Bloom or mold

[isimpson]

I just received a very nice 1997 macanudo as a gift :)
Its in a glass container and I can see a round dusty/fuzzy patch about 6mm in diameter on the cigar :(

Now I am not sure if this is bloom or mold. Should I take the cigar out of the tube and put it in my humidor or......
I would really like to smoke this so if it is mold is it safe to even smoke!?

[illilli]

Here is some great information provided by Kayakinboy (Includes pictures): Post #14
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Also, here is an excerpt from http://www.cigarnexus.com/counsel/ci...age/index.html:

Q: My cigars have something on them. How can I tell if it is mold or bloom?

A: Bloom, also called plume, is a grey/white residual powder that is left from the cigar's essential oils drying on its surface, and is considered a very good sign that the proper aging is taking place. Not all cigars develop bloom, but those that are heavy in oils almost always do over time.

Mold always has some body to it, it is actually a three dimensional "fuzz." Typically it grows rather quickly once it occurs. Also it is commonly green, green/blue, or green/yellow in color.

Typically plume will cover almost evenly all the air-exposed sides of a cigar whereas mold will begin growing on just one part and spread from there.

If you still can't the difference I suggest you quarantine the potential problem cigars to their own tupperdor for a couple of weeks. After which you should be able to tell if it has continued to grow as mold would.
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Q: Okay, it is mold... now what?

A: You can just brush the mold off and smoke them anyway. I have smoked a bunch of vintage cigars that have had some mold on them. It takes considerable mold and time to impact the flavor of the cigar - the biggest factor being whether they have molded on the interior. If so they are goners, if not you can just gently brush the mold off with a soft dry cloth. However, you should quarantine them from your other cigars to prevent it from spreading to them.

[isimpson]

Thanks for info but I still cant decide
But I have a baaaad feeling its mold and if its can I smoke it?
Have a look at the attachement and let me know....

[Cheeze]

Mold!!!!!!


Bloom is not fuzzy!!! Bloom, Plume, is more like a crystal!!!!!

Sorry...

[isimpson]

:(

Ok its mold but can I smoke it if I scrape it off?

[Cheeze]

Go ahead if you want to, if you think it tastes fine more power to you. If you light it up and it tastes like crap put it out. Just a little warning mold grows because there is too much moisture so let it dry a bit...