Plugged baitfish?

[Shaunylw]

Well I pulled out a baitfish to enjoy a short smoke and as soon as I cut it and took a draw, massively plugged. If I ever get s plugged stick I alway cut like a I half in down just to see, sure enough still plugged. I only cut it down to see for my own sanity if the whole stick is plugged, I would never actually continue smoking it. That being said, I grabbed another. Yep you guessed it, plugged. Now my pissed off level is at a 10 so I grab another to make sure there isn't something weird going on with the humidor. I grabbed a diesel and it was perfect.

The humidor is always pretty much dialed in with 2 boveda packs and it reads 65-66% religiously, never fluctuates. I haved had so far 4 MUWAT/ baitfish total. 3 baitfish and 1 MUWAT. 3 of the sticks were plugged, all from different vendors all in the same humidor that I never have issues with.

What gives? Anyone else having these issues? For what it's worth the baitfish that wasn't plugged was amazing.


Shaun

 

[Robertsndr68]

Sometimes I get REALLY tight draws on my PCRs. I wonder if it's a vitola specific issue. All my other sticks smoke fine as well.

 

[rduke10]

Smoked a lot of baitfish and never had a problem. I'm curious why JD and Drew Estate products seem to be the only cigars that are called out on the board for draw problems...... Just curious. Smoked thru a box of t52 and plenty of #9 and a few pigs and enjoyed them all.

 

[Robertsndr68]

I just bought two from a b&m yesterday so you'll have to let me know if the dryboxing helps

 

[thejavaman]

These smoke much better at a lower RH, (~60%), IMO. Dry boxing should help. I seriously can't recall ever having a plugged one either.

 

[Shaunylw]

I can't remember ever having an issue with a #9 or t52, and I have smoked a ton of them. Thinking it does have something to do with the vitola. Dry boxing it is!

 

[Zen Smoker222]

Out of all the Drew Estate cigars I have had the only one that was close to plugged was indeed a baitfish but it wasn't totally plugged more so just a very tight draw that being said I do dry box the baitfish now which helps quite a bit good luck man

 

[njstone]

with ligas and bait fish, dry box = your friend.

 

[Red Raider]

Smoked a lot of baitfish and never had a problem. I'm curious why JD and Drew Estate products seem to be the only cigars that are called out on the board for draw problems...... Just curious. Smoked thru a box of t52 and plenty of #9 and a few pigs and enjoyed them all.

Read a review of a Viaje ROTT and nearly guarantee there will be a comment about burn or draw problems. I happen to be on the side that really enjoys Viaje and i still know about the issues. This probably isnt quite the same, but still draw/moisture problems nonetheless.

I dont think anyone was trying to trash DE or raise alarm... just stating an experience and looking for feedback for what would possibly make his experience more enjoyable.

+1 on smoking them at a slightly lower rh

*edit* never had a baitfish just spreaking for my DE smokes in general

 

[Dread]

So many factors, I wouldnt be too concerned. It sucks but at the end of the day you have to remember that it is a hand made product. There will be defects, of course its 10 times worse when you get back to back defective smokes but it does happen. DE makes a quality product with great quality control, things like this just happen sometimes.

 

[Hoshneer]

I have had a lot of Bait Fish as well and have never came across it. It happens man, I wouldn't worry about it. Should of took it back to the B&M. They would of replaced it for you.

 

[Shaunylw]

So many factors, I wouldnt be too concerned. It sucks but at the end of the day you have to remember that it is a hand made product. There will be defects, of course its 10 times worse when you get back to back defective smokes but it does happen. DE makes a quality product with great quality control, things like this just happen sometimes.

Totally agree. I remember hearing that the general rule of thumb is about 10% plug/draw issues. It will not stop me from buying as much liga as I can afford.

 

[mwlabel]

I'm curious why JD and Drew Estate products seem to be the only cigars that are called out on the board for draw problems...... Just curious.

I have my own theory about this, but I only discuss it in private.

with ligas and bait fish, dry box = your friend.

This. I haven't really dry-boxed that many bait fish, but it really helped me with No 9s and T52s.

 

[Mickeymorris626]

Smoked a lot of baitfish and never had a problem. I'm curious why JD and Drew Estate products seem to be the only cigars that are called out on the board for draw problems...... Just curious. Smoked thru a box of t52 and plenty of #9 and a few pigs and enjoyed them all.

I have heard a lot people get upset by others complaining about DE products (not saying you are being aberrant or upset) The way I look at it, if I pay $13-$19 for a stick (t52 with MN tax in this example) and its plugged, I'm going to be pissed. No brand will always have perfect construction 100% of the time, but no brand is above criticism either. I have had a ton of issues with the Liga line, perhaps a bunch of isolated examples, but the flavor keeps me coming back for more. Again, not trying to be a dick or tell anyone off, just giving my $0.02 on why some people, including myself, complain about unsmokeable DE products.
/rant mode off

I have yet to have a single plugged baitfish, perhaps it was a dud batch. That kind of thing could definitely happen to any brand.
Here are some things you could do to solve or minimize this:
Dry box like others have suggested
Roll the cigar between your fingers rather aggressively
Use a draw tool

If this next bundle has the same problem, I would contact the vendor to see what they can do for you. Perhaps they they could send it back to DE for a refund.

 

[L8A]

Been through a bunch of Baitfish and haven't ever had a plugged one. I have however gone through several boxes of PCR's and had stretches where it seemed every other one was plugged. So I'm not sure it has anything with the actual vitola but rather a new roller?

 

[BrooksW]

Smoked a lot of baitfish and never had a problem. I'm curious why JD and Drew Estate products seem to be the only cigars that are called out on the board for draw problems...... Just curious. Smoked thru a box of t52 and plenty of #9 and a few pigs and enjoyed them all.

I am sure it has absolutely nothing to do with the freebies that are sometimes given away to people who complain, if that is what you are wondering.

 

[mwlabel]

Smoked a lot of baitfish and never had a problem. I'm curious why JD and Drew Estate products seem to be the only cigars that are called out on the board for draw problems...... Just curious. Smoked thru a box of t52 and plenty of #9 and a few pigs and enjoyed them all.

I am sure it has absolutely nothing to do with the freebies that are sometimes given away to people who complain, if that is what you are wondering.

Ding ding ding, we have a winner.

 

[Shaunylw]

Smoked a lot of baitfish and never had a problem. I'm curious why JD and Drew Estate products seem to be the only cigars that are called out on the board for draw problems...... Just curious. Smoked thru a box of t52 and plenty of #9 and a few pigs and enjoyed them all.

I am sure it has absolutely nothing to do with the freebies that are sometimes given away to people who complain, if that is what you are wondering.

Ding ding ding, we have a winner.

Valid point, I am sure that some people take advantage of the system.

 

[sonarman]

Smoked a lot of baitfish and never had a problem. I'm curious why JD and Drew Estate products seem to be the only cigars that are called out on the board for draw problems...... Just curious. Smoked thru a box of t52 and plenty of #9 and a few pigs and enjoyed them all.

I am sure it has absolutely nothing to do with the freebies that are sometimes given away to people who complain, if that is what you are wondering.

So are you saying the OP is just a mooch?

 

[BrooksW]

Smoked a lot of baitfish and never had a problem. I'm curious why JD and Drew Estate products seem to be the only cigars that are called out on the board for draw problems...... Just curious. Smoked thru a box of t52 and plenty of #9 and a few pigs and enjoyed them all.

I am sure it has absolutely nothing to do with the freebies that are sometimes given away to people who complain, if that is what you are wondering.

So are you saying the OP is just a mooch?

I never said that.

The question was asked about why there is so much bitching about LP. The OP was never mentioned by name, either by me or by him.