Mold or Plume?

[Vitola]

just inspecting some stock and came across this box of 5 Reyes

is it mold or plume? there is no aroma coming from the cigar when you smell the wrapper. Can they be saved or just bad luck?

[gojira]

Plume has been invented by cigar stores to sell moldy cigars.

Just wipe them off and quarantaine them for a month. If the mold didn't come back you can put them back with the general population.

You might wanna check your RH. Lower it to 65% if possible.

[Vitola]

I only brought these only in the last week, they were in their own individual boxes of 5 and I had them in a humibag with a few other boxes and a 69% Boveda pack. All the other boxes look fine.
what do I wipe them down with?

[Alexw33]

Definitely mould... it’s always mould. Just wipe them clean and make sure your RH/Temp isn’t too high. If they are stored correctly chances are it won’t return.

Also I’m guessing these came in the cardboard pack? Don’t put them back in, in my limited experience cardboard packs (and tubes) are quite susceptible.

[gojira]

I only brought these only in the last week, they were in their own individual boxes of 5 and I had them in a humibag with a few other boxes and a 69% Boveda pack. All the other boxes look fine.
what do I wipe them down with?

They were already moldy when you received them then.

Just clean them with a soft brush or cloth.

[mcdee]

If you bought them recently from a UK supplier they may replace them for you if you highlight the issue to them.

[ha_banos]

Or they may just fob you off with the plume story. But at least you have a head start. Definitely worth a try though.

Advice here. Always immediately check whatever you buy. Boxes, tubes, 5/3 packs, singles! If you can't check it before you buy it that is.



Sent from the interwebz

[Vitola]

So is the plume story just a complete load of ‘tosh’ then to just sell cigars?

[Vitola]

Or they may just fob you off with the plume story. But at least you have a head start. Definitely worth a try though.

Advice here. Always immediately check whatever you buy. Boxes, tubes, 5/3 packs, singles! If you can't check it before you buy it that is.



Sent from the interwebz

Yes they fobbed me off with the “wonderful” plume story
They were actually brought from the sponsors of this forum

[ha_banos]

Well the good thing about cgars is they do have a customer guarantee. It's of course up to you if you wish to pursue it

https://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/customer-service/guarantee.htm

* In the event of a customer being dissatisfied with their purchase the order can be returned within 30 days for full credit or refund provided that the item is unused and in original packaging. Cigars, Humidors and Accessories must be returned undamaged. For the sake of clarity where we have supplied an item in perfect condition and the customer wishes to return it as they have changed their mind, this is no problem at all however we stress that the item must be returned in perfect and undamaged condition otherwise we will be unable to make a refund and the customer would need to make an insurance claim on their insurance. Please note that we cannot refund any postage and packing on returned items.

Sent from the interwebz

[Shaun]

Well the good thing about cgars is they do have a customer guarantee. It's of course up to you if you wish to pursue it

https://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/customer-service/guarantee.htm

* In the event of a customer being dissatisfied with their purchase the order can be returned within 30 days for full credit or refund provided that the item is unused and in original packaging. Cigars, Humidors and Accessories must be returned undamaged. For the sake of clarity where we have supplied an item in perfect condition and the customer wishes to return it as they have changed their mind, this is no problem at all however we stress that the item must be returned in perfect and undamaged condition otherwise we will be unable to make a refund and the customer would need to make an insurance claim on their insurance. Please note that we cannot refund any postage and packing on returned items.

Sent from the interwebz

They also say THIS

[ha_banos]

They also say THIS

Lol. I'm just saying ultimately they offer the return anyway.

Even if the product is in this beautiful perfect, desirable, plumey state. But you _still_ don't want it.



Sent from the interwebz

[ValeTudoGuy]

Im with everyone else, it's Mold. I did try to get some Cigars tested a while back by a few renowned scientists, but it hard going to get tobacco tested in UK labs for one and harder still finding someone with the equipment, funding and interest.

However.... Having corresponded with a couple of top tier scientists who deal with bottany and mycology, I have little hope of mythical plume being real.

It's far more likely to be fungal.... There is also a real chance of it being pretty undesirable to inhale and dont think burning will suffice either.

1: You are still inhaling spores from parts or the cigar which have not yet burned.

2: Many mold spores need to be exposed to high temperature's for 20+ minutes to be destroyed.

[ValeTudoGuy]

Incase anyone is interested

"Aspergillus fumigatus" is the most likely contender for the fungal infection of the tobacco.

[grumpybaldy]

GENTLEMEN, GENTLEMEN...

Remember, it's only 'mold' if you're American; to us it's 'mould', unless it's the town in North Wales...or unless you really are American, in which case drool at these Cubans from afar, mo(u)ldy or not!