Spongey cigar

[bambini]

I've just inspected my sticks, and I've noticed that one of the Monte Grand Edmundos I bought recently has gone a mite spongey. The other feels fine, as do the rest of my cigars. Anyone know why this might be?

Key facts:
- Humi is running at 70% according to a calibrated but unfortunately analogue hygo
- My cigars have recently been moved to the humi from a humidified jar (checked the humidity in the jar becofre I removed all the cigars and it was 70%)
- The GE in question did not appear to be spongey when bought (online) and seemed fine when kept in the jar for several weeks. It may have been against a boveda pouch in the jar, I can't be sure.
- I don't know what "too spongey" feels like, so couldn't tell you if it's in a bad way or just happens to be a slightly more loosely constructed cigar. I can tell yo that the cigar is slightly more spongey in a particular spot, although it feels soft throughout
- It has been sitting in the corner of the humi - don't know if that would make a difference, although the room the humi's in has been slightly cooler of late.

[jdawg]

It has been overhumidified.

I would lower the humidity and possibly invest in a digital hygrometer. Analogs suck donkey balls!!!

[eggopp]

From my experience spongy means a little to moist, maybe that one was originally stored at a different temp to the rest before you got them. Ive smoked them like it and it doesnt make any difference to its flavours albeit a little harder work than normal.

You can either leave it, dry box it or just smoke it when you next fancy a cigar, prioritise that one over the rest.

[bambini]

Hmm...better fix that. I can't smoke it though, I'm saving it for my friend's wedding - in 4 years

Out of interest though, why aren't the other sticks going like that?

[jdawg]

Possibly, this stick may have been closest to the humidifier.

[bambini]

OK, how do I lower the RH? I'm using beads - do I just get different beads?

(in case you were wondering, I'm starting to get anxious, hence the frantic questioning style )

EDIT: Not beads, gel crystals.

[jdawg]

Since the other cigars appear to be fine, I wouldn't get to worried. I would first get a digital hygrometer to get a better gauge of the humidity levels. If it reads high, you could leave the lid open for a short time to lower the humidity level.

[seanbeer]

if others smoke and feel fine in the same storage place, i don't see why one stick will be different. move it away from the humipad and let it rest there a week then see if it dry down a bit.

[satch]

I've got a couple of these I got from here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DIGITAL-THERMOMETER-HYGROMETER-MAX-MIN-MEMORY-/330476452913?pt=UK_Collectables_Tobacciana

Use your analogue one for target practice!

[G-man]

If its only the one cigar don't worry. Most cigars IMHO smoke and taste better between 60 and 65 % RH . The one thats to moist place in a empty cigar box for a day before you smoke it. (dry boxing) And it will be good to go when you fire it up .

[Aussiewaz]

If its only the one cigar don't worry. Most cigars IMHO smoke and taste better between 60 and 65 % RH . The one thats to moist place in a empty cigar box for a day before you smoke it. (dry boxing) And it will be good to go when you fire it up .

I was thinking this as well. Besides, if they are ageing 4 years you have plenty of time to NOT stress on it. Relax, all will be fine when they even out after a few weeks methinks. If it is still spongy compared to the rest after a few weeks it's just loosely rolled.

[bambini]

Seems to be settling now. I've moved the boveda pouch further away from the cigar, and it seems to be doing OK now. Crisis over!

I wonder if part of it is that my cigars have all been consistently a bit dry until now, and so I'm not used to them feeling a bit softer. As I said in my OP, I've never had a hygro before, and I have no idea when my cigars have been at a good humidity, nor what a properly humidified cigar should feel like

[Aussiewaz]

As I said in my OP, I've never had a hygro before, and I have no idea when my cigars have been at a good humidity, nor what a properly humidified cigar should feel like

Thats going to make it hard I agree. Next time you smoke a cigar you know, feel it before you smoke it. If it is true to form then that is exactly what a well humidified cigar should feel like. Takes time but you'll get it. *Smile*

[Seriesteve]

Some of these Cigars seemed to be very loosely pack with Tobacco, been quite a few others commenting on this, including me.
Probaly that.... who knows, be interesting to hear your comments when you smoke it ?
Ss