Sticks in your sticks.

[Gunson]

Look I know that stems are par for the course when it comes to cigars and for the most part I don't really give two hoots; but, when a tree branch like the one I found here is unacceptable. The little stem in the foreground of the pic is acceptable as far as I'm concerned but the other one, come on. Where's the QA/QC in the factory? I know veins can lend something to the blend and I'm cool with that as long as they don't plug up my draw like this monster did. Ok rant over. Post pics of some monster stems you find if you agree. BTW I'm not gonna disclose the manufacturer or cigar but this is something that I'm sure 99% of you have smoked.

Oh and it's a premium boutique stick so no cracks about Gurkha.

 

[VeLoRoK]

I think you just created a guessing game. I guess Padron.

 

[Hopduro]

The bottom one is a vein, which is in every cigar. They can be bigger depending on the leaf, for example broadleaf ligero.

The one on top is either a thick ligero vein or part of the midrib (the large vein in the middle of the leaf). Not only is it super beneficial for the construction (improves draw, makes bunching easier, improves ash strength) but some claim it's huge on flavor/strength and a major component of a blend (Pete of tatuaje prides the midrib). So not a QC issue. Also not a "stick". Just a part of the cigar.

I personally remove the large midrib on my ligero leaves, but I also prefer medium cigars. But all my thinner leaves i just leave it in.

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[Gunson]

noun \ˈstik\

Definition of stick
1
: a woody piece or part of a tree or shrub: such as
a : a usually dry or dead severed shoot, twig, or slender branch

4: any of various implements resembling a stick in shape, origin, or use: such as

8: an herbaceous stalk resembling a woody stick

A rose by any other name would be a flower on a stick.

 

[Old Smokey]

It can be frustrating, especially when it effects the smokeability of the cigar. When considering what they charge/we pay for premium cigars, quality control issues suck. But as with any handmade item, not all are going to be perfect.

 

[navyvet]

i found 5 in one cigar ones it was a liga 9

 

[Cigary43]

Premium sticks demand better QC.....the roller sees those inferior parts of the tobacco and stems do appear but those are pretty big....I'm thinking that it was Friday and the roller was thinking Cerveza and couldn't wait to get home and have an ice cold one.

 

[A Huge Nerd]

Pete Johnson posted a great bit of info about this on FB (hinted by @Hopduro ) within the last year or so. I'll try to find it to post the screen shots here.

 

[Hopduro]

Pete Johnson posted a great bit of info about this on FB (hinted by @Hopduro ) within the last year or so. I'll try to find it to post the screen shots here.

Found it! https://www.instagram.com/p/BAm4eayPxUF/
"tatuajeinc: For educational purposes, I opened up 7 cigars from 7 popular brands. I removed the excess leaf from the center veins/stems to show that they are in every cigar and are a key part to each blend. All of them(the cigars) varying in strength from mild to strong. The cigar on the bottom is a stronger cigar I know well that uses Nicaraguan higher primings in the filler. The thicker the leaf, the thicker the vein/stem. This is normal. @tatuajecigars@thesnsclub Forgot to mention the need for them in reference to the structure of the cigar."

They are NOT part of a QC issue. Period.
Tight draw on the otherhand IS a QC issue.

 

[Cigary43]

Found it! https://www.instagram.com/p/BAm4eayPxUF/
"tatuajeinc: For educational purposes, I opened up 7 cigars from 7 popular brands. I removed the excess leaf from the center veins/stems to show that they are in every cigar and are a key part to each blend. All of them(the cigars) varying in strength from mild to strong. The cigar on the bottom is a stronger cigar I know well that uses Nicaraguan higher primings in the filler. The thicker the leaf, the thicker the vein/stem. This is normal. @tatuajecigars@thesnsclub Forgot to mention the need for them in reference to the structure of the cigar."

They are NOT part of a QC issue. Period.
Tight draw on the otherhand IS a QC issue.

I"m sure Pete might allow this to go into his brand but I've been smoking cigars since Pete was in diapers...stems and stuff like those in the picture do NOT belong in cigars. How is it that Padrons, Fuentes, and a host of other don't have that size of tree limbs in theirs? Pete is not a Cigar God....but if he wants to allow such garbage in his cigars I don't have to buy em....and I don't. 50 years of smoking cigars allow me to give a QC opinion and I've tried just about every brand there is and I'll never accept that kind of stuff in my cigars. Every roller sees it and it takes literally 1/2 a second to remove that kind of crap off of the tobacco.

 

[Hopduro]

I"m sure Pete might allow this to go into his brand but I've been smoking cigars since Pete was in diapers...stems and stuff like those in the picture do NOT belong in cigars. How is it that Padrons, Fuentes, and a host of other don't have that size of tree limbs in theirs? Pete is not a Cigar God....but if he wants to allow such garbage in his cigars I don't have to buy em....and I don't. 50 years of smoking cigars allow me to give a QC opinion and I've tried just about every brand there is and I'll never accept that kind of stuff in my cigars. Every roller sees it and it takes literally 1/2 a second to remove that kind of crap off of the tobacco.

Not only do i disagree with you, but you did not read Pete's words correctly.

One of those is probably a fuente.

Also, they are not stems. They are veins.

This is a tobacco leaf. All tobacco leaves are different shapes, sizes and colors. This includes their vein sizes. If you smoke Nicaraguan,

Also, there is no reason to disrespect Pete. Without whom, the cigar industry wouldn't have the burst of boutique cigar brands. John Huber had pointed out that Pete played a huge roll in how John built crowned heads.

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[Cigary43]

Not only do i disagree with you, but you did not read Pete's words correctly.

One of those is probably a fuente.

Also, they are not stems. They are veins.

This is a tobacco leaf. All tobacco leaves are different shapes, sizes and colors. This includes their vein sizes. If you smoke Nicaraguan,

Also, there is no reason to disrespect Pete. Without whom, the cigar industry wouldn't have the burst of boutique cigar brands. John Huber had pointed out that Pete played a huge roll in how John built crowned heads.

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Relax yourself....I did read the article...and Pete didn't identify ALL of the cigars so when you tell a story ALL facts pretty much need to be given. I don't know Pete...he may be a great person but some of the things he says aren't factual because of his own prejudice. As far as the description of the "veins" and "stems" are concerned....it's a matter of quality as to who is rolling those cigars. I'll compare my history of smoking cigars for 50 years against Pete and his history anytime and if he wants to put stems and veins into his cigars that's his business...I don't care because I don't smoke his brands for more than what we're discussing...it's my own personal choice. If you love his stuff...that's wonderful but you're defending sub par QC and thinking stems or veins belong in a premium product...maybe you should just smoke stems and veins with just a touch of tobacco thrown in for authenticity.

Don't put words in my mouth....if I wanted to disrespect Pete or any other manufacturer I wouldn't hide it....I'd say it openly regardless of somebodys feelings but I didn't...so take a chill pill.

 

[Hopduro]

Fine, back on topic.
How about we use actual fact than opinion?
This is how a cigar is made:

 

[Hopduro]

Skip Martin of RomaCraft:
"Some of the confusion seems to be in the verbiage or slang we use to describe these. Stems are never in cigars. The petiole and lower third of the primary vein is removed from filler. The petiole and entire primary vein is removed from wrapper and binder leaf. Pete's picture shows the upper part of the primary vein with the lamina removed for demonstration purposes. These would not have been loose in the cigar. This is thicker on higher texture leaves (ligero) than it is on lower texture leaves (seco). The number of primary veins in a cigar reflects the number of leaves used in the filler. Their thickness reflects the blend. No cigar maker I have ever met or known completely de-veins filler leaves. The only quality guidance in the process regarding these (at least in my factory) is not to allow them to be prominent in the ends of the cigar, particularly the crown and never put a thick vein part from the break back into the bunch."

 

[Gunson]

The size of the stems or veins in the pics Pete is displaying are nowhere near the size of the log I found in my stick. I've been smoking cigars for over 2 decades. I'm used to veins not with stems that measure a half a cm in diameter. And guys chill. The point of all this was to have fun, discuss and post some pics maybe.

 

[memphsdad]

The size of the stems or veins in the pics Pete is displaying are nowhere near the size of the log I found in my stick. I've been smoking cigars for over 2 decades. I'm used to veins not with stems that measure a half a cm in diameter. And guys chill. The point of all this was to have fun, discuss and post some pics maybe.

But if Pete said it, it must be true

 

[jtfrizzy]

Fine, back on topic.
How about we use actual fact than opinion?
This is how a cigar is made:

Great video.


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[JG358]

Enjoying it to much to risk destroying the smoke by pulling them out to see how long they are

 

[Gunson]

Yowza!! Midrib...from a brontosaurus haha.