What is this?

[dazzer]

So, noticed a couple of cigars that seem to show a sort of scaly appearance and texture. No flaking, but a different texture as if there has been water splashes and that part of the wrapper has dried differently somehow.

It is hard to explain, and possibly hard to see but I will include a couple of pics here:

2013-11-08 19.18.55.jpg2013-11-08 19.19.38.jpg

What does that look like to you? There is no crystallization, and I doubt they are old enough to have formed a plume yet anyway (18 months old). Not concerned in regards smoking them, but am very interested for my own knowledge building in the hobby.

They have been humidified between 15-18c and 65-67 rh for the last 3 weeks or so

[tippexx]

I would guess .... going by the colour of the 'flakes' and your humi tray .... it's wood dust.

Try getting a clean paint brush, brushing it off the cigars .... then brush out your humi and dividers .... and then re-season the humi and dividers.

[dazzer]

The humi was wiped and seasoned for 2 weeks with a shot glass to ensure adequate seasoning. Those cigars have been stored in the box, and came from the box that way.

The others appear fine, these 2 are the only ones affected, the texture is almost an integral part of the leaf and there is no flaking or dust or "stuff" as such to come off the cigar, the leaf itself is damaged.

What could have caused that damage going off the pics?

I am wondering if it is either disease on the leaf from when growing, or some later damage to the cigar perhaps via liquid spillage or whatever?

This pic should demonstrate the issue:

20131109_091737.jpg

[tippexx]

Might be anything then .... too much direct sun on the leaf, which is harmless .... or chemical spraying in an attempt to eradicate the deadly Cuban Orange Legged Banana Spider .... smoke it and you will be sick and need bits of you amputated!

[dazzer]

lmao oh I will be smoking it, after nearly 30 years of roll ups, smoking and health aren't usually two ideas I overly concern myself with

Actually, thinking about it (although being aware of stories about potentially lax quality control on occasion with the cuban cigar industry) this is probably post rolling damage... Can't imagine they would select that as a wrapper if the damage was apparent at time of rolling?

Certainly a mystery.

[monkey66]

Look fine to me.

Smoke 'em if you got 'em

[dazzer]

They will be the first 2 of those smoked lol

BTW you're famous but must work on your lighting technique...apparently lol If it's smoking, it seems to be lit correctly to me.

Watching pt.2 now!

[Andy B]

it looks like you have some cigars with a "toothy wrapper". I see in the photos the Edicion Limitada band and that would be quite possible for EL's. Not very common on most Cuban cigars but can be seen somewhat often on Dominican and Honduran wrappers.

[butternutsquashpie]

an attempt to eradicate the deadly Cuban Orange Legged Banana Spider ....

better be safe than sorry! much rather have those wrappers than this happening to your cigars:

http://news.sky.com/story/1163467/deadly-spiders-found-in-supermarket-bananas

[SteveGriff]

it looks like you have some cigars with a "toothy wrapper". I see in the photos the Edicion Limitada band and that would be quite possible for EL's. Not very common on most Cuban cigars but can be seen somewhat often on Dominican and Honduran wrappers.

That's what I always assumed as a toothy wrapper too (i.e - the pics above). I usually find that kind of effect with dark, thick tobacco.

[dazzer]

it looks like you have some cigars with a "toothy wrapper". I see in the photos the Edicion Limitada band and that would be quite possible for EL's. Not very common on most Cuban cigars but can be seen somewhat often on Dominican and Honduran wrappers.

That's what I always assumed as a toothy wrapper too (i.e - the pics above). I usually find that kind of effect with dark, thick tobacco.

Aaaahhhh "tooth/toothy" is something I have been trying to pin down, everything I read just said bumpy/lumpy which didn't adequately convey it for me to properly distinguish between the normal lumps and bumps you find on a cigar (compared to cigarettes) and actual tooth. Excellent stuff, thanks everyone for your input

better be safe than sorry! much rather have those wrappers than this happening to your cigars:
http://news.sky.com/story/1163467/de...market-bananas

A good point well made lol.

I do check for other bugs though, tiny holes and dust by tapping and seeing if anything falls out of the foot ... no idea how effective a test it is but makes me feel like I am doing something lol

[SteveGriff]

Usually, when smoke a Cigar with a toothy wrapper, they look like white dots of ash....

I'm by no means an expert on this Just me own observations and experiences

[dazzer]

Usually, when smoke a Cigar with a toothy wrapper, they look like white dots of ash....

I'm by no means an expert on this Just me own observations and experiences

Now you mention that, habanos karlos or karlos habanos on youtube was smoking the same stick and he said his was toothy and commented on white spots in the ash. I couldn't see the detail of the stick from the video to compare with mine... I will try to be cognisant of that when I smoke these 2 and see if I spot the white dots.

Thanks mate... enjoy your youtube too lol and pandyboys and no doubt everyone elses...I am a youtube addict.