Freezing cigars

[jebloom22]

Didn't see any specifically related posts, so sorry if this is a repeat of sorts.

I see many people recommending that you freeze your cigar purchases before putting them into the humidor to ensure that beetles don't hatch.

By following this step, isn't it true that the quality of the cigar will decrease after having been frozen? Don't we lose oils, change the textures of the tobaccos, and risk changes to the flavor profiles?

I had a beetle once in a CC, 11+ years ago or so, but no problems since, and my cigars remain at ~65/65. Something just doesn't seem right to me about taking fresh cigars and freezing them and then unfreezing them, despite seeing some of the cigar veterans on here recommending it.

Anyone care to comment either way?

 

[amsgpwarrior]

I would never dare freeze cigars personally. I know people who do it and swear by it, but I just can't see the logic in it. The oils are such an important attribute of the cigar that I wouldn't dare alter the cigar that way to save a few sticks. I know a friend who ruined a box of Monte A's freezing them. They tasted like paper after freezing them. That was around $800 wasted. I've had beetles hatch and get to a couple CC's before. i just dropped the humidity down and the temp slightly and they died. I dumped the beetles out of the humidor and never had another problem. It gave me a reason to smoke some of my CC's that the beetles got to. Still smoked like a dream.

 

[njstone]

I've done it a couple times, but not regularly.

 

[Mutombo]

I don't freeze stuff that I put in my wine cooler, since it's temp controlled, but I do freeze the stuff that goes into my cooler. My apartment can get pretty warm in the summer, so I'd rather not have to worry about temperatures.

I haven't noticed any differences in frozen sticks. Triple bag/saran wrap boxes, get all the air out, and 72 hrs in the freezer. A little time to rest in the humi and they are back to normal.

 

[aea6574]

Lots of information out there. I personally freeze all my stuff, better safe than sorry. And have never noticed any diference.

Best regards, tony

 

[JNT]

I recently posted on this, and a general consensus was that Cubans since around 07 are already frozen before being distributed. If that's true, why do it twice.

I would consider it, if I were to get a box, and not even crack the seal, and planned on burying it in a box for some years.

 

[DieselDog]

It has to be a deep freeze freezer to work, not the freezer attached to your fridge.

 

[Thecatch83]

I would never dare freeze cigars personally. I know people who do it and swear by it, but I just can't see the logic in it. The oils are such an important attribute of the cigar that I wouldn't dare alter the cigar that way to save a few sticks. I know a friend who ruined a box of Monte A's freezing them. They tasted like paper after freezing them. That was around $800 wasted. I've had beetles hatch and get to a couple CC's before. i just dropped the humidity down and the temp slightly and they died. I dumped the beetles out of the humidor and never had another problem. It gave me a reason to smoke some of my CC's that the beetles got to. Still smoked like a dream.

Most cigars are either A: Frozen from the factory or B: Fumigated to rid tobacco of eggs and I believe every CC is shipped after freezing. So sorry to break the news to you, but virtually every cigar you are smoking has been frozen. I freeze everything before it goes into my cooler, and there is IMO absolutely no taste difference, and no evidence that freezing removes oils or changes the flavors when sealed in double zip locks. I'm curious to where you are getting your information? There are numerous sources online with easy to fallow steps, and I would rather error on the side of caution, rather than lose hundreds of cigars worth thousands of dollars.

 

[Thecatch83]

I recently posted on this, and a general consensus was that Cubans since around 07 are already frozen before being distributed. If that's true, why do it twice.

I would consider it, if I were to get a box, and not even crack the seal, and planned on burying it in a box for some years.

Simple! Because those same frozen cigars come in contact with other cigars that could be infected during the shipping/storing process before they reach your humidor. Cigars frozen from the factory, are still vulnerable.

It has to be a deep freeze freezer to work, not the freezer attached to your fridge.

Research has proven this to be false, and the household freezer is cold enough to destroy eggs.

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7919

 

[hawaiian]

My freezer goes to -8F and it's your basic french door refrigerator purchased from bestbuy. I put all my cigars, NC and CC through the freezer for at least 3 days before going into the humi. I use the ziploc vacuum bags and they work pretty good.

Yes they "may" have been frozen before for "may" have been fumigated but we all know there are eggs in cigars. If I freeze them then I know for a fact all the eggs and beetles are dead. I don't have to worry if there is a spike in temp because I killed them all myself.

2 weeks rest in the humi after the freezer and I can't tell the difference.

 

[CWS]

Only on an outbreak and only the cigars affected.

 

[maverickdrinker]

I freeze everything. Better safe than sorry. I even wrap the boxes for long term storage in cling wrap to ensure no outbreaks and to deter me from breaking open the box.

 

[Beef Supreme]

Another risk that hasnt been noted here is there is a potential for the cigar to crack, and lose the wrapper, or even split! I agree with the fact that it should only be done when an outbreak is potentially viable.

 

[HarleyMark13]

So do you put them in the fridge before going in the freezer and then afterwards. Or just toss them in?

 

[Chrisso]

HarleyMark13,

First room temp in a zip baggie (double zip baggie as some has suggested to be safe), Fridge for a day or two, then freezer (deep freeze if you have one) for 3 or 4 days (IMO), and then fridge again for a day, and then let rest at room temp before dropping them back in the Humi.

Just my 2 cents, hope it helps.

-Chrisso

 

[fuente~fuente]

Never frozen anything, never had a problem...


Chances are, if you take care of your sticks the way they're supposed to be taken care of, you won't either.


I don't knock people for taking no chances, as long as they don't knock me for being lazy. :grin:

 

[Beef Supreme]

HarleyMark13,

First room temp in a zip baggie (double zip baggie as some has suggested to be safe), Fridge for a day or two, then freezer (deep freeze if you have one) for 3 or 4 days (IMO), and then fridge again for a day, and then let rest at room temp before dropping them back in the Humi.

Just my 2 cents, hope it helps.

-Chrisso

this I would suggest is the best way, so that the cigars are not exposed to temp extremes in either direction. Just note that leaving the cigars in a freezer for extended periods can ruin the flavor.... just passing on what I found out at one point

 

[Chrisso]

this I would suggest is the best way, so that the cigars are not exposed to temp extremes in either direction. Just note that leaving the cigars in a freezer for extended periods can ruin the flavor.... just passing on what I found out at one point

Worth mentioning, regarding the flavor. I personally have not experienced any flavor loss, however I have only done this to one batch of sticks which are still resting.

I do have it on good authority (many good senior BOTL's in this forum) that there has been no loss of flavor.

Considering that most CC rollers now freeze their sticks before shipping, would indicate that they also believe there to be no loss of flavor as well.

Not debating, I honestly dont know, but felt it worthy of mentioning.

Regards,
-Chrisso

 

[theillestshogun]

Freezing cigars sounds CRAZY I've never even heard of it.

 

[Beef Supreme]

this I would suggest is the best way, so that the cigars are not exposed to temp extremes in either direction. Just note that leaving the cigars in a freezer for extended periods can ruin the flavor.... just passing on what I found out at one point

Worth mentioning, regarding the flavor. I personally have not experienced any flavor loss, however I have only done this to one batch of sticks which are still resting.

I do have it on good authority (many good senior BOTL's in this forum) that there has been no loss of flavor.

Considering that most CC rollers now freeze their sticks before shipping, would indicate that they also believe there to be no loss of flavor as well.

Not debating, I honestly dont know, but felt it worthy of mentioning.

Regards,
-Chrisso

Mine picked up what tasted like the baggie that I transported them in. could have been because they were stored in it for a while, even a period of being in the car at a high temp. Could have just been a fluke experience