Infusing your own cigars ... how to or how not to?

[Aircooled]

I know that a thread about infused cigars can rankle almost as many feathers as one on politics or religion, so apologies in advance. I mean no disrespect to those that would never allow a "flavored" cigar to part their lips. To each, it is said, their own.

I did a forum search (as all good noobs should do), and I didn't really find anything addressing my question, although I could have missed it.

And that question is:

I want to try my hand at some "home-made" bourbon-flavored cigars. Probably Maker's Mark. I do like the actual MM cigars, but they are a bit pricey. Besides, where's the fun in just buying them?

I have the Maker's, an acrylic cigar jar/humidor, a stainless steel condiment cup, and not afraid to try an experiment.

What I thought to do was to get some relatively inexpensive mild sticks (like CI's Macanudo Knock-Offs), put about 10 of them in the 25 stick capacity jar, the condiment cup in the middle, and very carefully use a straw to draw up the bourbon and deposit in the cup on the bottom. Seal and wait. Refill weekly or so.

So would this work? Will I have tasty bourbon cigars after a few months, or a weird and soggy failed experiment?

If it won't work, what's a better approach? If it may work, should I cram as many cigars as the jar will hold, or keep the stick count low? Is there a better base cigar to start with? I know not to actually soak them in the liquor, of course, but should they rest in the jar foot down or up? Rearranging them make any difference? Do I need to humidify beyond the evaporating liquor? And while I assume months of aging, how long before decent results might show?

Thanks in advance ...

 

[USCG Cigar Newb]

No clue, but great idea to try and do that stuff alone. As you said to each his own, and if it is something you love and you learn to do it yourself, THAT ROCKS. Good luck

 

[jmatkins]

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=20917&highlight=infusing

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=37596&highlight=infusing

I know a few have tried it with coffee. Here are some things they did. Go for it.

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=37596&highlight=infusing

 

[Aircooled]

Thanks for that thread. Not one I found in my site search.

Seems like there is lot of trial and error in this endeavor. Mostly error.

BUT, other people's failures inspire me to fail in my own special way. I'm going to give it a shot the next time I order some cigars and see what half a year does.

 

[Monsterdg]

I've seen infusing acrylic cigar jars on ebay. There was one recently listed I almost pulled the trigger on. The ones I've seen have the liquor on the bottom in some kind of vented container.

 

[SurpriseMVP]

Personally I like my alcohol seperate from my cigar.
One question came to mind when I read this. Should you cook the alcohol out of the spirit before trying the infusion? Just thinking that alcohol cannot be good when place on the cigars for a lenght of time and your really just looking for the flavor.

 

[Clint]

Best of luck!
Keep posting in this thread to update us on your progress.

 

[hogfarmer]

I read somewhere, possibly Cigars for Dummies, to infuse an alcohols flavor into a cigar, place your sticks in a Tupperware style container. Put whatever spirit you're using in a shallow dish and place it in the container with the cigars. Seal and leave for a month. The spirits act like a humidifier but infuse the cigars. Tadaa! Infused cigars. They suggested different spirits, Bourbon, brandy, whatever you preferred. I tried it and it works quite well. Just experimenting,not my cup of tea.

 

[strife]

I remember a while back when I wanted to keep some herbs from drying out I put the baggie in my desktop which had some cigars in it and within a week the cigars had picked up the smell, not so much the taste.

 

[cartisdm]

I remember a while back when I wanted to keep some herbs from drying out I put the baggie in my desktop which had some cigars in it and within a week the cigars had picked up the smell, not so much the taste.

What exactly were these "herbs" you were keeping in your humi, huh? :scratchhe

 

[Aircooled]

Personally I like my alcohol seperate from my cigar.
One question came to mind when I read this. Should you cook the alcohol out of the spirit before trying the infusion? Just thinking that alcohol cannot be good when place on the cigars for a lenght of time and your really just looking for the flavor.

I was wondering about the alcohol factor too. Seems like it would monkey with the humidity a bit .. or sumpin'.

I think when the time comes, I'll let the bourbon sit out for a bit and see if nature will evaporate a lion's share of the alcohol. I am thinking adding heat to cook out the alcohol -while probably more efficient- may affect the taste of the booze.

That is going into a cigar.

Yeah, I know ...

 

[usmcpurcell]

What exactly were these "herbs" you were keeping in your humi, huh? :scratchhe

Haha:smokingbo