Bitterness

[Dmitri]

You said it had plume on it? Looks like your humidity is off.

[Cohibanut]

Surely plume is a good thing?

[Dmitri]

I don't know if it is good, but it isn't necessarily bad, it just forms when some of the tobacco's oils rise to the surface.

[Cohibanut]

Hm. I thought it was a good thing and showed that a cigar was ageing nicely.

[Hugh Jorgan]

You said it had plume on it? Looks like your humidity is off.

Plume is a good thing , as long as you had plume and not mold.

Do you have a hygrometer in you tupperdor?

[Cohibanut]

I don't I'm afraid. I think you're right. I need to get myself one. The thing is I only smoke around 2 cigars a month so never thought it worth it to buy a proper humidor. In the light of what happened on saturday I may need to invest in one.

Do you think the bitterness could be linked to humidity level? It burned perfectly though and the taste was perfect for the first half. Really odd.

[Hugh Jorgan]

I don't I'm afraid. I think you're right. I need to get myself one. The thing is I only smoke around 2 cigars a month so never thought it worth it to buy a proper humidor. In the light of what happened on saturday I may need to invest in one.

Do you think the bitterness could be linked to humidity level? It burned perfectly though and the taste was perfect for the first half. Really odd.

It could be a number of factors, but improper storage is the most likely reason IMO. Even if you are only smoking a few cigars a month, the cost of a hyrometer is minimal.

Western Caliber III: http://www.bargainhumidors.com/bh/Pr...d=ACC-CALIBER3
$19.99 plus shipping

Little Havana: http://www.littlehavanacigars.com/pr...?prod=HY1062LT
$17.95 with free shipping!

I have a number of Western Caliber II hygrometers (the older model) and have had a few issues with them. I have heard excellent things about the new Little Havana hygrometer and would probably give that a shot next.

[Cohibanut]

It could be a number of factors, but improper storage is the most likely reason IMO. Even if you are only smoking a few cigars a month, the cost of a hyrometer is minimal.

Western Caliber III: http://www.bargainhumidors.com/bh/Pr...d=ACC-CALIBER3
$19.99 plus shipping

Little Havana: http://www.littlehavanacigars.com/pr...?prod=HY1062LT
$17.95 with free shipping!

I have a number of Western Caliber II hygrometers (the older model) and have had a few issues with them. I have heard excellent things about the new Little Havana hygrometer and would probably give that a shot next.

Thanks for the tip!

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Doesn't four months seem like way too short of time to develop bloom, but plenty of time to grow mold?

[stjohnroe]

I've seen bloom in that amount of time before, remember we are talking about quality cigars here and you have to take into account the storage that occorred before they were purchased, they may have already been just on the edge of blooming. How do the other gigars in the 'dor look?

[Cohibanut]

Doesn't four months seem like way too short of time to develop bloom, but plenty of time to grow mold?

Hi, it was definitely bloom. Not mold.


"the bloom/plume i think was separate from the fact that you just happened to get some badly fermented tobacco leaves where the ammonia wasnt fully gone from it."


This is a good point. Thanks.

[stjohnroe]

I have always used the term bloom myself. I dont think the the bitterness is connected to this anyway, I think it was probably a construction fault and something other than the best tobacco got in at some point. The thing to remember is that they are hand made and mistakes do occur, even in the production of the very best cigars.
I found a piece of string in an HLP (while cutting, pulled it out and smoked it anyway) once.
Did you take the cigar apart after it went out, sometimes this can be be quite enlightening.
On the subject of 'dors, definately worth investing in something a bit more sophisticated, and I find a hygrometer is essential.