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The topic of whether your cigars are showing signs of mold often comes up on the forum. i thought that I would post an updated thread to help people identify that weird stuff growing on their cigars.
Here are some things that every cigar smoker should know:
- In high humidity cigars can sometimes begin to grow mold.
- Mold can often be misdiagnosed when cigars begin to show sign of "plume," which is natural byproduct of proper aging. It can also be misdiagnosed as a result of a third culprit in the form of spotting on your cigars made by mineral deposits. This is a result of the type of water you use in your humidification device, which may not be something that ruins the smoking experience, but it still may be something that you want to avoid if possible. In "Frankenstein's Monster" terms this all can be summed up as "Mold: bad
Plume: good 
Mineral Deposits: Your call dude 
Here is a great (and short) article that will help you diagnose the stuff that may be growing on your cigars http://www.bestcigarprices.com/blog/...loom-or-plume/
If you have already identified the substance and determined you have mold on your cigars, what do you do?
First, the cigars that are moldy need to be removed for close examination and the cigars that look fine need to be placed in a new container (try Tupperware as it is only a temporary resting place). Your best bet is to throw out cigars that have mold growing on the foot of the cigar. This is pretty much a guarantee that the mold has infected the inside of the cigar and smoking it will make you sick. Other cigars that show small amounts of mold on the wrapper can be cured if you want to try and salvage them.
- Wipe the mold off with a dry cloth
- Put a small amount of pure alcohol on the cloth and wipe the cigars again to kill off any spores left behind.
- Put the cigars in the refrigerator for a week and they should be good to go.
The Humidor
- Rub down the inside of your humidor with the alcohol as well. You have to get the mold spores out of your humidor. Get every corner and nook and cranny.
- Let the humidor dry out and then re-season it. For tips on seasoning your humidor click here.
The unaffected cigars can be returned to the humidor with the cured cigars, but just for safe measure I would keep them separated for a few weeks.
I had to do this with a friend of mine who had a huge mold problem. It took a little bit of patience and care, but well worth the effort.
Anyone else had to do this?
Here are some things that every cigar smoker should know:
- In high humidity cigars can sometimes begin to grow mold.
- Mold can often be misdiagnosed when cigars begin to show sign of "plume," which is natural byproduct of proper aging. It can also be misdiagnosed as a result of a third culprit in the form of spotting on your cigars made by mineral deposits. This is a result of the type of water you use in your humidification device, which may not be something that ruins the smoking experience, but it still may be something that you want to avoid if possible. In "Frankenstein's Monster" terms this all can be summed up as "Mold: bad
Plume: good Mineral Deposits: Your call dude Here is a great (and short) article that will help you diagnose the stuff that may be growing on your cigars http://www.bestcigarprices.com/blog/...loom-or-plume/
If you have already identified the substance and determined you have mold on your cigars, what do you do?
First, the cigars that are moldy need to be removed for close examination and the cigars that look fine need to be placed in a new container (try Tupperware as it is only a temporary resting place). Your best bet is to throw out cigars that have mold growing on the foot of the cigar. This is pretty much a guarantee that the mold has infected the inside of the cigar and smoking it will make you sick. Other cigars that show small amounts of mold on the wrapper can be cured if you want to try and salvage them.
- Wipe the mold off with a dry cloth
- Put a small amount of pure alcohol on the cloth and wipe the cigars again to kill off any spores left behind.
- Put the cigars in the refrigerator for a week and they should be good to go.
The Humidor
- Rub down the inside of your humidor with the alcohol as well. You have to get the mold spores out of your humidor. Get every corner and nook and cranny.
- Let the humidor dry out and then re-season it. For tips on seasoning your humidor click here.
The unaffected cigars can be returned to the humidor with the cured cigars, but just for safe measure I would keep them separated for a few weeks.
I had to do this with a friend of mine who had a huge mold problem. It took a little bit of patience and care, but well worth the effort.
Anyone else had to do this?
Strangly, I am finding this thread to be most interesting and entertaining. Informative, too! 
Jay, Ray Jay.
Hey RJ! I've learned that alcohol goes in your mouth, not on your stick.
don TJ and the 
Coros
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