Discolored Dot on my Cigar?

**godfather** · 11-01-2005, 06:57 PM

I was browsing Moki's Fuente page and noticed this:

http://www.ambrosiasw.com/~andrew/ra...s/Image98.html

If you look at the 'robusto,' you'll notice towards the right (almost in the middle) there's a discolored dot on the wrapper.

What exactly is this (don't say it's a beetle :P)? I've seen this on a few of my cigars before and was curious. Thanks for any insight...

**Drake** · 11-01-2005, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by godfather

I was browsing Moki's Fuente page and noticed this:

http://www.ambrosiasw.com/~andrew/ra...s/Image98.html

If you look at the 'robusto,' you'll notice towards the right (almost in the middle) there's a discolored dot on the wrapper.

What exactly is this (don't say it's a beetle :P)? I've seen this on a few of my cigars before and was curious. Thanks for any insight...

i have some punch ISOMs that have that on them. i thought that's what people call plume, but i could easily be wrong

**godfather** · 11-01-2005, 07:10 PM

Hmm...from my understanding, plume is the powdery residue that can be easily brushed off. That dot is permanently on the wrapper and cannot be removed.

**TheSilentChamber** · 11-01-2005, 07:14 PM

Its just discoloration of the leaf. I forget the technial name but I remember studieing it in horticulture. Its usually caused by fungus while the plant is growing. It should be harmless now.

And yes plume is a greyish white powdery substance that can easly be brushed off. It looks alot like mold, but mold smears when you go to wipe it off.

**MMAB** · 11-01-2005, 10:13 PM

it's referred to as a sun spot.

I have noticed them on cigars from time to time. I actually had a cigar this weekend that had one.

They are usually about 3mm in size or so and have a dull gold color.

I wouldn't worry about them. I don't know what causes them but seeing that tobacco is an organic it could be caused by just about anything. Maybe a tiny injury to the leaf. Some sort of naturally occuring fungus occured before harvest or maybe a bug bite or maybe some hot babes were in the field using gold body paint before harvesting the tobacco nude and a little splashed on the tobacco.

To my knowledge it is NOT an indication of any post rolling bug problem. Relax.

**cockyhoskins** · 11-01-2005, 10:20 PM

It's a sun spot or natural discoloration in the leaf prior to drying. Don't sweat it and smoke away

**Krautle87** · 11-01-2005, 10:39 PM

Not to hijack, but a question about plume. It is suggested that one could brush off plume, but would it be best to leave it on? If it is the oils moving and settling, and the wrapper is supposed to have a major influence on the flavor of the cigar, would it not be best to keep it?

**godfather** · 11-01-2005, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by MMAB

"it's referred to as a sun spot..."

No worries, it was more curiosity than anything. Haven't seen you post in a while and I'm disappointed you couldn't come up with any sexual innuendos with my post...

Thanks for the response MMAB!

**godfather** · 11-01-2005, 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by cockyhoskins

It's a sun spot or natural discoloration in the leaf prior to drying. Don't sweat it and smoke away

SILENCIO Senorita Cocky-kins! No more yabbering until I see you answer my post about your walk-in-humidor bud! Pictures cocky, pictures!

Don't make me get Kevin7 knocking on your door...you wouldn't want him on you...I'll pay him in cigars too!

**MMAB** · 11-02-2005, 05:58 AM

Hey! - What can I say?

I was in Tampa visiting for a while and work's been busy too.

I DID mention naked women harvesting the tobacco while wearing GOLD body paint in my answer though Godfather!

**MMAB** · 11-02-2005, 06:01 AM

If it is REALLY plume and not mold - leave it on. It is crystallized nicotine (and other stuff too)! You would be brushing away flavor!

**stjohnroe** · 11-02-2005, 07:04 AM

I have seen similar in my garden, I think that the spots can be caused by a raindrop focusing the suns rays on a small area of a leaf.

bigpoppapuff · 11-02-2005, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by stjohnroe

I have seen similar in my garden, I think that the spots can be caused by a raindrop focusing the suns rays on a small area of a leaf.

yep

**Kayakinboy** · 11-02-2005, 09:48 AM

mold

mold

mold

First Release Opus X RDC, this is plume

This my look like mold, but again, this is plume.

Mold forms around the cap or the cigar, and then in larger patches around the cigar.

Plume, when held to the light, looks like it has been covered with glitter. Lucky enough, I got my hands on an Orginal Release Opus and they look like they are just covered in glitter. It's 10 yrs old and I'll burn it one day.

helpful link with links and pics.

**Chè** · 11-02-2005, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by Krautle87

Not to hijack, but a question about plume. It is suggested that one could brush off plume, but would it be best to leave it on? If it is the oils moving and settling, and the wrapper is supposed to have a major influence on the flavor of the cigar, would it not be best to keep it?

Plume... is it really something mystical? In my experience, Plume is a phenomenon that occurs when atmospheric changes occur sort of too rapidly for cigars to cope.

If you have a nice sized cooler, place several boxes of cigars inside, in a completely separated bucket or other water proof container, put a bag of ice. Leave the cooler sealed with the ice & cigars in it and I'm sure randomly you'll find cigars with tiny white crystals forming.

**centurycigar** · 11-02-2005, 11:35 AM

I have these discolorations on my Punch Punch's as well.
Made me nervous at first, because I thought it was the beginning of the dreaded BEETLE !
But its strictly superficial.

**SuperChuck** · 11-02-2005, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by Kayakinboy

Mold forms around the cap or the cigar, and then in larger patches around the cigar.

Plume, when held to the light, looks like it has been covered with glitter.

So for those of you paying attention...

If it's an OpusX, it's a plume, if it's anything else, it's mold

**Kayakinboy** · 11-02-2005, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by Chè

Plume... is it really something mystical? In my experience, Plume is a phenomenon that occurs when atmospheric changes occur sort of too rapidly for cigars to cope.

If you have a nice sized cooler, place several boxes of cigars inside, in a completely separated bucket or other water proof container, put a bag of ice. Leave the cooler sealed with the ice & cigars in it and I'm sure randomly you'll find cigars with tiny white crystals forming.

What? Look up and read the post before your's

Originally Posted by SuperChuck

So for those of you paying attention...

If it's an OpusX, it's a plume, if it's anything else, it's mold

LOL! It would appear that way! No but opus has a really oily wrapper, I'd say that helps it's process. I've got some DCM's with plume.

**godfather** · 11-02-2005, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by Kayakinboy

"...Mold forms around the cap or the cigar, and then in larger patches around the cigar..."

Nice resources KB. Thanks "brudda."

**Chè** · 11-02-2005, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by Kayakinboy

What? Look up and read the post before your's

I read it before posting but my point (at least in my view) was that with the right storage conditions and changes with-in those said conditions, anyone can manufacture plume.

It does seem to require vitolas with some oil to give to create the scenario but beyond that, cooling your cigars (I.E. take a couple out of your nice climate controlled house out into the brisk winter air inside a ziplock bag and don't be surprised if a half hour to an hour later you have plume.