Plugged Cigars

[ACMCC]

I find gentle massage works better when it's warmed up... less danger of cracking the wrapper, I have a small humi for tightish Cubans that I run at 64% and when I get a tightish one (pre draw) I pop in in there for 2/3 months....very tight one's have a large stainless paper clip up the jacksie and are put in with paper clip installed...couple of months they are normally fine.

[68TriShield]

More often than not,it goes in the dustbin.
I will say recent vintage Cubans have been a marked improvement construction wise over years past.
A scant few have been too plugged to smoke lately.

[saggel]

I am just massaging it. Never needlework!

[tippexx]

Look in the missus's needlework box .... I've nicked a 5 inch stiletto of a jobby which would proberbly un-plug a panatelas!

[TeeEmmBee]

Thanks for the advice - will ty giving it a good massage followed by a stiff poking next time I get a plugged one!

[Vision]

I massage and use a small drill bit. Am curious about the draw poker.

[cj121]

Yes, jab it up the exhaust, and the front end if you need/want to.

I use a long-ish very thin (2mm) electrical screwdriver, which I've sharpened to a point.

Works very well, and you can feel where things get tight along the length as you insert it. ooh matron

[SeanP]

I find using a large unbent paperclip works well too. I usually straighten it out to the second bend and use the 'inner' bent portion of the clip for a handle so I can spin it around in there a bit.

But as Mr. White said, it is no good plugged so don't be afraid of giving it a good poke (insert joke here)

[Mr_White]

Yeah, poking stuff inside it or perhaps gentle massage/rolling between your fingers.

Bugger a gentle massage, it's not worth smoking if it's plugged, I do it as hard as I can to try and unplug the thing, it's wasted if you don't succeed anyway, stuff being gentle , along with the skewer/tooth pick method of course

[daverave999]

Yeah, poking stuff inside it or perhaps gentle massage/rolling between your fingers. A lot more difficult once it's lit so worthwhile checking before you light.

[Boss Hog]

I have a very small skewer, (well thats what the wife tells me)

You have to be spot on with it or you'll stab it out the side and then your knackered.
Failing that as Kdot mentioned the draw poker is a good tool.

[Kdot]

take a tooth pick and stab that bitch up the jacksie as far as it will go, to make it draw better or you could always invest in a draw poker, think they're about ?20

[TeeEmmBee]

Can I ask what wrinkles or remedies, if any, you more experienced cigar smokers have for the occassionally encountered 'plugged' cigar? There's nothing more infuriating than going through the anticipation of a fine cigar and then finding its a real hard drag! I usually try to finish the thing rather than waste it but there's little enjoyment.