Tight Draw

gripnrip

This has probably been discussed before (did a "pet peeves" search, came up with bupkiss..), but I HATE a too tight draw! Received my Oliva Serie O torpedos yesterday that were ordered on the ccom daily deal. Of course, I HAD to have one right away. I like to use a punch, but of course I had to cut the torp....took off about 1/4 inch or so. The draw was WAY too tight. To make a long story short, I had to keep wacking the cigar with the cutter (about 1/8 inch at a time) until the draw imporved. Took off enough where you couldn't tell it was a torp. The cigar had nice flavors, but, man, it was like work! Got to the final 1/3 and just gave it up. I thought I remembered experiencing this before, so I went to my notebook, and sure enough, notes on this stick show "draw a little tight", but enjoyable. I am hoping it was just this particular cigar and they are not all so difficult. I know that torps can be a bit finicky....love the cigar, just HATE the draw. Any advice on this? Will rest improve draw?

Fourtotheflush

gripnrip:

This has probably been discussed before (did a "pet peeves" search, came up with bupkiss..), but I HATE a too tight draw! Received my Oliva Serie O torpedos yesterday that were ordered on the ccom daily deal. Of course, I HAD to have one right away. I like to use a punch, but of course I had to cut the torp....took off about 1/4 inch or so. The draw was WAY too tight. To make a long story short, I had to keep wacking the cigar with the cutter (about 1/8 inch at a time) until the draw imporved. Took off enough where you couldn't tell it was a torp. The cigar had nice flavors, but, man, it was like work! Got to the final 1/3 and just gave it up. I thought I remembered experiencing this before, so I went to my notebook, and sure enough, notes on this stick show "draw a little tight", but enjoyable. I am hoping it was just this particular cigar and they are not all so difficult. I know that torps can be a bit finicky....love the cigar, just HATE the draw. Any advice on this? Will rest improve draw?

1st yes, let them rest. The transportation - heated up and cooled down a few times, can cause a tight draw. Generally it is well received to rest anywhere from 2-6 weeks before smoking.

I typically fall into the trap of wanting to smoke 1 right out of the box too and typically find that my problem cigar ratio goes up exponentially!.

Also, you could have rolled the cigar between your thumb and forefinger a bit. Or once the torp was snipped you could have punched that cut. or Used the draw poker (some use a straightened out paperclip instead of buying the fancy dancy unit.....

sightunseen

Storing cigars in an overhumidified environment can also cause a tight draw, since the humidity will make the fillers expand. 65% RH is where it's at.

gripnrip

Thanks guys....all good suggestions. I'll let 'em rest and try again.

aron325

i ran into that with and opus i smoked the other day. cut barely anything off the first time. then cut a little bit more off and it drew so smooth. also +1 to the rolling of the cigar in the fingers. that helps a lot just make sure you dont do it too rough.

ThinBluLine06

Ive ran into that problem a few times as well...Although it is difficult, I let my new smokes sit at least 3 weeks in the humi before i smoke em....

Goldy

sightunseen:

Storing cigars in an overhumidified environment can also cause a tight draw, since the humidity will make the fillers expand. 65% RH is where it's at.

+1

cabinetmaker

When I get one that's too tight I'll look at the cut end and find the fattest leaf and pull it out. 95% of the time that fixes it.

cabinetmaker

I also keep mine 65-67% RH.

stephen_hannibal

Yeah I try to keep my smokes in the low 60s...
Rarely have draw issues.

Fourtotheflush

cabinetmaker:

When I get one that's too tight I'll look at the cut end and find the fattest leaf and pull it out. 95% of the time that fixes it.

wow, ive never heard of this before. .... Does that change the flavor profile of your cigar?

kuzi16

Goldy:

sightunseen:

Storing cigars in an overhumidified environment can also cause a tight draw, since the humidity will make the fillers expand. 65% RH is where it's at.

+1

i agree to an extent. 70% shouldnt cause tight draw.

j0z3r

kuzi16:

Goldy:

sightunseen:

Storing cigars in an overhumidified environment can also cause a tight draw, since the humidity will make the fillers expand. 65% RH is where it's at.

+1

i agree to an extent. 70% shouldnt cause tight draw.

I've been keeping my RH at 70 and have had zero draw issues that would not also have happened at 65%...by that I mean too tightly packed or plugged. I did 65 for a good while and have come to find out I just like 70 better.

sightunseen

Another thing to try is the **** cut. I think it was named after a sales manager at Altadis. The **** cut involves cutting torpedos at a 45 degree angle, thereby increasing the surface area of the cut. I've never done it myself. Anyone else done this? Not sure how much help it would be if the cigar was too tightly packed or plugged.

Fourtotheflush

sightunseen:

Another thing to try is the **** cut. I think it was named after a sales manager at Altadis. The **** cut involves cutting torpedos at a 45 degree angle, thereby increasing the surface area of the cut. I've never done it myself. Anyone else done this? Not sure how much help it would be if the cigar was too tightly packed or plugged.

Why is that, did the guys briss go horribly wrong?

sightunseen

Fourtotheflush:

sightunseen:

Another thing to try is the **** cut. I think it was named after a sales manager at Altadis. The **** cut involves cutting torpedos at a 45 degree angle, thereby increasing the surface area of the cut. I've never done it myself. Anyone else done this? Not sure how much help it would be if the cigar was too tightly packed or plugged.

Why is that, did the guys briss go horribly wrong?

Hahaha. I think the sales manager's name was Richard. I'm afraid to Google the term while I'm at work.

surfingzeeko

lol on that