Split Foot

Smoked a couple of Torano Tributes 2004 last week and decided to get a box. They came today. Nice box with a humipack in them, #443 of 1200. But about 6 or 7 sticks have split starting at the foot, maybe 1/2 to 1 inch. The rest of the cigar looks fine. Is it temperature or humidity that causes the foot to split? Should I smoke them (after an appropriate rest) or send them back.

Personally, I'd send 'em back. I've received smokes from guys and the odd one had a split foot, maybe due to rough handling in the mail or a long time out of the cello and getting shuffled alot. I still smoked 'em, but with a couple of burn issues. But if you paid for 'em, I'd suggest a call to the store and explain, and insist they take them back at their cost.

It's a combination of the two. The humi-pack with the torano's is a 69% pack (I think) but either way if they were stored at a lower temp prior to shipment for a while so the RH regulated to the ambient temp, then moved into a much hotter area, say a delivery truck or un air-conditioned transfer station, the rapid increase in temp would drive the RH up quickly and could cause the split.

As for sending them back, if the split goes through the binder I would, if it's just the wrapper I probably wouldn't. But that's just preference, other may feel different and I can certainly understand why. I would let the vendor know, however, because they may request the return. Or possibly hook you up somehow. When you notify them, do it via email and send a photo of the split cigars.