Increased issues with plugging

[Electric Sheep]

I had GREAT luck with 06 and 07, but have hit a few plugged ones in the 08s. Not so bad I couldn't smoke em, but enough to be annoying. Haven't had 09s so I dunno bout those.

BTW, is this CC talk on BOTL? Wow, such a rare occurance nowadays!

 

[Fox]

Thanks, Chuck. Figured you would enjoy this, Duane.

None were deal sticks and all were from good sources. The worst were Boli CGs from 2006, and yet many/most 2006 smokes have been superb. Others of note were SLR DCs, Punch Churchills (do not have the dates handy for these) and a couple of PSD4s from 2008 (a rarity for a Robusto). I even had a gifted Sir Winston that had to be trashed. Admittedly, this is an anecdotal observation, but has happened often enough for recent years to garner my attention, which is why I posed the question. As noted in the first post, I could just be on a run of bad luck. . .:dunno: Note that most of the problems I have observed have been with Julieta #2s and Prominentes.

 

[weskimad]

It's been said already, but tight draws with CC's is the reason I buy exclusively Robusto and #2 sizes.

 

[CWS]

Nide to be talking CC's. Not that I would ever really buy any. Just hear this from friends. Yeah friends.

 

[Fox]

Nide to be talking CC's. Not that I would ever really buy any. Just hear this from friends. Yeah friends.

:yes:

 

[SanCristobal]

yeah, I smoked through, or rather tried to, a box of diplimaticos (07) #4's and a good 1/3's of the box were coffee stirrers and another 1/3 were flat out unsmokable...

 

[Cigary43]

If you are a cigar smoker you will deal with plugged cigars,,you just can't get away from it. I recently bought a tool from a brother who makes them which are fluted at the end and the middle like a knitting needle and when used takes care of the plug. It's great thing because unlike other draw tools that only push the tobacco aside but re-plug after the tobacco is heated this tool actually works and I think he's still selling them for $20 plus shipping. PM me if interested and I can get you his address.

 

[Hot_Sauce]

I've been noticing more tight draw issues as well and not just from the 99-01 era. As Fox mentioned I some of the more recent stuff has been very tight. I tried to smoke a late 07 RASS a couple of weeks ago and it was damm near plugged. The draw poker helped a little but the draw was still not to my liking. For me it seems that Cubans are becoming more and more of a crap shoot these days.

 

[Bass man]

Really haven't had problems with plugged cigars since 99-01 production. SLR Churchills & Upmann Monarch are notoriously plugged during this period. You never know though, might find some good ones. Personally, i'd be wary of cheap vintage cigars still available.

 

[cvm4]

When the draw machines were introduced, the rollers would almost underfill the cigars so they would pass inspection. Underfilled cigars were a problem in mid-2000. Now it seems they've gone to the other side of the fence concerning how much tobacco is not enough. Fox, this could be them trying to smother the complaints. But, they you might get overfilled cigars that you speak of. Nothing worse than sucking on a straw or trying to suck a bowling ball through a straw when it comes to cigars.

 

[Phrankenstein]

I smoke a lot of 42 ga cigars. It's been getting worse by the year. And I'm not sure about deals cigars, I've seen tight cigars from the major marcas. Really hit or miss, kind of sux if ya get two in a row...Bad enough to make you want to shy away for a while.

The real b1tch...I can't remember having a tight NC!

Gotta go, againt my policy to post while tippy...not tippy but leaning that way>

 

[Eric]

Any new findings since the last post?

 

[jmatkins]

Yea has anyone seen anymore?
I have had several of my last few been unsmokeable, which sucks. I just hate wasting money.

 

[Benzopyrene]

I havent had a plugged smoke in a couple of years. Have actually been very pleased with everything from the last 3 years, but can really only say Ive bought Party's, bolis, upmanns, and cohibas. Other brands I havent smoked enough of to give you a good opinion of. Truthfully though I havent even had a problem with my 99-01's either though.

 

[lhx123456]

It`s very useful thank you

 

[sam a]

It`s very useful thank you

no, no, really... thank you! :gangfire:

 

[Jfire]

Any 08s and 09s Ive bouhgt have been fine but nothing more then a toro size. Psd4s, Rass, Cohiba Robos, 898vs 09(awesome already) etc. no plugs

 

[Fox]

Yea has anyone seen anymore?
I have had several of my last few been unsmokeable, which sucks. I just hate wasting money.

John, what sized vitolas are you having problems with? As a general rule this used to be more of a problem in the smaller gauges; e.g. -- 38 - 42, especially in the '99 - '01 era. As previously noted, I have recently seen the problem even unto the Robusto class, but that is more rare. My latest personal experience runs mostly to the years '06 - '08. What has been aggravating though is that the problem migrated to larger ring sizes and high-end vitolas/marcas as noted in my post from 12/22. Some here will recall my travails with '98 VR Clasicos that became VR Petite Coronas and Shorts in order to at least smoke some of the sticks. . .:frown:

 

[jmatkins]

John, what sized vitolas are you having problems with? As a general rule this used to be more of a problem in the smaller gauges; e.g. -- 38 - 42, especially in the '99 - '01 era. As previously noted, I have recently seen the problem even unto the Robusto class, but that is more rare. My latest personal experience runs mostly to the years '06 - '08. What has been aggravating though is that the problem migrated to larger ring sizes and high-end vitolas/marcas as noted in my post from 12/22. Some here will recall my travails with '98 VR Clasicos that became VR Petite Coronas and Shorts in order to at least smoke some of the sticks. . .:frown:

I do not know they years as they have been bought/bombed/traded.
The last few were Partagas either DC or Churchill, and Por Lang not sure of the size.

 

[Bass man]

I smoke a lot of 42 ring gauge cigars as well as Churchills & DCs. Can't recall the last time I had a plugged cigar from 06 or later. Try this trick. If you think your cigar might be plugged, clip the head & let it sit outside your humi for a day or so before smoking. Drying it out a bit should help. i've had some tight but not plugged 06 PL Lonsdales & they smoke much better after a bit of drying.