Question About Mold

[Soulmanure]

Hey folks,
long time lurker, first time poster here. Let me start by saying this is a fantastic site and beats all as far as I'm concerned. I myself am a recent convert to cigar smoking, a bit fixated on the Cuban variety, and hence have been trying as many different kinds as possible. I recently found the Romeo y Julieta ex. 4's to be fantastic and ordered a box.

Well, they arrived today, and as I excitedly opened them, alas, white stuff had formed on some of them. Fearing the worst, I began searching images and info for whether this be plume or this be mold, and I fear the mold. I haven't figured out the thumbnail process yet, but here are some images I just took:

http://www.ukcigarforums.com/album.php?albumid=149

Long story short, I'm wondering if you folks could send your expertise my way. If it is mold, should I have them sent back, or should I wipe it off and store them in my humidor? Currently, I have them in a tupperware container until I can figure out my next move. Best regards...

[Drewmidorn]

I'm thinking that is plume.... a light brush with you finger, or a clean shaving brush if you feeling lady like, will sort that.

D

[Soulmanure]

It does come off rather easily, but online sources seem to be at odds with one another about the nature of white mold versus plume, which is a bit frustrating. By the way, the box date is July 2008.

[jdawg]

Is the growth crystal like or fuzzy?

If it is crystal like, then it is plume. If it is fuzzy, then it is mold. It is hard to tell, but from what I can see in the pictures, it appears fuzzy and is probably mold.

[jdawg]

Then again if it brushes off easily, it is plume and you should have no worries.

[Soulmanure]

Definitely Fuzzy.

[jdawg]

Yeah, fuzzy is bad. Send them back!!!!

[Boss Hogg]

Looks like mold to me. With the white mold, as long as it is not on the foot... you can wipe it off. However, you spend your hard earn money on something nice, it should come nice. I have sent a box of Ashton VSG's back before that have looked like that. Bottom line is its up to you

[Soulmanure]

Yes, I'm pretty sure it is mold, though it is not extensive or at the foot. I've emailed the vendor and am awaiting their reply on a return. I was so looking forward to these.

[PoohBore]

use a uv light as one shows up white and one doesn't. Have a look at this thread and it will explain all. http://www.ukcigarforums.com/showthr...ighlight=mould.

Deano had some for sale recently.

[bigbarneyhotdog]

2008, way too young for bloom!

[Deano]

Yeh it looks like mold, only thing that made it look like plume was the fact one of the cigars had some down one of the leaf seams. Pretty sure it's mold though.

[daverave999]

I'm going to say mould too because of how young they are. That said, it looks minimal. If it just brushes off, store them below 70% and keep your eye on them every day for a week or two, and don't buy from the same place again. Or return them. Your call.

Even if it ISN'T mould, surely your seller should take them back if you aren't happy with them and haven't smoked any.

[bnelly]

"It is a white powdery crystalline residual that naturally occurs with age or when cigars are subject to a sudden increases in humidity. Bloom can be easily removed with a soft brush. Bloom can be distinguished from mould by shining a UV black-light on it in a dark-room.....bloom is reflective, mould is not."

[daverave999]

Has anyone here actually tried this with the UV light?

[EDIT]
Some helpful and interesting links:
Link1
Link2