Memorial Day Coolidor Inspection 2020

[cwant]

After finding some mold in a couple of cc boxes recently, I decided it was time to check the state of the collection.

I removed and opened all the boxes in my 150qt Coleman extreme, it’s mixed nc & cc storage with 65% boveda. Mold was found in a total of 9 boxes, all CCs, mixture of box types, dress boxes, cabs & tubos. The extent of the contamination was minor, only a handful of sticks affected, none in the foot.

I find it interesting that CCs in general seem to be more prone to mold and wonder the reason. Is it the tobacco itself, or curing/fermentation techniques? I know many prefer lower RH for CCs, could mine simply be too high? They seem to smoke fine. My average temps this time of year is around 75F, a little high but it could be a factor.

The mold was wipe off, and impacted boxes were placed on top to keep an eye on. Here are a few shots of contaminated sticks.

 

[BasicTek]

I was thinking that because CCs don't come in cello it makes them more prone to mold

I have never seen the issue with cigars in cello but CCs and some of my NCs (that I removed the cello from) have had the same issue

Even with 62% boveda's...

So the moral of the story is check your smokes at least quarterly...

 

[cwant]

I was thinking that because CCs don't come non-celloed it makes them more prone to mold

You could be on to something there. I have a handful of not celloed nc boxes, las calaveras, melanios and such. I’ve never found any mold in them but that could just be coincidence.

 

[Boudie]

I did a similar search a couple of weeks ago and found light mold scattered throughout a couple of boxes. After wiping away the mold I isolated the affected boxes and placed several more then normal 62% Bovedas in their new home. I may also lower my storage temperature.

 

[GaryPoe]

Found a mold spot on a leaf by oscar leaf wrapper i saved. Went through everything and found a few spots in my box of cheif cool arrows. Sanitized everything with rubbing alcohol, and went through everything. I cleaned out all trash and went through the entire hoard lightly rubbed them off as well. So far so good. Wish Boveda would do 68% for a temp buffer, 69%ers can go up to 70 and even 71 depending on temp.

 

[BasicTek]

You could be on to something there. I have a handful of not celloed nc boxes, las calaveras, melanios and such. I’ve never found any mold in them but that could just be coincidence.

Most of my NC's that have no celo had no issues yet (Lots of Oiva's) my only NC that has was an old box of H upman Vintage corona's, for CC's most have been good but I have a bunch of partagas that's I've had to wipe off a couple times and a few random othes.

To note all my CC's are now in 66 degree at 62% humidity and I still have the issues from time to time. Not sure how bad it would get if left unwatched. I did not do anything other than brush them off with a toothbrush so maybe sanatizing as mentioned would help.

 

[Old Smokey]

About every 6-9 months I remove all of my cigars from my wineador and inspect, organize and make a mental note on what I have. I haven't found any mold or beetle holes so far. I freeze all incoming cigars and keep my RH between 62-65, usually closer to 62. I use mostly (8lb) of silica kitty litter with some (2lbs) of Heartfelt Beads in a 170 bottle wine cooler without using the cooling function. This has been my setup and routine for over 5 years.

 

[Alwayslit]

After finding some mold in a couple of cc boxes recently, I decided it was time to check the state of the collection.

I removed and opened all the boxes in my 150qt Coleman extreme, it’s mixed nc & cc storage with 65% boveda. Mold was found in a total of 9 boxes, all CCs, mixture of box types, dress boxes, cabs & tubos. The extent of the contamination was minor, only a handful of sticks affected, none in the foot.

I find it interesting that CCs in general seem to be more prone to mold and wonder the reason. Is it the tobacco itself, or curing/fermentation techniques? I know many prefer lower RH for CCs, could mine simply be too high? They seem to smoke fine. My average temps this time of year is around 75F, a little high but it could be a factor.

The mold was wipe off, and impacted boxes were placed on top to keep an eye on. Here are a few shots of contaminated sticks.

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Dude that's plume! Time to sells those for double over at Wade's.