Burning problems...

[jaewing]

Before the "run" gets too far along you can do this:

1. Put the fater buring side on top
2. Blow three steady puffs through the cigar - not sucking but blowing through the cigar
3. Take a couple good regular puffs
4. Now look at the buring end and blow on the "cherry" and see where it is buring well.

Continue to do this until it clears up. I have also tried to wet the leading edge of the runner to slow its burn - do this with saliva or a drop of your drink. Also, slowing down to a point of almost not smoking the cigar, leaving the cigar with the runner side up and lying flat in the ashtray (like mentioned above) workes well. Just remember to slow down the puffing as this will generally make things worse.

As for the value of your cigar . . . it is true (also mentioned above) that regardless of the price you can get a bad draw - either tight, tunneling or runners. Better cigars just have a lower percentage of failure, or so I am told.

What ever you do don't let this experience spoil you on smoking that brand. Unless you get a bunch of the same stick that are bad don't throw in the towel . . . give it another try .

[pierce652]

I dont think anyone mentioned to check the calibration on your hygrometer, it may be off. Also, I rotate the cigars in my humidor once a week. Take those on the bottom of the pile and bring to the top and the top to the bottom. I would definately start with a salt test, I bet you need to recalibrate.

[Cigar Jack]

75%

That's too high... You definitly should let them sit in your humidor at 64% at least 2 weeks to a month. That should really help with the burn problems. Turn them occasionlly to so they get even exposure to the air.

[Kevin76tx]

Should I take them out of the wrapper?
The idea of keeping them for two weeks before smoking them, poses a problem for me. I don't have the money to keep a two week stock on hand. I buy them and smoke them in a day or two. Can I just leave them out of the humidor for a little while after I buy them. My apartment is air conditioned because it is hot as heck here in Texas. If I leave them out for a little while, will this dry them out enough to smoke? Thanks.

[Cigar Jack]

Should do the trick. Until you can get a bit more stock.