Since I'm just beginning to find my way around CCs in general a question for the masters...

All but one of the CCs I've smoked to-date have had an almost impossibly firm draw - not unlike trying to smoke a cork.

I keep my humis at 65% RH, and let new smokes rest for at least a month before smoking.

I've found this to be consistent across multiple vitolas - Siglo IIs, Monte Edmundos, Esplendidos and some others. The lone exception so far was a well-aged Bolivar PC I received in a PIF (thanks, JayBarbour!).

Using a poker really helps, but I'm wondering if a longer rest would help, or if I should drop the RH down a few points?

I've discovered and thoroughly enjoy that distinct CC flavor, but the draw issues really interfere with my enjoyment.

So - what am I doing wrong?



Thanks!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CrazyPoet,

That is really strange. I've personally had the opposite experience, I honestly can't recall the last time I had a draw issue with a habano. I also keep my humi at 65%. The questions that I would be asking myself are; Is my hygrometer correct? (which if it was that far off you'd probably notice the cigars feeling spongy) and Are my smokes authentic? I've smoked young habanos as well and I haven't had issues that bad. I sympathize because that situation must really be frustrating.

Also, you may not be doing ANYTHING wrong. I'd be on the phone with my vendor if it persists.

Thanks!

I've got some more resting in the humi (from two different well-recommended vendors).

I'll see how they do over the next few months...

What are you using for a hygrometer?
If it is an analog, that could be your problem, they are notoriously innacurate.

Your experience is unusual, and points to either a storage or authenticity problem. Are you sure you're at 65% RH?

I'd say that I get one plugged cigar in fifty, tops.

Try lowering your humidity a few %, and leave it for a couple of weeks. See if that solves the problem.

Kechke - I use Cigar Oasis Ultras in my desktop humis and an XL plus in the coolerdor - all set to 65%

(edited to remove typos caused by thumb-typing on a [Expletive Deleted] Blackberry...)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CrazyPoet,

Cigar Oasis is overkill in a desktop humidor, in my opinion.

I'd switch to cat litter beads to keep the humidity down to about 62%.

I did have draw issues with some CC's like Punch and Diplo, but that was only on these two occasions, and nothing like that with Montes or Siglos or even the very tightly packed RyJ Belicoso that I had today.
How long your patience lasted before you smoked that PIFed Boli? I mean if you smoked it without keeping it long in your humi and it was the only one with good draw, then maybe really the problem is in the humis? Maybe they were secretly tampered with by OFAC to keep you away from illegal stuff?!

If you are relying on your Oasis for your humidity readings that could be your problem. I know that my Oasis is about 10% off. You definitely need a digital that has been salt tested.

Be aware also that even digital hygrometers can be way off. I recently salt tested four digital hygrometers of the same make together. Only one showed the correct RH. The other three were off by as much as ten points.

Personally, I've had draw issues in the past with CC's when I THOUGHT the RH was right, but, in fact, wasn't. Depending on the size of your humidor, try some Boveda 65% packs. I swear by these, living in a terribly dry climate as I do. Most of the draw problems have disappeared since switching to these exclusively. (Note: with a wooden humidor, as opposed to plastic, the RH with a Boveda 65% pack is actually about 63% - ideal for Habanos.)

Thanks all - looks like I need to calibrate the oasis units and see how things go from there.

Thanks for the feedback!

quote:

Originally posted by Scottological:
Depending on the size of your humidor, try some Boveda 65% packs. I swear by these, living in a terribly dry climate as I do. Most of the draw problems have disappeared since switching to these exclusively. (Note: with a wooden humidor, as opposed to plastic, the RH with a Boveda 65% pack is actually about 63% - ideal for Habanos.)

I've also switched to using the Boveda packs exclusively for desktop humis as well. They are maintenance and worry-free, and I've found they last longer than the manufacturer says. You can tell they are getting old by feeling for crystallization inside. The 65% is the way to go.

I use boveda packs in my travel humis (five and fifteen-count herfadors) I'll take a look at using them for the desktops as well.

Thanks again for the feedback!

Check the humidity again if all checks out you might want to check your source as well.

Then again, a lot could depend on the vintage. I notice smokes from 00 and 01 smoking like crap, frankly, with a ton of draw issues. I've also had problems with some narrow ring-gauge dalias/lonsdales.

I'm calibrating one of my digital hygrometers now, and I'll use it to calibrate the Oasis units in each humi.

I'll post the results later...

Once again, thanks for all the feedback!

quote:

Originally posted by CrazyPoet:
I'm calibrating one of my digital hygrometers now, and I'll use it to calibrate the Oasis units in each humi.

I'll post the results later...

Once again, thanks for all the feedback!

Bingo - it was the Hygrometers in the Oasis units. Of my three Oasis Ultras, two were reading ten points low. So having them set at 65% was actually running the humis at 75%.

I'll check the XL Plus today.

This just reinforces the point that it doesn't matter whether your hygrometer is digital or analog - if it's not calibrated, it's useless.

Greetings all, So I can safely assume the general consensus is the Boveda 65%'s are the way to go? Unfortunately I have 10 72%'s already on the way (2 month supply), guess I'll know better with next reorder.

quote:

Originally posted by Lagerman64:
Greetings all, So I can safely assume the general consensus is the Boveda 65%'s are the way to go? Unfortunately I have 10 72%'s already on the way (2 month supply), guess I'll know better with next reorder.

That would be a big 10-4



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