Am I Killing My Cigars?

[Cigar_Addict]

Most of the cigars I've smoked in the last few months havent tasted great. It's happening too often to think I'm getting duds. Even cigars that loved before (CAO Brazilia Samba) are now tasting a bit bitter. They're not completely unsmokable, but they're not like they used to be. I store all in tupperware with Boveda/Integra Boost packs and the humidity is stable, and are kept in the coolest room in the house.

I have occasionally rehydrated bovedas with distilled or deionised water & singles are largely kept separate from boxes. I check humidity before I smoke & all are around 63-65% at the foot

I use the same jet lighter filled with butane (albeit a bit old) as I had a couple of cans of it. I've tried occasionally lighting with long matches but no difference. I've tried dry boxing some to sub 60's also

Either my palate is completely shot (I can taste all other flavours in food & drinks), or I'm doing something wrong. Maybe cigars are just not for me.

[BullittBoy]

I am going to be very honest.. when I smoke cigars I taste smoke.. and not much else. Sometimes I like it and sometimes it is bitter and like a bonfire. But I don’t smoke very often - once a month unless on holiday.

Weird if your palate has changed though.. may cut out the rehydration of pack just in case something is going wrong.. and maybe light using a yellow flame (difficult sometimes I know) but I also find they taste better with matches etc instead of a scorching torch.. do you toast it first, retrohale etc.?

Also what are you pairing them with? How are you cutting them? I now only V-cut Piramides and punch cut everything else as I find I get a better draw.

Probably none of this will help - but I am sorry to hear you are not enjoying them!