Is It OK to Smoke a Dry Cigar?

by

Rehydrating Dry Cigars

Dried cigars taste bitter, burn fast, and hot. The smoke is unpleasant. Instead of smoking dry cigars, consider rehydrating them first. Although some flavor complexity may be lost, rehumidified cigars still taste infinitely better than allowing them to dry out fully or disposing of them altogether.

  • You can rehydrate dry cigars by storing them in a humidor. It may take days or weeks depending on their condition. During this process, rotate and visually inspect cigars to ensure even rehydration. Once supple to the touch, they should be suitable to smoke again.

  • The pinch test assesses cigar humidity through feel. Gently squeeze a cigar between fingers. A properly conditioned cigar feels subtly springy. If it cracks or crumbles, it requires further humidification. Visible inspection also provides hints. An overly dry cigar appears brittle or faded.

Maintaining Cigar Quality

Crafting a fine cigar relies on the conditions of the surrounding environment. Cigars absorb moisture but dry out quickly. To preserve quality and flavor, a cigar’s environment must be recreated.

  • Cigars are hygroscopic, absorbing moisture yet drying fast. Thus, their native habitat must be replicated and maintained to keep quality and taste. Let’s consider temperature.

  • Too hot dries cigars with cracked wrappers. If the temperature dips, no need to panic. Storing below 70 degrees Fahrenheit prevents beetle outbreaks.

  • Humidity plays a big role. Cigars soak up and keep moisture. Know that cigars should be kept in a humidor until smoking.

General Guidelines for Cigar Storage

Is it bad to smoke an old cigar? Aged cigars may be hard and lack moisture. Proper storage conditions prevent spoilage and maintain smoking qualities. For instance, imagine you have a cigar that dried somewhat. Is it safe to smoke yet? Let’s discuss.

  • While the taste of a rehumidified cigar falls short of a fresh, properly stored one, it remains favorable compared to the bitter, hot harshness of smoking an overly dried cigar. Rather than assume aged stogies ruin the smoking experience, first attempt to reintroduce moisture. With a bit of TLC, aged gems may provide quite the memorable smoke.

  • A dry cigar loses oils providing elasticity, leaving the leaf to crack. Dry cigars shed oils, losing distinguishable taste from premium ones. If too dry, the tobacco will crack and burn. The sugars disappear, essentially smoking flavorless leaves.

  • You can gradually re-humidify dried cigars over weeks or months. But if the wrapper cracks or oils evaporate, replacement may be required.

Properly stored, cigars stay fresh two to six months. Neglect causes dryness, stagnant flavors, hotter burn. But TLC brings aged gems a memorable smoke.

Leave a Comment