I'm currently smoking a 5 Vegas Relic - it is getting some black tar looking stuff coming out of the head. I cut off a bit more and it opened up the draw a bit which helped, but the "tar" is still coming out. What causes this? I haven't seen this since I smoked a Holt's Tropical Fever maduro. The flavors from this cigar are initially pretty good; but I think the tar is giving it a bad aftertaste. What is going on here?
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It can be caused by a few things. Too tight of a roll, too young, over humidified, smoking a cigar when it's cold and damp outside, etc.

It sucks when it happens, but luckily it rarely happens to good cigars.
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This is not accurate. I have it happen on several premium cigars both CC and NC. Most notably a Casa Fuente Torpedo and a Pam 64 maduro. :-)
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Happened with me with a Diamond Crown maduro torp. :-)
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How can you tell tar from cigar oils???
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Well I had to put the cigar down and let it die after the first third. I'm going to hope it is still just too wet. I have another that I'll let rest for a while.
I fired up a CI Legends Pepin and tonight's cigar experience is going much better now. :-)
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It's better, but the Legends Pepin is burning very poorly :-) Flavors are very tasty but I'm having to baby sit this thing constantly.
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How long have you had these sticks? CI ships pretty wet. It's usually best to let them rest a few weeks, and/or drybox.
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I should have known better; I got them yesterday :-)
however, the Legends Pepin I've had for at least a couple years - the cello was starting to yellow. And it is burning like total crap.
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And it just happened to be the CF I gave you! :-):-) what a doggy rocket.

This a great question, I was wondering the same thing.
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I've had it happen to numerous Opus X. I just cut a little more off the end.
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I've had this happen with some '98 BPCs and an AF (can't remember if it was an Opus or DC). There's nothing worse than tasting something bitter and finding tar bubbles on the head. Clipping may or may not help to fix the problem.
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This is why I smoke with a paper towel nearby- to tap that foot and get rid of those bubbles. Alas, it seems to happen frequently, and really hurts the tatse of the cigar. I'd say almost 50/50 tar-ry and not so. I usually lower my rating by 1/2 point if I have to deal with that bitter taste- unless the cigar is so fine it really doesn't matter. So, yes, to me this is a common problem-- or maybe I should say it is a not uncommon problem.
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Rarely is not equal to never.

Does it happen often when you smoke those cigars?
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I've had it happen to me only once though I've seen it on others' a couple times, unfortunately that once was with an 80s davidoff 3000
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I had this happen a couple of times over the winter. Once with a Camacho, once with an RyJ Havana Reserve Toro. Very different sticks, but both Toros. In both cases, it really ruined the smoking experience -- very bitter.
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I've noticed this happens on mostly small RG, figurado/pefecto, and torpedo shaped cigars. I think that with these types the "goo" just builds up with the smaller opening towards the head. I don't think it has to do with a stick not having enough rest at all. It happened to me on a very well aged Opus X A. Just clip 1/8' off and continue on as before.
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I have had almost no issues with tar in the ten years I have been smoking...I like to credit that to my slow and cold smoking style...if I can't put a cigar, while lit, on the palm of my hand comfortably, its too hot....anyhow, the one time it has happened, it happened on a VERY fresh Illusione ~f9~. I don't consider it bad, because it had almost a maple syrup flavor...

I hope that tar does not scare you from smoking other cigars in the future...
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I asked this question a while back and below is the answer I got from a manufacturer.

Remainder of that article can be found here
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Ive had it happen with a Padilla Miami torpedo. Never with anything else.
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