re-humidifying cigars

[zirotti]

Quick question...

I have a friend that has about 250 different sticks (lots of original Opus, some very nice CCs) that have been sitting in a dry humidor for probably 10 years. Are they salvegable at this point or not worth it?

 

[Jfire]

What part of the country? If he's by you I would say not even a slow rehydration of 1 year will help bring back any flavors.

 

[Treinenwj]

Try it. What have you got to lose? There have been a couple threads about this, and the general concensus has been to give it a shot. Worst case scenario, the cigars are unsmokeable-- which is how they are right now. Best case scenario, you've restored some great cigars!

 

[zirotti]

He's in Chicago

 

[owensaz]

Anything is worth a try as long as you don't have to buy anything.. Ideally if you have multiple humi's you can progressively bring them back 5% rh at a time..at 10years there likely far gone but if all you've got to lose is some time..

Why not...?

 

[Trimble]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unfortunately, they're unsalvageable! In the past 10 years, they've lost the essential oils needed to age properly and would most likely taste very dull if smoked. Sorry bro, a real tragedy!

 

[Jfire]

Well it's a a long and slow process one that is going to take time and patience. If they're free and u have a lot of time then why not. I'm still going to say good luck though.

 

[zirotti]

thanks guys!

 

[SuprHasan]

As it's been said earlier, you have nothing to lose.
I'd throw in a calibrated hygro and 4 or so Bovedas at 65%, and leave it for 4 weeks. Do not open.
Check it (with a hygro) and replace the Bovedas if needed. Repeat for another 4 weeks.
At the end of 2 months, smoke one and see how it's going.

 

[JDog]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unfortunately, they're unsalvageable! In the past 10 years, they've lost the essential oils needed to age properly and would most likely taste very dull if smoked. Sorry bro, a real tragedy!

+1 I've tried this before from a few cigars that we not stored properly for 5 years from a relative. A few of the smokes were ones that I've had in my personal collection. They didn't taste as good. But, as others have mentioned, why not try.

 

[ciggy]

Wow..what a shame he let those go like that. I wish you luck brother...keep us posted!

 

[Craig Mac]

The real question is did you smack the shit out of him for neglecting good cigars like that?

 

[Alwayslit]

Good luck.

 

[zirotti]

Here is the carnage. Maybe NSFW lol

 

[Mathen]

Good lord, how do you let something like that happen? I'm not even super uptight about perfect storage conditions like some folks are and my lazy butt at least makes sure to add a little water when the humidity is low.

Shame

 

[aherzing]

After looking at the collection, you gotta try!

 

[owensaz]

At the very least use this as a experiment to learn the technique of "Re-humidification" Inevitably either yourself or someone you introduce into the game of Premium Cigar smoking will need this process to save maybe a week to 1 month dried out stick. If at the end of this trial run you can light one or two of those cigars and not have the filler and binder explode through the wrapper you can say you've got the technique down.

 

[Craig Mac]

I'll be the Debbie Downer. No... it's not worth it. You CAN salvage them and make SOME of them SMOKEABLE. That said...... after TEN YEARS of no humidity, all of the essential oils are gone.

So... you can spend the next year slowly bringing them back to smoke... and you'll find them all to taste bland, boring, or like ashy garbage. It's quicker and easier to throw them out.

Sorry, man.

I agree with that, but Jim thinks NC's taste like garbage anyway :eyepoke:

 

[XLBILL]

If the wrappers are in tact