Based on your regular cigar smoking routine, if you could only smoke the cigars in your collection, how long would it take you to smoke through all of them?
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Q: I've been smoking cigars for over 15 years and I have smoked everything available. Now I just want to stay with one brand. Is this normal? - Frank A. in New York City Read Answer
Q: I recently bought a Cohiba that has a band that looks literally the exact same as the Cuban Cohibas (raised gold lettering, instead though it says "Republica Dominicana, 5 rows of white dots, 3 rows above the word Cohiba). I have personally never seen a Dominican Republic Cohiba with this band anywhere though. Is it a fake? - Clay
P.S. i got it from a cigar store
Read Answer
Q: I enjoy Arturo Fuente Rothschild, Hemingway Signature, Don Carlos Robusto, CAO Cameroon, Nub 460 Cameroon, and Famous Nicaraguan Cameroon. I want to try a Davidoff cigar, but the variety is extensive and expensive. All my cigars now are natural, and as I've indicated, I enjoy a Cameroon wrapper. What would you suggest from Davidoff that might be similar to my taste? - Daniel N. in Portland, MI Read Answer
Q: I've always used a guillotine cutter to snip off the cap on Torpedo cigars. Could you go into more detail about using the "V" cutter? Thank you, Kyle in Orange, TXRead Answer
Q: I just got some VSL Honduran cigars and have been enjoying them, but the ash seems rather flaky. I've never seen that much spread on a cigar ash before. What causes that? - Artie in California Read Answer
Q: Do you find the cut you make on the cap, like V cut versus punch, etc., makes a difference in the burn? I have tried all three types of cutters and I find the V cut seems to work a little better, probably since it doesn't quite open it up as much as the punch or cutter does, so it draws a little slower. - Brian in Monticello, KY Read Answer
Q. I just ordered a new cigar humidor. Last night, I noticed that the humidifier (simple black grated puck) in my current 50 ct. humidor was developing some mold. Luckily, it had only started and I saw no evidence of mold on any cigars or the wood.
I chucked the humidifier and ordered another, along with some Propylene Glycol solution, which I didn't bother to use before (though I did use distilled water). I know my collection, which is a pathetic 8 cigars, needs humidity. Right now, it's at 65% or so, and spiraling downward as the hours pass.
Is it harmful to set a clean open container of distilled water in my humidor to keep it above 60%, at least, while my cigars remain inside? - Stephen in TennesseeRead Answer
The other day I was smoking a cigar and didn't have time to finish it. I let it go out naturally and left it in the tray overnight. The next day I trimmed off the ash back to unburned tobacco. I put the cigar back in my humidor. Well, now my humidor has a whacky smell and I am regretting this decision. Is the humidor ruined, as well as the sticks? - John T. in ColoradoRead Answer
Q: Sometimes when I light a cigar it burns unevenly. I know I'm toasting the foot right. Is it because my torch lighter is hitting a side of the cigar to long? - B. Ibach (hometown omitted)Read Answer
Q: I am an avid fan of CAO Gold Double Coronas and I smoke, on average, one every two days. Using the box the cigars came in, will one of those humidification packets last the full forty days it takes to finish my supply? - Lester M. in Mauk, GA Read Answer
Q: I just bought a box of Torano Reserva Selecta Torpedo Maduro cigars, and since they are sealed in glass tubes, I was wondering if the storage requirements for them would be any different than cello wrapped cigars. Do the glass tubes allow humidity in? - Richard H. in Houston, TX Read Answer
Q. I have a few questions about traveling and cigars. Soon I will be taking a cruise with stops in Spain, Greece, Italy and Turkey. First, I will take a 15 cigar travel case with me, but over the course of 12 days I doubt that will hold me long as we will have our own private deck where I can partake. Each day we will be able to tour the city, but I was wondering if I would be able to find good cigar stores in the major cities we will be stopping in, or should I simply take a lot more cigars? If I take a lot more cigars how should I handle them in my baggage? Any other ideas you might have concerning long-term travel would be greatly appreciated. - Steven in Cassville, MORead Answer
Q. Referring to my favorite cigars, Flor De Oliva Naturals, which have sweetened caps, what is the sweetener made of, and how is it applied? - Bill M. in Covina, CARead Answer
Q. I don't fly very often these days, but I'm planning a trip soon. Is airport security lately OK with lighters and cigar cutters in carry-on baggage, or do I need to check a bag to bring these things with me? - Dan C. in Bainbridge Island, WARead Answer
Q. What are the pros and cons of buying a glass top humidor, or a humidor with glass anywhere on it, as opposed to a solid wood type humidor? - Robert V. in Colorado Springs, CORead Answer
Q. I do not understand when you say to leave space between cigars in the humidor. I take the cellos off, and all of my cigars are in piles according to their brand. Is it OK to stack the cigars and possibly rotate them every once in a while? Thank you, and I enjoy all of the information that I learn from your column. - James G., Cranberry Twp, PARead Answer
Q. Can a small humidor, one that holds 25 to 50 cigars, be refurbished if it has a spot of mildew growth where the humidifier was placed before? I found a couple of these and I would like to fix it if possible. - Randy in Clovis, CARead Answer
Q. What is the effect if you light the wrong end of a freshly cut cigar; smoking it backwards, so to speak? I've done this and noticed some harshness in the first few draws, then realized my mistake. I finished the smoke anyway. - Simon in Sturgis, SDRead Answer
Q. My father,who has been a long time cigar smoker recently had a pacemaker placed in his heart. The doctors advised him not to smoke anymore. He likes to chew on a cigar but has complained that most of the premium cigars he use to smoke don't have a pleasant taste. Any suggestions on cigars that are more flavorable when chewed on? - J.P. in Denison, TX Read Answer
Q. I opted not to use the top trays in my humidors. Even though the top tray has slits, if the tray is filled up with cigars I can't see much humidity getting through, and in fact it seems as it would over humidify the cigars in the top tray. Is this reasoning correct? - James G. in Cranberry Twp, PARead Answer
Q. How long can you keep a sealed box of cigars before they go bad? I'm serving in the U.S. Navy and currently stationed in Honolulu, All the cigar guys on my ship want to know the answer. It will help us decide whether we buy boxes when we pull into a port. - David Axtell (Menifee, CA.)Read Answer
Q. I bought some box press cigars. Which is better, to leave them in the box or remove them and store in a humidor? - Robert C. (town witheld)Read Answer
Q. I currently have 5 'humi' devices in my 400 count humidor. In the summer, I seldom have a problem keeping the RH at or near 67% unless I happen to add several new cigars that are a bit too dry when I receive them. However, in the winter my humi has been struggling to stay at 60% (sometimes a bit less). Oddly, the outdoor humidity has been at or near 90% quite regularly here. I'm sure it's a bit less due to my home heating.
My question is, why would I have trouble keeping the RH up? Do I need to add more humi-paks? Is it the particular cigars I've added? I haven't added any new cigars in over 30 days but do open my humidor at least once a day to grab a stick for smoking each day.
- Cliff in Langley, OKRead Answer
Q. I'm tired of cheap cutters that mangle the ends of my cigars. What do you recommend for an inexpensive cutter that will last a while? I'm thinking of the Xikar Xi2 cutters. Are these any good? I am also very open for suggestions.
Thanks, Drew in Citrus Heights, CARead Answer
Q. Instead of clipping off the tip of my cigar, I use a toothpick and put about 5 holes in the [head]. I was told that that this is not the correct way to [clip] a cigar. Any opinion on this? - Larry S.Read Answer
Q. I recently purchased the “Xikar Crystal Humidifier 250 Rectangular“ from Famous Smoke Shop about a month ago. I have a humidor that is holding about 110 cigars and it is full. My problem is that I can’t get the humidity below 75% Could this humidifier be too big? I assumed that if it gives off 70% humidity, the amount of cigars wouldn’t be a factor. Am I wrong? - Eric in Jacksonville, FLRead Answer
Q. I keep my cigars (all Flor de Oliva) in their cellophane wrappers. However, a few are unwrapped, and after a couple of days the wrapper leaves begin to peel away. The hygrometer shows 80% humidity. What is going wrong? - Terry B. in FloridaRead Answer
Q. I am new to premium cigars. In reading about them I have learned that the length of the ash (1" minimum) indicates that they are handmade. In my pre-premium days I smoked the 29-cent-a-stick Swisher Sweets. I just went back and smoked several others and paid attention to the ash. On these "El Cheapo's" I get a 2" ash. Am I not understanding something? No big deal, but, I'm sure that they are not handmade. - Charles S.Read Answer
Q. When you purchase a box of cigars, do you put the box in the humidor and leave it closed, or should you take the cigars out of the box? I have one of those bookcase humidors that can accommodate the box. - Ronald L.Read Answer
Q. I bought a couple of cigars back in February of 2008, then somehow forgot about them until I found them in the back of a drawer. They've been at roughly room temperature in the dark, and are still wrapped in their cellophane. Should they still be okay to smoke? If so, is there anything I should do to prepare them? - Colin. C.Read Answer
Q. I have a cigar humidor and the humidity is right on at about 75%, but the temp is a little cold - about 55-65 degrees. Is this RH going to be a bad thing on hot the days? - Casey in GeorgiaRead Answer
Q. I recently tried a Kristoff Criollo Torpedo and was completely blown away. I'm eager to buy a box but since they are not in cello I'm worried about storing them. I've read that 'naked' cigars in a humidor can pick up some spiciness from the cedar. I think I've experienced that when I did a taste test of naked vs. cello of the same brand. Do you have any suggestions on the best way to keep the fresh-from-the-box-flavor for cigars not wrapped in cello?
- Richard H. in Houston, TXRead Answer
Q. Are Cuban cigars superior to cigars from other countries, or is this an example (at least for Americans) of the forbidden being more appealing? - Dan in Bainbridge Island, WARead Answer
Q. I have aquired some [dried-out] cigars that haven't been maintained in a proper humidor. Can they be re-hydrated, or are they not worth bothering with? If so, what procedure do you recommend? - Ron R.Read Answer
Q. When smoking a big, long-lasting cigar, how long is it usually OK to leave it unattended in the ashtray and come back to it later on? Is a couple of hours too much? - Jack in Atlanta, GARead Answer
Q. I understand that cigars should not be aged more than 5 years. Therefore, I have been inclined to smoke [my cigars within a three year period] and replace them every three years with newer boxes. Any input on this?Read Answer
Q. Am I supposed to rotate the cigars in my humidor? In other words, move the smokes on the bottom to the top every once in a while to help keep them better humidified? - Rick F. in New MexicoRead Answer
Q. I've noticed that no matter what cigar I take out of the humidor, it tastes bitter when I light it up, and then becomes flavorful after it burns for a while. It happened yesterday on two totally different, very high-quality cigars. Any thoughts on what's going on? - Jerry in Reston, VARead Answer
Q. I find Maduro wrapper cigars very difficult to keep lit. Is there a secret to this that I'm missing, or am I just having bad luck? EMS and lighter wrappers burn well, but maduro and oscuros go out after about 3 to 5 minutes. - P. Dougherty Read Answer
Q. I have a 50 cigar humidor but I can fit a lot more than 50 cigars in it. What would be the possible downside of storing more than 50 cigars in the humidor for a short period of time, if there is one? - Matt in Bethel, CTRead Answer
Q. I have a cigar humidor someone gave me as a gift; it hasn't seen much use for the past year or two. When I last checked it, I saw a few black stains the size of a quarter or so presumably caused by mold or fungus. What can I do to remove those stains, or at least be sure they won’t damage any cigars? - Bill in West Kennebunk, MERead Answer
Q. I have been smoking cigars now for 13 years. I smoke one cigar per day, and have since the beginning. It's usually a toro size, but sometimes it's something smaller. It seems I have developed what I call "cigar mouth." On the upper inside of my mouth it is starting to feel as though I'm wrinkling right around where I place the cigar to draw on it. What feels like creases are starting to feel deeper. I would like to draw on your experience as a long time cigar smoker and find out if this is natural as one continues to enjoy cigars or if there is cause for concern here? - Kirk in Lincoln, NERead Answer
Q. I was just given a jar to store my cigars (I don't think it's a humidor though, just a sealed jar). How long will cigars stay good in a jar like that? I just ordered 25 cigars and wouldn't want them to all get stale on me. If I were to put a sponge in the jar should I dampen the sponge, and how often should I do that? - Dan in Marlborough, MARead Answer
Q. I am more than a little confused by the term "Cuban seed" tobacco. Do the seeds used in cigars made outside of Cuba still come from Cuba? - James in Ephrata, PARead Answer
Q. I have been purchasing cigars from Famous Smoke Shop for a year now and I am very pleased with the way they do business. I recently purchased two bundles of a Famous Honduran 2000 Grand Toro’s (shown) that were individually wrapped with a second wrapper over the bundle. The date is 6/2008. Can you explain the date? If so, where were they stored for the last year? Where I am going is, can they be smoked now, or would it be advisable to un-wrap them and put them in my humidor for a couple of months? - Russ M. in Batavia, NYRead Answer
Q. I just received my first humidor (a Sao Paolo) and box of cigars from Famous Smoke Shop. The hygometer that came with it has a rubber gasket wrapped around it which covers the 5 holes that surround it. Can you tell me if this gasket should be left on or taken off prior to placing it in the humidor, or does it matter? - Nick in Denver, CORead Answer
Q. I have always bought distilled water to use in my Moist-n-Aire humidifier. I have a basement de-humidifier from which I recycle its water into my garden. Is this de-humidifed water clean enough to use for my cigars? It does come from the air! - Carl B. in Staten Island, NYRead Answer
Q. I've got relatively little experience with torpedo-shaped cigars. Although I like the concept, I have some questions about them:
1. How far down do you make your cut on the end? 2. Is a torpedo shape necessarily any stronger than the same blend in say, a Churchill configuration? 3. What was the original idea in making the torpedo shape? 4. What are the advantages/disadvantages of this shape?
- Alan in Corinth, MSRead Answer
Q. Does a wooden cigar humidor have to be airtight? I put a flashlight inside mine, and can see the light rays coming out of the gaps along the lid. Is this OK, or does the humidor have to be tight as a submarine hatch? - Nick V. (U.S Navy)Read Answer
Q. I have several bundles and boxes in my overflow igloodor. Some are upright to maximize storage space. Is it OK, or do all the cigars need to be laying flat? - Chris B. in North CarolinaRead Answer
Q. If I am buying a box of cigars overseas, what is the best way to store the cigars whilst travelling on an airplane? - Michael in AustraliaRead Answer
Q. I recently received a cigar humidor as a present. I'm not really sure of its quality, and actually tend to believe that it has a bad seal, but it might be that the hygrometer just needs to be calibrated. However, the hygrometer is built into the humidor itself (the face is on the outside of the humidor's front wall). It's been reading 56% RH, and I have no idea how to check its calibration because I can't take it out and place it in a bag with a dish of dampened salt. Do you have any advice?
Also the humidor has a pane of glass in the lid so the inside of the humidor can be viewed. Could this be a problem in maintaining proper humidity in the humidor? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. - Ken in Fitchburg, WIRead Answer
Q. I think my cigars are ruined. I took a cigar out of my humidor yesterday and noticed that it was extremely soft, like a wet sponge. After checking most of the other cigars in the box, they were damp, too. Is there any way to save them? - Rick in Monroe, NJRead Answer
Q. What is the difference between premium cigars that are referred to as "orphans" and cigars that are referred to as "seconds?" - Confused in AmericaRead Answer
Q. I recently decided to give Conuco cigars a try based on the catalog writeup. I bought a box of Toro and a Robusto 5-pack. I liked the Toros. They had some of the characteristics of Padron cigars; kind of a chocklaty, espresso nuance at a much lower price point. I expected the same taste in the Robusto in a smaller size. But they were terrible! Harsh, almost sour. It was like a completely different company made them. I have never experienced such a difference in flavor just changing shapes. Am I nuts, or have you experienced something similar? - Joe O. in La Quinta, CARead Answer
Q. I have a humidor with the humidity at about 65% RH, but I am finding the cigars too moist. When I pinch the foot they are pretty soft after being in the humidor (they were firm when I bought them). Also I had one the other day and it had a terrible draw, I imagine from the moisture? I left some out over night, and while some became firmer others remained soft. Any way to fix this and/or prevent in the future? - Alonzo H.Read Answer
Q. I always read the customer comments before buying any cigar, but I continue to be puzzled by one recurring topic: "this cigar must 'rest' for a week/month/6 months/a year before it's any good." So the question is, why would manufacturers release cigars before they are any good? - Curt G. in Lolo, MTRead Answer
Q. I noticed that Cohiba cigar bands differ. Some have a red dot in the "O" while others do not. What's the difference? - Jim B. in Deer Park, NYRead Answer
Q. I cannot get my head wrapped around the word "torpedo." Does it refer to a shape or a size (like Churchill, Corona or Robusto)? I have seen "torpedo" listed in tables like: Churchill, Corona, Torpedo, but I have also seen some torpedo-shaped cigars that are not the typical Torpedo size, like MAXX Curve by Alec Bradley, for example. I'm confused!! Can you un-confuse me? I appreciate your help. - Rich S. in Palm Coast, FLRead Answer
Q. I just bought a cabinet humidor. If I store my cigars in their factory boxes, will they receive the proper amount of humidity? - Gene in East Hampton, NYRead Answer
Q. With the 90 degree weather, the temp in my humidor is climbing near 80 degrees. What can I do to get it back down to where it belongs? - Greg in Jessup, PARead Answer
Q. I have one humidor for each of my favorite cigars, about five. I'm not able to restock right now and I need to know if my humidors will be OK empty as long as I keep the humidity constant, or will I need to recharge them? - T. TurnerRead Answer
Q. I have a beautiful leather pocket 2-cigar tube case. It doesn't have any sort of humidification device. Do they make such a thing? Also, how long will the cigars stay fresh, and does the leather help or hinder freshness? To be clear, the leather is not that thick, just enough to protect the cigars. - K.C. in Livermore, CARead Answer
Q. I have been reading a lot of your articles about proper cigar storage, temp and humidity. One question I have is that if you do store your cigars without the cello wrapper, how do you keep track of the "type" of cigar? The bands haves the brand but not the specific type. Any suggestions? - Will H. in MontanaRead Answer
Q. I know that most cigars improve over time by aging for a year or longer. But what about flavored cigars - specifically Isla del Sol? Will they lose their flavor if aged over long periods? Thanks! - Doug in Olathe, CORead Answer
Q. Can different cigar brands be kept in the same humidor? My friends say is not good because you'll mix the blends. - Frank A. in New York CityRead Answer
Q. I know it depends on the ambient conditions, but how long can a cigar be left out of the humidor before it loses an "acceptable" amount of humidity? - C.J. in Yardley, PARead Answer
Q. I am using several "Tupperdors" to age cigars until I have room in my regular humidors. I'm looking at leaving the cigars in the "tupperdors" for probably at least a year at a time for aging purposes. Are there any problems inherent in this? Because the "tupperdors" don't breath, is there any danger of mold? I am keeping everything very close to 70/70. - Doug H. in Olathe, CORead Answer
Q. I have recently noticed that "canoeing" seems to start after the first ash falls. Does the ash insulate the burn, keeping it even, and would it be beneficial to keep the ash trimmed by rolling it the cigar in the ashtray? - Tom in Pittsfield, MARead Answer
Q. I have a 300+ cigar humidor that's about 14" deep. I'm wondering on humidifier placement. Does the moisture tend to stay at the same level as the humidifier or sink/rise in the humidor? There's some ventilation between trays, but I'm wondering if I should put humidifiers on both the top and bottom?
Also, is there any benefit with having the cigars on end, or laying on their side in the humidor? - R. Johnson in Battle Creek, MIRead Answer
Q. The humidifier in my humidor is supposed to be fastened to the lid by means of Velcro, but inevitably ends up falling off. Is there any reason the humidifier can't sit in the base of the humidor? It's still emitting moisture, right? - John T.Read Answer
Q. What is the bottom line regarding the length and color of the ash on a cigar. I'm curious because I have smoked some fine cigars whose ash falls off and others not so fine whose ash lasts a lot longer. Can you provide some insight about this? - Jonathan in Catonsville, MDRead Answer
Q. To bring overly humid cigars to smokable condition more quickly, what do you think about removing them from the cello, snipping the head as if you were planning to smoke them, but instead, returning them to the humidor for seasoning? It would seem that opening the head would allow moisture to escape much faster. Good idea or bad? - Bob M. in Secor, ILRead Answer
Q. How do these "cigar tasters" identify the flavors they detect, like "white chocolate?" I find it difficult to taste "white chocolate" when I am eating white chocolate," let alone taste it in a cigar! They say that the cigar has "spice," "notes of "leather," "hints of "pepper," "almonds," etc., I have been smoking and enjoying cigars for many years, and the answer to this question has always eluded me. - Pat G. in Whitehouse Station, NJ Read Answer
Q. I noticed that there is one maker out there who cuts off the cellophane wrapper right at the foot of the cigar. It seems to make sense that this would allow better humidification while still protecting the fragile wrapper. Is this true? - Paul D. in Avon, IN Read Answer
Q. I see hundreds of articles on the accuracy of measuring humidity with digital hygrometers, but nobody ever questions the temperature reading. Are these generally more accurate whem measuring temperature, or should temperature accuracy also be a concern? - Steve in Norwalk, CTRead Answer
Q. I just recently bought my first humidor and would like to know when to "recharge" my humidifier. How do I know when I have added enough or too much distilled water? - J. FletcherRead Answer
Q. What is this bit about keeping a long ash on a cigar? Also, does it help to make the smoke cooler, or is it just a status thing (you know, like: "My ash is longer than yours"). - Peter H. B. in Agoura Hills, CARead Answer
Q.My husband keeps his cigar bands after smoking a new brand of cigar. I'd like to purchase something for him to store these in but can't find anything specifically for cigar bands. Any advice? - Dawn S.Read Answer
Q. I have a humidor that doesn't have a good seal any more, and I'm looking for a way to fix this problem. Have you come across this problem before, and if so, how did you fix it? - Marvin H. in Pensacola, FLRead Answer
Q. I have a 100 count humidor with two humidifiers. I've done the salt test on my hygrometer and 60% is 75%. I'm only using one humidifier now and I'm showing 67% RH which relates to about 82% if i can believe the salt test. What do you think - new hygrometer? - Fred B. in TexasRead Answer
Q. I'm new to cigars, and have read a lot about how they get better with age. So, in what way does aging affect the flavor of a cigar? Thanks. - Kenny in Shreveport, LARead Answer
Q. Living in the Rust Belt of Cincinnati, Ohio has provided me concerns with my humidor and fluctuating temperatures between summer and winter. During the summer I have little problem keeing my humidor at 68% +/- RH with a house temp of 74. During the winter when we keep the house at 68 I have a tough time keeping the RH above 65 with 2 humidifiers. Is there anything to worry about with these seasonal RH fluctuations? Thanks, Steve H. in CincinnatiRead Answer
Q. I've always been under the impression that mild, green cigars were interchangeably called both "Claro" and "Candela." Is this true, and where does the term "Cameroon" come into this discussion (or does it?). Thanks, Alan in Corinth, MSRead Answer
Q. I've only been smoking cigars for maybe 4 months. I'd say I get maybe 1 in 15 that burn correctly throughout. Most either burn too hot and tunnel, or won't stay lit. Sometimes the wrapper/binder will burn too fast then go out so just the filler burns, which will then...you guessed it...tunnel. I've lit them countless ways: matches, colibris, bics, you name it. I've used techniques from CigarAficianado.com, I've even YouTubed it (as sad as that sounds. I've tried humidity in the humidor from 75 to 60 percent trying to figure it out. I admit, it pisses me off when I see someone sitting at one of our windy outdoor bars, light up with a bic once and smoke it 'til their finger tips burn. Any helpful insight you could provide? - Bill (Smokeless in St. Thomas)Read Answer
Q. I was wondering if you could tell me a bit about how cigars are 'flavored' for lack of a better term. It's my understanding that cigarettes are treated with several things, including chemicals that are bad for us. What is used to achieve the different flavoring for cigars? Thanks, Cliff H. in OklahomaRead Answer
Q. A couple of weeks ago you wrote a review of the new CAO LX2. In it you wrote: "...the second, butterfly-shaped band has the words, 'Fortaleza Tres' on it, which translates to 'three strengths.' (I'm looking into what that's all about)." Did you ever find out where the term comes from? Thanks, Big Mike in Venice, CARead Answer
Q. A friend gave me a gift of a Romeo Y Julieta Desde 1875 Cuban, about a 44 ring size. It was purchased from a cigar store in Canada. When cut it was very stiff for the 1st 3/4 inch and almost imposable to draw. I cut 3/4 inch more off and was able to smoke it, but [it was] difficult. The body seemed normal. Did I get dog droppings? - James M. in CanadaRead Answer
Q. I just started getting into smoking premium cigars. I'm also a history buff and curious about when cigars first appreared in the United States? - Trey in MichiganRead Answer
Q. A friend gave me a box of cigars that tasted horrible. How can I flavor them with vanilla? Can I put some vanilla in with my solution for my humidifier? Will that work? - Glen H.Read Answer
Q. I smoke a lot of different cigars in all different price ranges and strengths. Why is it that cigars tend to get much stronger to the point of turning bitter in the last couple of inches? - Lou from New JerseyRead Answer
Q. Is it possible to tell from the cigar's band alone which version of a given cigar it is? For example, I have an Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva that measures about 6¾" x 44 - probably a lonsdale. I can't tell from the CigarCyclopedia whether it's a Don Carlos or whatever. It came with a sampler, but no further info. - J.L. Marta in Yuba City, CARead Answer
Q. How does one re-cement a loose wrapper, or one that might have been nicked? Someone suggested Pectin. I think that's a grocery store item. Any Ideas? - Jim K. in Brighton, MARead Answer
Q. I purchased a 5-cigar Cigar Caddy which provides an airtight and waterproof environment for the cigars. I placed 4 cigars in the Caddy without adding water to the humidifier, and the humidity was 85% after 24 hours. I added one DryMistat stick (after adding distilled water) and the humidity remained at 85%. I even noticed a wet spot on my last cigar. I then tested using a DryMistat stick (still dry, without adding water) and the humidity came down to 73%. Is this common for airtight containers like Cigar Caddy, because there is no airflow to let some of the humidity from the cigars escape? - Hector in Gilbertsville, PARead Answer
Q. I have a question about the cigar business that I'm hoping you'll be kind enough to answer. Why do manufacturers not offer their premium cigars packaged in bundles? I would love to purchase a "box" of Rocky Patel Vintage 90's or CAO Brazilia etc., without the box. I have a room that is slowly filling with empty cigar boxes that I can't seem to throw away. They are made of wood with metal hinges and fancy decorations and it all seems like a lot of waste. I would wager that there are a lot of smokers who would be interested in premium cigars without the box.
I understand that the box is useful to dress up the product for retail store display, is durable for shipping and storage purposes, and is nice when you are giving cigars as a gift. But it seems to me that there may be an untapped market out there: the on-line premium cigar purchaser who just wants the sticks. I know that you offer 5-packs, but I would rather not pay a higher price than I would buying an entire box. Why can't the manufacturers offer their premium product to major distributors (like Famous Smoke Shop) packaged in bundle form? There would be less consumption of materials on their end and maybe even a savings in shipping cost. Throw in a discount to the consumer for buying without the box and it would be a winner!
I appreciate your thoughts.
Thank you, Dave R. in Danbury, CTRead Answer
Q. Gary, you often refer to "heady cigars" in your reviews. I think I now know what you mean. The other night I smoked a strong cigar, and not only felt a little high, but I was nauseous, too. Has this ever happened to you, and how did you deal with it? - Jake from BaltimoreRead Answer
Q. Cameroon wrappers, Cameroon wrappers, that's all I hear about. There's Cameroon wrappers, Geniune Cameroon wrappers, West African Cameroon wrappers. What is the difference between some Cameroon wrappers and others; are they not all created equal? - Peter in Agoura Hills, CARead Answer
Q. I don't know if it's me or my cigars, but I find that they often tend to burn unevenly, leaving one side of the cigar longer than the other. Any suggestions? - Ray in Madison, WSRead Answer
Q. I was at my local cigar store the other day and bought a new cigar lighter. The counter man also offered to fill it for me and I noticed that he shook the can before inserting the needle into the lighter. Since the gas in the can in compressed, is this really a good idea? - Norman in Rhode IslandRead Answer
Q. I have seen some "aficionados" gently roll a cigar between thumb and index finger while holding it close to their ear prior to lighting up. I assume this is a test of freshness or proper humidification. It also seems this could really stress the wrapper. Can you shed some light on this? - Ben G.Read Answer
Q. My wife has an old, fully cedar-lined trunk, and I was wondering if I could use this as a humidor? If so,what would be the best humidification system to use? The dimensions are 40" long x 15" wide x 11" deep. The trunk also has a small length wise tray that comes up as you lift the lid. I appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks, Mike B.Read Answer
Q. My confusion arises from a cigar that is described as "medium bodied" with a "full flavor." Can you please explain what that means? - Steve K.Read Answer
Q. My husband and I own a beautiful furnished condo in Las Vegas which we are trying to sell. Meanwhile, though we have a "no smoking" clause in the lease, we ended up with very strong cigar smell from a renter in the apt., which we can't get rid of. Any advice? - Julie G.Read Answer
Q. From what I've seen, most cigar humidors have their humidifiers mounted to the lid with the open slots facing downward. My humidor, however, has a glass top and mounting the humidifier in this way somewhat detracts from being able to peer in at the cigars. So, is there a right or wrong location for a humidifier? Does it have to be mounted on the lid or will sufficient moisture be added to the air if, say, the humidifer was simply sitting on the bottom? - Tyler J.Read Answer
Q. I just purchased three boxes of cigars and was about to put them in long term storage, but I'm unsure if I should leave the cello wrapper on the box, and if I should leave the cigars in the factory box while storing. - Josh C.Read Answer
Q. Been smoking one or two cigars a week going on five years. My wife always comments on how bad they smell. Have tried several different of cigar makers. My question is does anyone produce a good smoke that does not smell too bad? - Bill R.Read Answer
Q. I recently purchased a footlocker humidor which can hold 400 cigars (16 boxes). I want to store 7 boxes of high quality cigars. My question is, which is best for aging cigars, keeping them in the original boxes placed in the humidor, or stored loose in the humidor? I have another humidor which holds 100 of my daily smokes which I have loose. - Ray L.Read Answer
Q. Are all Padron cigar sizes box-pressed? I like the taste of Padron very much so I order some from time to time. They always arrive box-pressed. However, in the catalog photos they look round. I like the flavor of Padron cigars but I don't like the feel of a box-pressed cigar in my mouth. - Joe O.Read Answer
Q. I recently purchased a leather travel humidor from Famous Smoke Shop. It's a Firstland International - black, cedar lined. What should I do to prep it? Should I wet a sponge in distilled and place it inside? What about the magnetic humidifier strips? Should I soak those for a certain amount of time? How often should I re-wet them? Thanks. - MarkRead Answer
Q. I recently purchased Rocky Patel's Factory Select 60 and it has a head with a curly type cap. How do you clip these? First one I did as normal but the cigar unwound. I have had the best luck just sniping off the little "knot." It leaves just a small hole and doesn't unravel as much. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you. - Vincent C.Read Answer
Q. I recently purchased the Conquistidor humidor and it seems the hygrometer fluctuates more with surrounding environment then inside humidor. Is this normal? If not, what am I doing wrong? The humidor has been shut for about a week and the needle swings at least 10% RH. Is it just a cheap measuring device or is this normal? It hangs out about 10% above the atmospheric RH. I have about 50 cigars in the plastic wrappers in there, and the box is sealed as best as I can tell. Should I not sweat this and just be patient? Thanks, MattRead Answer
Q. I am told that if you toast a cigar properly, then invert the lit end and place it carefully in your mouth and exhale, the cigar will always burn more cool and be much more tasty. (I actually saw this strange practice at Jimenez on the Rambles in Barcelona.) Is there any truth to this? Thanks, Jonathan P.Read Answer
Q. How can you tell the difference between a strong cigar and a “green” cigar? Will a strong cigar make someone light-headed and a "green" cigar make you nauseous? I had an Indian Tabac Super Fuerte Robusto the other day early in the morning, and it is the first cigar to ever give me a little buzz. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks! -Craig HymanRead Answer
Q. What does "Cuban Sandwich" mean when referring to cigars? I have done internet searches and came up with nothing but recipes. - Brian BuckRead Answer
Q. Hello, I just got into cigar smoking. I smoke a cigar every now and then with friends (1 cigar, 2-3 times a week). Are there any health problems that come with smoking this often and not inhaling? Thanks. - Thomas W.Read Answer
Q. Why are the prices in the magazines so different from the stores? For example, I saw a Fuente Fuente OpusX cigar published at around $11. I can't find them for less than $25. - E. UzzoRead Answer
Q. Two of my favorite cigars are Macanudo Maduro and Don Tomas Cameroon. Is it OK to store them in my humidor naked if there is a divider between them? Or, should I have a humidor for each brand? - Chris B.Read Answer
Q. I live in Phoenix, and temperatures are now getting warmer. I keep my humidors at 70 degrees, however the room temp sometimes gets to 75 or 76. Is the high temp going to be a problem for me? - Chuck T.Read Answer
Q. As a dish of moist salt can be used to calibrate a hygometer, can it be used as a humidifier? For example, a container of salt that has no chemical additives, wet with distilled water. It would be easy to check to see if it needed more water, right? - Joseph V.Read Answer
Q. I would like to know, what is the humidity that I should keep my humidor, and how often should I look at it to check on the humidity? - J. SuarezRead Answer
Q. I've recently just started smoking cigars and have been curious about cigarillos. As none of my friends smoke, I'm without help, so here's the question: Do you cut cigarillos with those large cigar cutters or are smaller ones available? - David K.Read Answer
Q. I bought a 3-cigar leather holder that is Spanish cedar lined. Is there anything I need to do to it before use. Do I need to wet it down, or just leave it the way it came? - Alan S.Read Answer
Q. With all the foam-lined travel humidors today, I have a question about the lack of air movement in these airtight cases. I have been using one for long term storage and am now concerned how long I should leave my more expensive cigars in for. Is it O.K. to use an air tight case for long term storage? - Kevin B.Read Answer
Q. Today I ordered the [Alec Bradley] table top lighter/burner hoping to help me with a problem: I inhale when lighting up cigars, often to the point of coughing, and uncomfortable doing so. I'm thinking of putting the foot right into a larger than usual flame for a quick light instead of pulling it from a distance, rotating etc. Good idea? - Ethan in MassachusettsRead Answer
Q. I like to smoke a variety of cigars. I've been told I shouldn't keep ACID brand cigars in the same humidor as others. Is that true? - D. ColburnRead Answer
Q. I like to smoke a lot of different cigars. I buy samplers and they come with different wrappers. Do I need to separate the different wrappers with cedar strips in my humidor? - Gene in Fremont, CaliforniaRead Answer
Q. I am new to fine cigars. Have been buying off the store shelves. I have the man behind the counter cut the end for me. How much should be cut, or is putting a hole in the end better? I would like to do this myself. Could you recomend a tool for this task? Thank you, DanRead Answer
Q. I have a small humidor (holds 20), and so when I order another box of cigars I don't have enough room. Is it okay to turn the factory cigar box that the cigars come in into a makeshift humidor, or would I be better off doing something else? - Scott in IowaRead Answer
Q. I have a 300 cigar capacity end table style humidor. It has 2 top trays and I use them. I have cigars that I have been aging for 3 yrs in them (trays). I also have about 50 or so Churchill size cigars in the bottom. The rest are assorted sizes. I always wondered who determined what size cigar measured the amount a humidor could hold. M. Martinez, Tulare, CARead Answer
Q. Do you know what the numbers on the back of OpusX boxes mean, like 175 025? It's on one of my boxes and several other boxes, but not all - sometimes in gold, sometimes in black.
The reason why I'm so interested in this is, I would like to know a way of determining from hat year a certain cigar is. In the past I have bought boxes from retailers that were rated 93 points, for example, but were not near this score when I smoked them. So when Cigar Insider tells me to buy an Opus X Robusto 2007 because it's so excellent, how can I be sure?
Thanks, -Bo van LuijtelaarRead Answer
Q. Some of my cigars are coming unrolled as I smoke them. Can you give me some examples as to why this is happening? I am fairly new to this. My humidity in my humidor stays about 60%. Is that good enough, or should I try to get it up to 65 or 70? Thank You, T. HowardRead Answer
Q. I see a lot of foam-lined travel humidors in the cigar catalogs. Seems to me, the foam would act as a DE-humidifing agent, sucking moisture from both the cigars and the humidifing device. Do these things maintain the smokes? - John R. in Daleville, VARead Answer
Q. I am finding that the wrapper of my cigars have been unwrapping after purchase and sitting in my humidor for a few weeks. Any ideas why? I was wondering if the 5-7 shipping was maybe the problem. My humidor is around 62% on an average. - Jerome B. in Pomona, CARead Answer
Q. Good morning Gary, First, I want to tell you what a great business Famous Smoke Shop is, and how much it makes cigar smoking so enjoyable by providing really good cigars, great and accurate descriptions (making choices easy to make) and fair prices and shipping.
My favorites to date are Oliva Serie O and your own Famous Nicaragua 3000. I just won some Tabamex Maduro at auction and I am amazed at their quality.
Now, the question: For Christmas my wife bought me a top of the line Zippo lighter (the kind with the fluid). I've read that this type of lighter taints the flavor of cigars (all I use up to now are wooden matches). I asked her to return it and I tried to explain what I had read. It really is a beautiful lighter. Is there any way of using this lighter? And does it really taint the cigar's flavor?
Thank you and have a very blessed new year, Bob TreharneRead Answer
Q. I have a humidor which holds 100 - 125 cigars. I always like to let my cigars stay in the humidor for a month or so before I smoke them since I think they mellow nicely this way. My question is regarding cellophane wrappers and tubes. I take the cigars out of the wrappers and tubes before putting them into my humidor but wondered if this is necessary or even discouraged. The Partagas Black Label Maximo Tubos definitely smoked different after being in the humidor for some time compared to right out of the tube. I'm not sure they were better. They seemed a bit drier and less flavorful. What's your recommendation?
Q. I have been smoking cigars on occasion for about a year now and have enjoyed a few different shapes, and blends. I just bought some Davidoff Short Perfectos, and I havent smoked a perfecto yet. Is there a specific way to light it that differs from other cigars? - R. ChristensenRead Answer
Q. I had an interesting experience recently when I ordered some Indian Tabac Super Fuerte Maduros, which I liked tremendously, and then ordered the same product with a natural wrapper and found them much too mild. This was a good lesson as to how much the wrapper matters as I assume the filler was the same in both smokes. My question is, how does one discern flavor in a mild cigar? In experiencing the above cigars it seemed to me it was all about flavor, the maduro (strong) had it and the natural (medium body) did not. It may be the case the that I simply don't have an educated pallet but I'm puzzled when you describe a cigar as both mild and flavorful. I'm sure it's me but what's the deal? - Steve K.Read Answer
Q. I have three humidors. When I receive my cigars (Flor De Olivia) from you, I unwrap and place them in a three tiered humi. They are eventually transfered to a two layer humi. Here's my question: When I move the cigars to the final humi., (I call it "the ready to smoke" humi), is it OK to cut or punch the cigars prior to placing them in the "ready to smoke" humidor? I have been doing this, as it makes it easier and quicker to select and lite a cigar. Is this in any way degrading the quality of my smoke? - Bill McGinnisRead Answer
Q. What can I do if someone put a partially smoked cigar in my humidor? It has been open for a couple weeks and I can still smell the aroma of a burnt cigar. - Jeff P.Read Answer
Q. If I have a new box of cigars, should I leave them in the box or remove them from the box and place them in a humidor? Thanks, - Felix GonzalezRead Answer
Q. Gary I enjoy reading your monthly tips; they are very informative. Your recent tip with regard to heat and humidity got me thinking about an equally vexing problem I encounter in the winter time. Our Minnesota winters are cold and dry. With plenty of TLC I can control the humidity at just about any level, but I struggle with the temperature. No matter where I keep them, the best I can do is about 60-65 degrees. My question: What is the proper humidity level if the cigars are going to be at 60-65 degrees fahrenheit. Thanks. - Jim in MinnesotaRead Answer
Q. I have been smoking cigars for a couple years now and I have had a constant problem. Its not a huge problem, more of an annoyance. I have a desktop humidor and a homemade Tupperdor, both in which I use a propylene glycol solution so I don't have to mess with humidity. The thing is the majority of my cigars tend to be a little moist. About 1/4 to 1/2-way through I will have to relight because the middle stays lit but the outside isn't. I usually will have to do this 2-4 times. Is this common with the PG solution? Maybe I smoke them to slow, or is this normal for all cigars? It seems to be worse with very dense cigars like the RP Vintage. I have some Perdomo Cuban Parejo which are quite large and I have to take them out a couple of days ahead to even smoke. I would do this to all but I don't know which I want to smoke from day to day. It's the same with my desktop, which holds about 25 singles, or my Tupperdor which usually has about 12 boxes at any given time. Any suggestions would be appreciated. - Phillip A.Read Answer
Q. Cigars classified as maduro seem to fall in two taste categories: rich and overpowering. I enjoy the rich ones, usually a dark brown wrapper, but the black wrappers seem to mask all other flavors. What wrapper distinctions/descriptions should I be concerned with when choosing Maduros?Read Answer
Q. I am not a regular cigar smoker, so I do not have a humidor. I just bought a couple of boxes from [Famous Smoke Shop] for my wedding in two weeks. One box is the Romeo y Julieta Cedro Delux 1 and I also got the 20 Great cigars and a few other loose ones. I am wondering what would be best for these cigars to prepare them for the wedding. A friend of mine suggested that I can bring them to a proper cigar store and ask if I can store them there. Another friend told me to put the cigars in a Tupperware box with a little bit of water in a small bowl. I went to a small shop, and they suggested a small plastic bowl that they sell to put in the box. (it had a plastic seal that you remove and lasts 30 days) Any suggestions? If I do either, should I unwrap the Romeo y Julieta? The box and the cigars? Thanks for the help. - Greg N.Read Answer
Q. I read a lot of cigar descriptions describing the "finish", a long finish or a short finish. What exactly is a "finish," and what is the difference between "long" and "short?" - Vic VergalitoRead Answer
Q. With the weather being so hot these days, are beetles expected to be a problem? I've never had them, however I now have some humidors in a room that isn't air-conditioned. Are these things that much of a major problem? - Bill W. in PARead Answer
Q. I recently noticed some of my cigars are getting soft, mainly in the center sections (this is very obvious in some of them). I moved my humidor into a cooler part of the house thinking that the temperature might be causing this. It's not unusual for the home to reach 80 degrees inside this time of the year. The humidity in the humidor is pretty constant at 69 or 70% Am I going in the right direction? - Bernard in MichiganRead Answer
Q. Does anyone make a humistat that is guaranteed to be accurate? I have three humidors and 4 different types/brands including digital. I can place all of them in a single humidor and the next day getting a variance of to 10 percent between them? I would buy one that is guaranteed accurate. There must be some out there. Right? - Mel W.Read Answer
Q. In your [Famous Smoke Shop] catalog you refer to the strength of a cigar as "mild to medium" or "mediun to full." What does this mean? Also, does the strength change with the shape of the cigar, or during smoking? -Gene K.Read Answer
Q. What are the pros and cons to keeping your cigars in the refrigerator? How long will the cigars keep? Should I keep them in the Veggie Crisper for humidity? Am I ruining my cigars? - Jacques V.Read Answer
Q. I was at the April 7th La Aurora Cigars tasting event at Famous Smoke Shop when I received several fresh hand rolled cigars. I've smoked some, however I was told that they all should have spent time in my humidor to age. Now, the ones I smoked were good, should I expect them to get better with age, or smoke them now? - Bill WeidnerRead Answer
Q.Does the resulting rectangular or square cross section provide any advantageous difference in the way the cigar smokes (or ages)? - Ben Olsen Jr.Read Answer
Q. Is a dark natural like the natural leafs just darker, or is it more of a maduro type. Will it be oily like a maduro? Just purchased some of the Olor Fuertes and think they taste great, but when someone asks me if its a maduro, I don't really know what to tell them. Your clarification would be a lot of help to me. Thanks, Ed S.Read Answer
Q. My question is about the size and shape of cigars. For example, does a Churchhill smoke better than a Toro? Do they all smoke, taste and burn the same? - Brian RenziRead Answer
Q. Lately I've gotten into smoking the Java Claro Wafe and Acid Wafe cigars because I like the shape. The only problem I seem to have with them is when it comes to clipping. I've been using a double blade cutter, but because of the flatness of the cigar, sometimes it's hard to get it in just the right position to get the right cut. Any suggestions? - Robert in PennsylvaniaRead Answer
Q. I'm heading off to Iraq for my anual summer vacation in a couple of days. My humidors have a habit of meeting horrible fates there - and worse still their contents. I've got a large Lexan mason type jar that's nearly bullet proof. But I'm still concerned about my cigars drying out like an Amish wedding every time I open it. Any thoughts on how I can take better care of them? Even if they could be replaced, the mail out where I'm going is slow at best and I don't envision you guys opening a store there any time soon. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, RobbyRead Answer
Q. I'm in Geneva, and went into a cigar merchant here today – got a lot of good deals. Unfortunately, the one item I was looking for was disappointing – the Bolivar Royal Coronas. They had them, but the cigars at the edge of each box had a light sprinkling of some sort of white mold on parts that touched the side of the box.
The merchant just dusted them off and assured me they were OK (he actually had a paintbrush handy for just this!). However, as they are on the expensive side (about $200/box USD) and obviously can’t be returned, I didn’t want to take the chance.
I have never seen this before. Should I be concerned, or should I just go ahead and get them anyway?
- Dan G.Read Answer
Q. My humidity was around 80% for a spell (because I failed to pay attention) and a few cigars seemed softer than usual. Have I ruined them or will they be OK after I have brought the humidity back to where it should be? Maybe I should let them sit outside humidor before smoking? Will it affect the taste? - Joseph H. ThielRead Answer
Q. I recently purchased an end table cabinet humidor. I use a Cigar Oasis XL Plus to humidify it. My question is, can I store smaller 25-count humidors inside the cabinet humidor? And if I can, do I need to put a humidor device in each humidor, or will the humidity from the cigar Oasis do the trick for everything. So far I've asked 10 people and got 10 different answers...HELP. Thanks, John P.Read Answer
Q. Recently I noticed that lid of my cigar humidor was not opening and closing properly. When I checked the back of the box, I saw that the pin that holds one of the hinges together was missing. I looked everywhere for it, but no luck. (Maybe my wife vacuumed it up.) It's not an expensive box, but it does the job. If I re-position the hinge just right, the humidor keeps its seal. Since I don't want to replace the hinge or the humidor right now, any suggestions? - Bill in North CarolinaRead Answer
Q. I read somewhere that overruns and seconds need to be aged up to 6 months before they can be a good smoke. The article said that when sticks are not picked as firsts they are bundled up immediately and sold, therefore they do not get aged. Because they are not aged they still contain ammonia or other chemicals that make for a harsh smoke. Is this true?Read Answer
Q. I smoke most of my cigars while walking the golf course. With few exceptions I find that the wrapper does not burn properly - the filler burns but the wrapper does not. The result is the cigar loses the flavor of the wrapper and the cigar continually goes out. I know that I tend to smoke them fast but even when I smoke them slowly - drawing only every one to two minutes the cigar still goes out. It does not seem to matter the brand of cigar. I smoke cigars that include Excalibur, Hamilton, Padron, Arturo Fuente Curly Heads, Bauza, Sancho Panza, El Rey del Mundo, etc. Any suggestions? - RickRead Answer
Q. I'm waiting for my El Credito Super Habanero Maduros to arrive, which obviously have been on frozen trucks for the past week. How susceptible to freeze damage are cigars? Thanks, Steve in Austin, TexasRead Answer
Q. If you put cigars in the newest craze, The Food Saver, will they keep, and if so, for how long? (This is a vacuum pack machine that claims to maintain freshness a lot longer). Will they still be required to store in a humidor? Also, can you freeze cigars, and if so, for how long, and will it affect the quality? - Larry E.Read Answer
Q. I purchased a cigar jar humidor. I set it up as instructed and added distilled water hoping the cigar jar will do its thing. A few days later mold was all over my cigars and in my jar. I assume my jar is no longer usable since their is mold content within it. Now I have about 6 cigars that are completely ruined as well. - Brian G.Read Answer
Q. I don't smoke in the house, or my car, so I'm going to have a problem when the weather turns too cold for me to sit in my yard. There's a cigar store near where I live which I visit occasionally. The people at the store are nice enough, but my question is, since I will probably have to go to the store in order to smoke in the winter, is it bad manners to bring a cigar with me, or should I only smoke something I buy there?
- J.M.Read Answer
Q. What's the deal with box-formed or square cigars? I'm new to good cigars and tried (and enjoyed) CAO Cameroon Churchills. The shape kind of threw me though.
Thanks, Tim B.Read Answer
Q. I have several digital hygrometers from many different manufacturers. Why is there so much variation in the readings among each. If I place 2 or 3 in my humidor, the reading usually vary quite a bit. Any suggestions?
- Bob B., Andover, KSRead Answer
Q. How much of the tip (cap) of the cigar should be cut off with the cutter? I've seen some who just cut off the very tip and others who cut off quite a bit.Read Answer
Q. I read some where that overruns and seconds need to be aged up to 6 months before they can be a good smoke. The article said that when sticks are not picked as firsts they are bundled up immediately and sold, therefore they do not get aged. Because they are not aged they still contain ammonia or other chemicals that make for a harsh smoke. Is this true?Read Answer
Q. A gentleman wrote-in stating he had ordered a box of a well-known premium cigar brand that was described as "long filler." After smoking one, he unraveled it and found what he described as, "some short pieces and some pieces that are about an inch long. You may want to look into this."Read Answer
Q. Is it okay to keep cigars in their box, with the cello still on the box, for a period of time if I don't have room in my humidor? A friend got me some cigars for my upcoming birthday and didn't know that my humidor was too full to handle them. - Tony L.Read Answer
Q. What is the origin and definition of Cohiba?
We know that the "cohiba" plant is native to Cuba and that Columbus spread the news upon his return to Europe from the Americas in 1492. Since the word cohiba is not a Spanish word, it must be a Taino dialect. But what is the literal translation?
- Ron NishimotoRead Answer
Q. I find that I smoke cigars fast, I seem to puff on them rather hard and fast. I can smoke one much faster then my roommate can smoke an identical one.
What I find is that my cigar starts turning acidy much faster. Aside from slowing my style down, I was wondering if there is any other suggestions you can make.
Thanks,
Tim K.Read Answer
Q. I just saw a rather lengthy biography of Winston Churchill. In it were many shots of him smoking his famous cigars, which seemed to me were the same size, color, and texture. He obviously stuck to only one cigar over the years. So, I was wondering if you have any authoritative information about his cigars such as length, ring size, strength, filler, binder, wrapper, manufacturer, and supplier. Learning the details of his favorite cigar will help me round out my study of this great statesman. Thanks for any help.
- Ken R. (Riverside, CA)Read Answer
Q. I have several Romeo y Julieta and Partagas as well as maybe 25 or 30 different Fuente Fuente OpusX cigars that are either in cedar-lined aluminum tubes or glass tubes. I took the Cubans out of their tubes when I put them in my larger humidor, but left the Fuente OpusX cigars in the glass tubes with the end plug/piece removed (it is a smaller count humidor that has ONLY Fuente OpusX cigars in it.) Is this a good way of storing or not? Thanks for your advice, as I have heard both sides of the argument. - RickRead Answer
Q. I have some cigars that get what I would describe as liquid nicotine at the mouth after only smoking a couple inches of it? Am I over humidifiying or what else would cause this very bitter brown liquid that ruins the cigar? It doesn't happen with all cigars out of the same humidor, but can it be with cigars out of the same box? Thanks, RoyRead Answer
Q. I followed the standard procedures on how to prepare a humidor prior to initial use, but I was unable to calibrate my hygrometer. I have a box-type humidor with the hygrometer inset into the front of the box. it doesn't seem to come out without prying it out and I'm afraid I will damage my humidor if I try to pry it out.
My humidity has slowly risen to 90% over the last 2 weeks since I prepped it and began using it. it stabilized at about 72% before I put any cigars in it. I put approx 50 cigars inside and it continued to rise. I put a small dish with rice in it about 8 days ago at 80% and then added about 100 more cigars about 5 days ago, but it is still rising.
My cigars seem fine and I haven't seen any signs of mold or swelling, but I am still concerned as I have about $600 dollars worth of cigars in there.
Please tell me what you think or suggest. - Jason B.Read Answer
Q. How can you see what constitutes a milder cigar? Can you tell by the wrapper color or is it the tobacco inside? I am currently smoking a box of Punch Rare Corojo. They are rather harsh and leave me with a burned tongue tip. I have in the recent past smoked a box of Zino Connoisseurs and they were a much more satisfying smoke. I now only smoke about two cigars a week. Please steer me in the right direction to a cigar that is in the same price range. - R. SchillingRead Answer
Q. What is the difference between the Excalibur #1, #2, #3 etc., besides the actual size. If the blend is the same, why do the ratings vary so much. Just curious. Thanks, Tim M.Read Answer
Q.My wife doesn't appreciate me smoking cigars in the house. Is there a smokeless ashtray or any other smoke sucking machine to buy? The winter is starting to set-in and I need to smoke & enjoy my "gars" in the comforts of my home and not freeze outside or in the garage. Any suggestions? Desperate to smoke in, Howard JacobsRead Answer
Q. Smoked an Onyx Belicoso No.2 (7" x 52) last night. Problem: hard to draw. Is that normal or does it mean it's not mature yet? Also, how much do you clip off the end of torpedos & Belicosos (pointed end cigars)? [I find it] hard to draw on them. Is a slow draw natural? And one more question: When clipping a cigar, if the wrapper cracks, does that mean its old & dry? Thanks, Steven NewburghRead Answer
Q. If all other things are equal, tobacco blend, binder, wrapper, age, how does the shape of a cigar affect the smoking experience? - Bob PlettaRead Answer
Q & A with Gary
