Pepin Blue ammonia scent?

[sneak_a_cigar]

I have five Pepin Blue robustos in cellophane that have been in my humidor for the past couple of weeks. Tonight I took one out of the cellophane just to see what it smelled like. It had a nice aroma, but also maybe a bit of ammonia smell?

Is this possible or am I just imagining things? Does this mean that I need to rest them longer or should I just smoke one of them? Could it be the celophane, or some kind of storage issue?

I'm storing in a 40-50 count humi with two bovedas. It reads 67-68% whenever I check it.

Thanks in advance for any replies

sneak

 

[BigFoot]

Let em rest a bit more. Pepin blues always have an ammonia smell to them, at least the ones I have had. Looks like your doing everything right.

 

[Jfire]

The last few years he has been rushing finished product to market Imo. Many of his staples along with new releases have been off gasing whats left of the ammoinia in them. I let his stuff rest 6 months minimum now days fwiw.
Regards,
Jfire

 

[Craig Mac]

I agree with Justin, fresh Pepin sticks often had a tendency to have a biter finish. Let em rest a while and they should be fine.

 

[sneak_a_cigar]

Thanks for the replies. That's interesting info. I'm certainly glad to hear that this isn't out of the ordinary. I'm actually glad that I was able to pick it up.

I may smoke one soon, then save the rest for a while and see what happens. Since I'm so new to this, it will be informative to note the changes even if it means smoking one or two before they are "ready".

Michael

 

[musicman]

On a side note, I smoked some fresh rolled blues down in Miami and they were freaking awesome!

End thread jack.

 

[Jfire]

On a side note, I smoked some fresh rolled blues down in Miami and they were freaking awesome!

End thread jack.

I would agree and say when fresh they are almost as good as when aged 6-7 years. You should try them in Nica off the table! ...."" Also I think this may be part of the problem. His tobacco is so good and strong now days that they smoke so well when ready at the factory that they then release them to ship. Only to have some of the left over fermentation seep out months later after boxes are opened. It's not that they aren't ready to enjoy but a few more months lets that little bit of "final" fermentation come out. 2 cents worth.

 

[sean]

I agree with everything here, except for the part about smoking them fresh (because I haven't done that, YET). All my blues have been sitting for at least a year, and are stellar (I just smoked one last week).

Cedar naps are good, and good for your cigars.

 

[SmokeProper]

Yup and it's not just the blues. All Pepin in celo has this going on. All Pepin I get comes out of the celo and rests for a month minimum in cedar. Year plus is even better.
It's worth the wait.... So good.

 

[sean]

^^ This man speaketh the truth.

 

[kuzi16]

its interesting to hear that DPG has been rushing stuff.

usually the aging room takes care of the ammonia smell. its just the byproduct of adding a wet wrapper leaf starting a tiny bit of fermentation. it will not effect your other cigars at all. the above advice of rest will help.


added bonus: DPG smokes age well if you ask me. the blue label with about 2 years on it is noting short of amazing.

 

[Gravity]

As stated above, you may think about pulling them out of the celo to allow them to breathe a little easier. Unless you're planning on aging them for a year or more, then I would just leave them as is.

 

[vivalanation734]

its interesting to hear that DPG has been rushing stuff.

usually the aging room takes care of the ammonia smell. its just the byproduct of adding a wet wrapper leaf starting a tiny bit of fermentation. it will not effect your other cigars at all. the above advice of rest will help.


added bonus: DPG smokes age well if you ask me. the blue label with about 2 years on it is noting short of amazing.

Agreed. I have some 08-09 Invictos that are great. I have some 08 Preferidos on the way, so I am very excited about those.

 

[StocktonJohn]

I've gotta get more of these. Loved the old ones...

 

[musicman]

cigar factory outlet in troy mi has dozens of boxes from 2009 if anyone is interested.