why are some of my cigars splitting and cracking as I smoke them?
536_Madbchbum
Posts: 5 ✭
Hi guys, new to this forum. I need some advice. I've been a BOTL for over 6 months, have a large (over 500) collection of sticks. Am having problems while smoking some of these. When I take the stick out of the cello it appears fine, not spongy, few if any soft spots. After a short period of time the lit cigar begins splitting and cracking. Wrappers are failing. I live in Florida, house is kept at 73 degrees full time. I'm using Boveda packs and Sensorpush hygrometers in all my humidors. All boxes are kept between 70-74 degrees and 66-75% humidity on average. Humidors have all been seasoned using distilled water in a bowl set in the box for at least 48 hrs. Is the cracking problem due to smoking these sticks in a high humidity environment (Florida outdoors)? Should i take them out of the humi to rest outdoors (in garage)? Please advise. 
Best Answers
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Wylaff
Posts: 5,369 ✭✭✭✭✭
Your air is too humid. Try grabbing the stick you plan to smoke, unwrapping it, and sitting it on the counter for a couple hours before you light it.
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VegasFrank
Posts: 18,333 ✭✭✭✭✭
And you might be smoking a little faster than the stick can handle. Combustion of tobacco releases the moisture in it at the bottom of the cherry under the wrapper. Too much combustion at once will make the cherry bigger, resulting in more humidity released, causing the cigar to expand, bulging the wrapper and eventually popping it apart. If it's a little swollen up by the cherry, slow down a little and see what happens.
I've found that Connecticut shade and Cameroon are suceptible to this, while thicker wrappers like broadleaf and San Andres are a little more sturdy.
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Answers
Sage advice, thanks guys. Will try both remedies.
What does Frank know about swollen cherries?
Oh the yarns I could spin, Tom....
I too live in the south and have been dealing with some serious humidity lately, I started leaving mine out for a while before smoking after it was suggested, I’ll say, while it’s hard to sit there and wait for it to acclimate, it certainly makes a difference and overall makes the smoke much more enjoyable and stress free.
Just realized how old this post was, oops
Still good info.
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