60% or just drying them out in a humidor without any humidfier? I try to move my cigars to a humidor that sits at 58-60% RH for 2-3 days, but still see the occasional cigar that is plugged or has a very restricted draw.

Tom,

Dry boxing is taking cigars out of your humi and putting them in an empty box that has not been in the humi for a day or whatever time you are comfortable with. You can check them periodically to try to determine when they feel and look good to try.

[armedak]

I drybox first and then if that doesn't work I get out the old cordless drill and the extra fine bit and drill it out...yes I'm serious. If that doesn't work then I try my draw poker. If that doesn't work I'm too pisssed off to smoke anything problem solved...

[El Presidente]

We give them to Ken

[Smooth]

Plugged cigars are strange beasts...

for 'extreme' plugged smokes, i stumbled upon this:

I had a Sancho Panza Molinos ready to smoke while away one time. Waited for the perfect moment on the balcony about midnight overlooking the ocean, clipped the cap and it was so plugged i literally could get next to zero air from it!! Chucked it back in the box i brought it in and completely forgot about it until about 3-4 months later...

The Mrs had bundled it up with her books from the trip, I lit it up and it smoked slightly firm before opening up to perfection.

Might be an option for total lost causes?

[stargazer14]

So Smooth, you are saying we should have our plugged smokes bundled up with the books by your Mrs.? Worth a try I guess.

I have been lucky in that I have only ever had one tight cigar and that was a Bolivar PC last weekend. And I wouldnt say it was plugged.

Have had many more NC's that were plugged.

and it is frustrating, especially when you didnt bring along a spare.

[Van55]

I think one must differentiate between a "plugged" cigar and an "overtight" cigar. There is a difference.

A truly plugged cigar has a physical obstruction between head and foot resulting from, for example, a twist in the filler leaf. Using a draw poker to pierce the obstruction should result in immediate relief from the plug. My own experience is that plugged cigars are pretty damned rare.

An overtight cigar is one that is either over-filled or over-humidified or both. For me, drilling, poking or massaging such a cigar is a total waste of time. Dryboxing and hoping that the filler shrinks some as a result is the only hope. On occasion I have stuck a draw poker through the length of such a cigar and left it there during dry boxing with some success.

I am a cheap bastard, and I hate throwing away a cigar. But like some others, I find that life's too short. If a couple of days dry boxing doesn't open the cigar up, into the bin it goes.

One other bit of advice (if it isn't obvious). If you are going out for an evening of smokes, clip the cigars you will be taking and draw test them before you go. There's nothing worse than discovering that the cigar you chose for a cigar bar evening is overtight when you don't have a replacement handy.

[laficion]

For me smoking is a pleasure, and I don't need to be aggravated before I even start.

Right on the nail colt, I've been smoking cigars for so long I think I've tried EVERYTHING.

With what time is lelt, for me, there is only ONE solution, the bin !!!

You'll see with time.

[CigarZen]

For a plugged cigar. It does not work every time, but most times it does: a thin gauge drill bit, and drill carefully. It removes tobacco so less likely to tear the wrapper than with a poker.

[Habanos2000]

I'd have to agree with the guys that say to toss out any plugged cigars, it's just not worth the aggravation. But the mental picture I have of taking a power drill to a cigar just sounds crazy!

[Miami101]

Keep your plug cigars....

Cut it up, and put it on the ******...............I save my plug cigars and make un holy blends Monte 2 meets VR..........................Also this let me taste the cigar.

Miami let's no cigar go to waste....you have to understand this is Cuban gold top gear.......................

Also some of the old schools down here have a long needle type devise.....Once they pin the cigar they smoke fine. Another thing to check to see where the plug is...if it is at the end you might be able to make another cut...

[Spartan]

Toss em' out + fire up another!

[MIKA27]

I think one must differentiate between a "plugged" cigar and an "overtight" cigar. There is a difference.

A truly plugged cigar has a physical obstruction between head and foot resulting from, for example, a twist in the filler leaf. Using a draw poker to pierce the obstruction should result in immediate relief from the plug. My own experience is that plugged cigars are pretty damned rare.

An overtight cigar is one that is either over-filled or over-humidified or both. For me, drilling, poking or massaging such a cigar is a total waste of time. Dryboxing and hoping that the filler shrinks some as a result is the only hope. On occasion I have stuck a draw poker through the length of such a cigar and left it there during dry boxing with some success.

I am a cheap bastard, and I hate throwing away a cigar. But like some others, I find that life's too short. If a couple of days dry boxing doesn't open the cigar up, into the bin it goes.

One other bit of advice (if it isn't obvious). If you are going out for an evening of smokes, clip the cigars you will be taking and draw test them before you go. There's nothing worse than discovering that the cigar you chose for a cigar bar evening is overtight when you don't have a replacement handy.

Well I have never stumbled accross a plugged cigar but I once purchased a box of Padron 1926 serie, 40th Anniversary Maduro Torpedo's 20 x cigars in all and found 8 of them being overtight!

Plugged or over tight, both bring frustration when all you want to do is relax and enjoy not wrestle.

As for throwing them, how could you!?