which solution do you like for plugged bastards?
[Reply]

Sometimes neither works. I'll try a poker once. If it don't work, I'm done. Unless it's a rare or a very expensive cigar, I spike it and grab another. Life's too short for plugged cigars.
[Reply]

If I can (RG permitting) will try a poker (I have one made from a 1/32 x 8" drill bit). Otherwise I toss it (although I hate doing this).

Have not tried dry-boxing as I don't figure that this will work for plugged cigars (The plugged cigars I run into are usually plugged because of rolling issues, not because they are too wet).
[Reply]

I store my cigars pretty dry. 55ish percent.

If I get a plugged cigar,it's history.
[Reply]

I store my cigars at 55 as well so it's rare that I get plugs, but it does happen. When you already store your sticks at 55 dry boxing is pretty pointless, you're down to poker for the most part.

Now by keeping your cigars at a lower rh you lose some of the rich flavors of a cigar which is part of the reason most people don't. I would imagine this would happen when dry boxing as well???
[Reply]

how do u regulate it down to 55?
[Reply]

Wow, Dave! I Worry That My Cigars Will Be Too Dry & Brittle When The RH Gets To 60! Guess I Don't Need To Worry!:-)
[Reply]

I used to use a poker more, but now I test draw after cutting to ensure it's not plugged. If it's plugged it goes back in the humidor for more rest....it's worked every time so far.
[Reply]

I think a reason people keep their cigars at a lower rh is because the flavor "pops" more. At least it does to me.
[Reply]

My Aristocrat has a active humidification Charles.
Greg,if my cigars were brittle and cracking,I would raise the humidity. :-)
[Reply]

:-) I Can't Help It That I'm "OCD"!:-) They Do Seem To Smoke Better In The Low 60's They're At, Now.:-)
[Reply]

I'll use a poker first, and if the draw is still not there, dry-box it for a few days rather than shredding it with continous poking...
[Reply]

Take a large-size paperclip, and unbend about 3-4" of it to be ruler-straight. Jam that carefully down both ends to get a better draw. Be careful or it will poke through the wrapper. Anything thicker than that is likely to split a cigar down the middle.

Also, I would never toss a hard-draw cigar, a peeling cigar, a dried-up cigar, a dried-up cigar or a cigar that was too mild or strong, or just tasted bad, or even a mouldy cigar (tastes great!)...I'm much too cheap.
[Reply]

If I know before lighting that a cigar is likely plugged, I may give dry-boxing a try, but I don't do it often.

After lighting I will work with the cigar poker for a couple minutes for a plug. If it doesn't open up enough to fully enjoy, I pitch it and grab another. As Greg, Dave and others have said, life is too short to waste time on a cigar you're not enjoying.
[Reply]

There are plugs, and there are plugs. If the dang thing is drawing like a dowel, I've found there is only one solution - chuck the bastid.
[Reply]

Plugged cigars get the ol' Trash-can Treatment. The procedure involves pitching it in the trash, and getting another smoke. Only happened once so far. Knock wood.
[Reply]