Pinholes in wrappers

[Wlai]

Ive had a few cigars where there were some invisible to naked eyes pinholes in the wrapper leaf, that showed when I toast or torch the foot. Is that normal for premium or good hand roll stuff? The last one was a ambos mundos by tat, but saw it on an oliva too.

Doesnt seem to leak smoke when I draw, but am wondering if it's just par for a natural product, or perhaps my handling or freezing process are introducing them?

 

[tmoney2007]

Just happens some times, if it doesn't leak smoke, don't worry about it.

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

Hopefully that's all it is because "pinholes" can also be the sign of "tobacco beetles!"

 

[Wlai]

I have been freezing all incoming stuff so hopefully even if it's beetles they are gone. Plus we aren't really hot enough here in Seattle except for a short period in the summer, and this year we didn't even have a summer at all!

 

[ciggy]

There is a difference between a pinhole in the leaf and a Beetle hole...as I found out.
1. A pin hole is a bit smaller than a beetle hole.
2. When you smoke it, smoke doesn't come from it like a chimney.
3. And finally, if you tap it, cigar dust will not fall out of the hole. beetles make a mess.

I found this out in a home experement.
Check out my post from last year with pics!
http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=44646

 

[Wlai]

Thanks, that is good to know for future reference! My holes are much much smaller. Almost imperceptible. I think they are just natural gaps and voids in the leaf, perhaps exasperated by handling.

 

[Jonathan Drew]

Great Question.

When factories are "Classifying Capa" we often hold the capa up to the light to determine if there are many pinholes and the size of the holes. If they are too big, then that peice should become binder. If you are seeing this on a completed cigar, it was probably one that snuck through QC. No biggie, and wil not effect taste. Just make sure that it wasnt a bug hole.

JD

 

[Herfin' Harg]

... and this year we didn't even have a summer at all!

:angerFU:

 

[ssaka]

Also some tobacco varieties always have pinholes - for example San Andreas Negro... It is a trait of the seeds leaf structure not a flaw typically you will not even know they are there as they are nearly invisible unless the capa is stretched with a light behind it... About the only way to tell when on a cigar is if the bunches capote is significanty different in hue..

STS

 

[Wlai]

Thanks for your input JD and Steve. Always good to have the industry heavyweights weigh in!

P.S. That's not a fat joke, honest! :widemouth

 

[sean]

:angerFU:

That was us last year... no summer. This year, I think it lasted a week. Climate change is real, I yell ya'!