Mold on my Cubans. Newbie needs help!

[Sixshot84]

Hi all,

I brought back around 20 cigars from Cuba back in March. At first I kept them in a humidor I bought our there, having seasoned it with a boveda pack, and then added a 72% pack. But it dried out so quickly I think it's faulty so I've since kept them in a zip lock bag given to me by a shop in Havana, with another 72% pack.

Today I opened it to take a look and I discovered 2 of them have some white mold. They were both in their tubes with the caps removed. Some others are naked in there. I've attached a picture. It's only these 2 as far as I can tell. I've removed them from the bag and put the others back.

Any ideas what I should do? Are my others at risk? Is it down to the hot weather we've been having? My thermometer was reading 80degrees and digital hygrometer reads 74 to 76 most of the time. It was pretty cheap so I assumed it was over reading and the boveda was doing its job.

Any advice appreciated!

Thanks, Sam

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[PeeJay]

Hi Sam, 74-76% is a bit high, most people aim for 65%. If the mold brushes off don't worry, just smoke them.

[Alexw33]

There is only one safe solution, submit all your sticks to me immediately for testing... one by one using a flame .

In all seriousness as PeeJay says just brush it off you’ll be fine. Maybe try a lower RH boveda pack too.

[thedame007]

Hi Sam, 74-76% is a bit high, most people aim for 65%. If the mold brushes off don't worry, just smoke them.

This. All of this.

[thedame007]

Also if they’re direct from Cuba I would freeze them as at this temp and humidity beetles can easily hatch!

[Sixshot84]

Thanks guys. No need to panic then. Think I'll make a tupperdor instead of the zip lock and get a lower rh boveda then.

Will also look into freezing, hadn't thought of that!

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[gojira]

As PeeJay said, just brush off the mold. I wold keep them apart from your other cigars for 6 to 8 weeks. If the mold doesn't come back after that just place them with your other cigars again.

[PeeJay]

Thanks guys. No need to panic then. Think I'll make a tupperdor instead of the zip lock and get a lower rh boveda then.

Will also look into freezing, hadn't thought of that!

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Tupperware or even better a Lock'n'lock is the best way to start. They really hold onto the humidity and don't absorb any themselves unlike a wooden humidor. Just pop in a 65% Boveda and it will work for months. if you're going to freeze your sticks then wrap them well. Everyone has their own opinion but I do two days in the fridge, two in the freezer and then another two in the fridge. You only need to do this for cigars bought in Cuba or at source.

[Sixshot84]

Tupperware or even better a Lock'n'lock is the best way to start. They really hold onto the humidity and don't absorb any themselves unlike a wooden humidor. Just pop in a 65% Boveda and it will work for months. if you're going to freeze your sticks then wrap them well. Everyone has their own opinion but I do two days in the fridge, two in the freezer and then another two in the fridge. You only need to do this for cigars bought in Cuba or at source.

Ok, I've popped the lot in the fridge. I'll wrap them individually in cling film and put back tomorrow, and give plenty of protection before the freezer.

I read somewhere you need to add cedar wood to the tupperware. Is that true? And if so, any idea where to get it? Google isn't throwing much up. Are the thin sheets in my metal tubes cedar? Would they do?

Thanks again.

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[PeeJay]

Ok, I've popped the lot in the fridge. I'll wrap them individually in cling film and put back tomorrow, and give plenty of protection before the freezer.

I read somewhere you need to add cedar wood to the tupperware. Is that true? And if so, any idea where to get it? Google isn't throwing much up. Are the thin sheets in my metal tubes cedar? Would they do?

Thanks again.

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All the cedar will do is soak up moisture and add smell, if your container doesn't smell then don't worry about it.

[K444HEP]

All the cedar will do is soak up moisture and add smell, if your container doesn't smell then don't worry about it.

If your container does have that slight plastic smell, leave it with the lid off for a day or so and that will dissipate. Some people pack their tupperdors with newspaper to absorb smells prior to loading their sticks. The former has always worked for me.

[puropunch]

is this whats known as plume?

[gojira]

is this whats known as plume?

Plume is a myth invented by cigar stores to sell moldy stock.

[puropunch]

Plume is a myth invented by cigar stores to sell moldy stock.

Haha is it really, why am i not surprised! cheers for the education [MENTION=13450212]gojira[/MENTION]

[SHAMZ84]

Yea FOH ran a detailed study in the past year about it....if I find the link I'll post it in here.

https://www.themysterywhisky.co.uk