Rinsing/dampening cigars before you smoke them

[WMGF]

After hearing a little bit about this from different places I finally decided to give it a shot and I have to say, it helped.

The stick itself seemed a little dry when I took it out of my humidor (the humidity had been a little low for a few days I guess) and decided to give it a go because I wanted to avoid cracks/explosions. Any way, I just rinsed it under the sink briefly (before it was cut) careful to let it run off and not soak up at the foot.

No cracks, burned great, and in general I think it helped out. It sounded like a whacky idea until I considered that cigars are kept kind of "damp" all the time any way and so rehydrating a drier one couldn't hurt.

 

[megladon8]

I've heard of people dipping certain cigars in red wine before smoking them, but have never heard of water "rinsing".

Sounds intriguing for a dried-out stick.

 

[MattBell]

Weird. I would have never tried this. I would be too scared. But good job on bringing a stick back to life!

 

[mthhurley]

Sounds intriguing for a dried-out stick.

That's the point though...the discussions have been about doing this to regular cigars...Not just dried out ones. All of us have had a wrapper split when you know you've kept a stick in perfect conditions, so the debate is around does a quick rinse help prevent that.

 

[Docbp87]

I've heard of people dipping certain cigars in red wine before smoking them

 

[megladon8]

My great uncle used to run a shop where he would treat various tobacco products (mostly cigars) with wines and liquors.

This was back in Ireland. I never actually met him, he died before I was born.

 

[smokinghole]

Pretty sure it's fairly common practice for people living in AZ and the like. I at least remember reading about it a decently long time ago.

 

[rabbgp]

Ken (oneaday) told me he has done this.

 

[Master Shake]

I've heard about doing this to dried out sticks to help bring them along but never before you smoke one. I'll try this with a non favorite stick and see how it goes. Very intriguing.

 

[Farani]

I've heard about doing this to dried out sticks to help bring them along but never before you smoke one. I'll try this with a non favorite stick and see how it goes. Very intriguing.

He issssssss the bus!!!!

 

[Cigary43]

It's called "wetting" and I've been doing this for almost a year now. I think it makes a difference in the over all enjoyment and profile and burn of the cigar. I first tried wetting my cigar and then smoking it within a half hour. I've since learned after much trial that letting it sit over nite and then smoking it within 24 hours gives the cigar more time to adapt to the "wetting" and I have to say it gives my cigars at least 25% better flavor. Obviously when you wet your cigars don't clip it and I just take a paper towel and dry it off afterwards...put it in my cigar savor for the next 24 hours and pull it out the next day and smoke it....excellent.

 

[srduggins]

I just spray lightly and run my finger over the wrapper to evenly distribute and get rif of the beading. I smoke within 5 - 10 minutes even if the wrapper hasn't completely dried. It dries soon enough anyway. I don't think this would help as much in a humid environment. This doesn't "rejuvenate" dried out cigars, but does help the burn, prevent cracking and seems to improve the flavor on aged sticks.

 

[Kurtdesign1]

Over on ICC "Wayne" discussed this EXTENSIVELY about 3 years ago. A good resource for the task at hand.

 

[Wink]

I have heard about the red wine thing, but I think they dip the cut end into the wine to get the taste on the cigar. Never tried it myself......

 

[Alwayslit]

I've heard of this a few years back. I thought it interesting but haven't tried it. I might try this on NC's over 10 years old to see what happens. Cigary43 way of wetting sounds very intriguing. I assume you use distilled water or any type?

 

[CWS]

I have done it in the past with dry sticks or if I am in the desert. Oneaday taught this. No problem.

 

[Dread]

Im actually interested in trying to dipping in wine idea, I might have to try that out with a few cheapies

 

[tandblov]

Over on ICC "Wayne" discussed this EXTENSIVELY about 3 years ago. A good resource for the task at hand.

And we all know how impeccable a resource THAT is. LOL...

Ill leave it to others to put water on their cigars. If you like it, have fun.

 

[PLUSH]

Over on ICC "Wayne" discussed this EXTENSIVELY about 3 years ago. A good resource for the task at hand.

Yep, this is where I rad about it. It caused quite a bit of drama.

 

[njstone]

Okay, I've been hearing a lot of good things lately about wetting cigars prior to smoking, and how it can enhance the flavors. Does anyone else want to chime in on this?

I'll do it during the winter sometimes to keep the wrapper from cracking while smoking, but never noticed a major flavor change. I'm very curious ...