Plugged Cigars

W

Walker

Joined Mar 2007
222 Posts | 0+
NW of Chicago
Lately I have run into a few plugged cigars. I'll puff and puff away trying to draw enough air to get a satisfying amount of smoke, but instead get light headed and frustrated. I've read somewhere about draw pokers and have attempted to use a toothpick from time to time with out much success. It doesn't open up the cigar sufficiently and often splits the wrapper.
What do you all do for plugged cigars? If you use a draw poker, does it work well enough? And doesn't it split the wrapper?

Thanks!
 
Henrys cigar tools are simply the best around. I have saved many a cigar with these. Simply slide it down the center, let it sit a second and pull it out. I can not say enough nice things about these. I keep them in my travel humidor.
 
I have to agree with both of these guys - if the Xikar tool doesn't get it - I use the pokers that I got from Barco - they are the best.
 
Just the info I needed. Looks I'll be placing an order with Heartfelt.

Thanks!!
 
I have actualy used a Paper clip if nothing else is handy. I will just push it through each end, works pretty good when I don't have my poker available
 
I tried a wooden shish-kebab skewer. Bad idea. I've heard that the metal ones work well, though.
-D
 
My order came from heartfelt, quickly as always ....more beads and Henry's cigar tools. I had occasion to use the cigar tool right away as I came upon a stubborn Padilla Miami Belicoso Fino. The 'tool' opened the stick up very nicely and it turned out to be an excellent stick.

Thanks for the advice!
 
I love the Xikar Scissors. One of the best multi function cigar tool I have come across, in my opinion anyway. :D
 
I just had the same problem with a Partagas Black Label about a week ago and remembering this post but not having either one of the 2 tools recommended, I whipped out a round micro-file and it saved the day!
 
I think anythting long skinny and metal will do the trick. The tricky part is not to burst the wrapper and to make a straight tunnel. Henry's tool has a screwdriver type head on it and if you twist it in, the wrapper usually survives intact. I imagine a drill press would work best! lol :)
 
I was just gifted a Draw Poker the other day. Hopefully I don't need it any time soon, but if/when I do, I'll be sure to post how it worked for me.

If you are running into cigars that are plugged more often, are they from the same box? If so, it may be a bad box and I might be hesitant to buy that brand again. If they are from different companies, it may be a humidity problem. Has your humidity gone up now that it's summer? I know that it's relative humidity, but I notice that in the summer, my humidity tends to go up, likely because the air is more humid and you're not using your heater which tends to take moisture out of the air. And if you are not using air conditioning, the problem can be even worse. The humidity in my humidors are around 61, 64, and 67 percent, and I haven't had draw issues in a very long time (knock on wood). Just a thought.
 
Good questions Aubrey,

Most of my experience with the plugged sticks came when I went to the left coast recently. I don't know if the humid weather in the San Fran area had something to do with it or not, but I would go on to the balcony, (no smoking in the hotel) and it didn't seem to matter what kind of cigar I lit, it would more times than not be a very tight draw, or even worse. The weather was unseasonably hot and humid that week, and when the fog rolled in, it was even worse.
Since I got back home again, I haven't had too many problems.
 
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