Dry cigars

[jimmy_g32]

How do you recognise a cigar that hasn't been properly stored, in terms of humidity? Other than having a dry (crisp?) texture, are there any telltale signs? What would the flavour be like?

Any ideas very welcome!

[Simon-JG-hr]

Firstly there is the 'squeeze test' whereby, unsurprisingly, you squeeze the cigar gently between your fingers. Common practice is to do so just below the band. You want it to be slightly springy, but still relatively firm. If it is hard, then it is likely too dry.

As for actually smoking the thing. Well... if it is dry, but actually tastes good, who cares... However, that's not often going to be the case. A dry cigar will burn quite hot, and quite quickly. This will usually lead to a slightly acrid flavour.

[jimmy_g32]

Thanks. It's the acridity (if that's a word) I was musing over. I bought a couple of singles from a dodgy looking humidor in a small shop. I smoked half of a punch petit corona before I gave up on it. It felt OK before smoking and burnt faster than expected, but not so fast that it was hot, BUT there was a slightly unpleasant acrid taste to it. A shop to avoid, methinks, which is a shame as they have a nice selection of pipe tobacco and I is my only "local" tobacconist.

[TJCoro]

The Ultimate Dry Stogie Test!

T It felt OK before smoking and burnt faster than expected, but not so fast that it was hot, BUT there was a slightly unpleasant acrid taste to it.

Well senor lil' jimmy, it appears that you may have discovered the hard way how to determine if a cigar is dry or was not properly stored.

The ultimate test for me is to spark it up. If it explodes upon ignition and burns my nose hair, it's probably a wee bit dry

Names TJ, TJCoro, and I use the squeeze test on my fine puros

[whisky77]

Foot!!!

I usually try and squeeze the foot, it should be reasonably springy and should regain its original shape quickly.

Unfortunately a lot of it is down to experience in being able to tell the good from the bad.
As TJ said , the best way to determine if it has not been stored correctly is to fire it up.

[misterbulgarin]

Ive found I also check the foot, when things start to get a bit rigid, up the humidity!

[Paulie]

I usually check the whole cigar before lighting up. As other people have mentioned, there is a sping in it which usually tells me it is ok. I also dry draw after clipping and have found it helps me determine the condition based on how well or easy it draws unlit. Drier sticks seem to dry draw more loose.

[cj121]

What would the flavour be like?
Any ideas very welcome!

They'd taste like sh!te jimmy. Acrid is a common description as
above (and noted by your good self): twangy, funky and unpleasant.

[Irvine Corwin]

How do you recognise a cigar that hasn't been properly stored, in terms of humidity? Other than having a dry (crisp?) texture, are there any telltale signs? What would the flavour be like?

Any ideas very welcome!

The dry cigars are then carefully rotated every two to three days as you take your box dry cigars with you every time you take your hot shower for a period of two weeks. You can then place the restored cigars in a well maintained humidor to prevent them from drying up again.

S.Mani