Quality Control

[TonyN]

Why is it even though every cuban cigar goes through a quality control check such as length guage
and through what is known as a draw master do we still get plugged ones now and then
surely they should be rejected when going through the draw check if the draw isen't what it should be
or do you think they turn a blind eye otherwise there would be too many rejected cigars.

[cigarmo]

I dont think every cigar is tested in the machine only a random selection from each batch

[sheppsea]

I dont think every cigar is tested in the machine only a random selection from each batch

I thought that they were all test (but I must admit this was an assumption so may well be wrong). They also use the machine before the wrapper is applied (there obviously can't be a cap there for the machine to work!) which may also be a problem?

I must admit I very rarely get a plugged cigar, the draw isn't always perfect, but its rarely unsmokeable, and generally the plugged ones have been from around the turn of the millennium

[cigarmo]

Yes thats right the draw test is done without the wrapper, I imagine its so not to waste wrapper leaves

[TonyN]

Makes me wonder if the rollers get some kind of punishment like reduced wages if they roll too many rejected cigars.
If that is the case would we then get cigars that are underfilled to not risk rejection.

[ValeTudoGuy]

I think the punishment is a week smoking only Guanotanameras

[TonyN]

If thats the case think i'd get my act together and start rolling good ones rather than smoke guntanamera for a whole week

[butternutsquashpie]

in a perfect world, all cigars are draw tested.

in reality and practice, the Cubans have a quota to fill every week, month, or period of time. they really can't bother with immense quality control when their [literal] masters need cigars and need them now.

Even if the draws were plugged, what would they do? reroll it? but that would produce an unflattering foot that doesn't look nice. And isn't appearances what gets people to buy those cigars in the first place?
The average cigar smoker - and even the seasoned cigar smoker - doesn't go around to every LGC 4 and feel for the area above the caps. They don't check the foot and cap meticulously for plugs.
All they do is make a judgement call on the wrapper, see if the cigar can 'stand up by itself', and read the word 'Cohiba'.

A cigar that looks good is much more important than a cigar that draws good - let alone tastes good.
But unfortunately, the most important thing is the existence of cigars. And a lot of them.

[Simon Bolivar]

Makes me wonder if the rollers get some kind of punishment like reduced wages if they roll too many rejected cigars.
If that is the case would we then get cigars that are underfilled to not risk rejection.

Tony, You'll be glad to hear the Rollers do get 'punished.' When the lady with the draw tester fails a cigar, she breaks it up & send sit back to the Roller (the tray of their offerings is numbered so they know who rolled them). They only get paid per stick that's accepted not an hrly rate. So it's not in their interests to over fill cigars or try to rush the rolling. Having said that, they have good & bad days at work just like we do & not every stick is tested but for the high end brands, the percentage is high (I saw Trini's being made, tested & occasionally rejected).

[Andy 84]

I would have thought the exchange of moisture between leaves and the fermentation after rolling and pressing would alter the cigar quite significantly between testing and being smoked. Also, I'm sure at the Montecristo factory, the QA tester sits and reads the newspaper instead of doing any testing!

[monkey66]

I would have thought the exchange of moisture between leaves and the fermentation after rolling and pressing would alter the cigar quite significantly between testing and being smoked. Also, I'm sure at the Montecristo factory, the QA tester sits and reads the newspaper instead of doing any testing!

I think this is important to recognise. The cigar is going to change.

Good NC's have better consistency when it comes to draw and general QC. This is partly down to erring towards a looser draw than the perfect 'Cuban draw'.

[Smallclub]

I would have thought the exchange of moisture between leaves and the fermentation after rolling and pressing would alter the cigar quite significantly between testing and being smoked. Also, I'm sure at the Montecristo factory, the QA tester sits and reads the newspaper instead of doing any testing!

The draw test is performed just after the rolling, but the final QC and smoking test is carried on cigars that have rested.

And there is no "Montecristo factory". Montecristo are rolled and boxed in numerous factories.

[Smallclub]

Good NC's have better consistency when it comes to draw and general QC. This is partly down to erring towards a looser draw than the perfect 'Cuban draw'.

Based on the modest amount of NCs I smoke, I have noticed a change in this trend, with Oliva serie V, Illusione, Tatuaje… or maybe I've been lucky…

[Sean]

Ye come to think of it i havnt had a poor constructed NC


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[ValeTudoGuy]

I have had terrible burning NC's...