Recovering old gems: Restoring & Rehumidifying

[Soundwave13]

Potentially I have a big box of old & expensive cigars coming my way.
Free.

Great right?

Only they haven't been maintained properly.
(At least I get a humidor out of it - which is a god-send right now.)

I haven't found any threads discussing how to (other than simple re-humidifying) and any tips or tricks to healing & restoring some old tired beauties.


I'd love to hear some other people's experiences, tips and tricks!!!

Post em if ya got em...

:angel:

 

[djustice]

I've never had to do it myself but I know it should be an extremely slow process (slower, the better). This is what I've heard from others. Start it off at a low humidity (how low I'm not sure, maybe someone else can weigh in on this) and let them stabilize (how long, ???). After stabilizing for awhile (???) raise the humidity maybe 5% and let them stabilize again. Repeat the process until you achieve the proper humidity.

Keep in mind that if the tobacco has dried out too much it will have lost some of its natural oils. This will effect the flavor, so they will never be what they once where.

 

[indyrob]

Well re-hydrating cigars are possible, it's not going to revive the cigar completely. I've heard of letting cigars dryout for a short period of time and re-hydrating them, but not recommended for long dried out cigars.

If you do want to bring a cigar back to smoking levels, do it slowly. The cigar is going to take on moisture from the outside in. Put it in a bag with a boveda for about a month and see what it's like then. It might take up to 2 months to get it somewhat smokeable.

I think you'll notice right off the bat that there is a difference in smoking a re-hydrated cigar than one that's been in the proper enviorment for a long time.

 

[Anthem]

I do not know if they can ever be brought back completely.

This is just my opnion. However I have found in personal experiance that slowly start light to somewhat heavy humidification is best or better when you use a lof of sheets of thin spanish ceader (yep the same that come in the boxes) between each layer of the cigars and even going as far as between each cigar itself.

The reason is that this cedar will hold that moisture closer to the cigar without it being a straight damp source AND the cedar of course departs a wonderful taste into those old delights AND it allows for a little more air flow to those pretty sticks who sound like they need it bad.

I am anxious to hear if this will work for you as it has for me. Best of luck

 

[dpricenator]

Most likely these smokes are dead. That doesn't mean they won't smoke, but that a lot of the flavor will be gone. I would get the humidor seasoned to about 50% rh and store the beads for a a couple of months at 50% then raise it in 5% increments over the next 4 months. This will prevent a sudden expansion of the filler which in turns will crack or split the wrapppers. Good luck, who knows they may just come back and be great.

 

[vperlman]

Yup, what these guys all said. Based on my experience, it isn't worth the effort, no matter how expensive or good those cigars once were. But nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

 

[Soundwave13]

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained" - Damn right.

I'm really trying to check my expectations - and I'm more than grateful to get my hands on another badly needed humidor...

My 'friend' served over seas for years & was quite the enthusiast & has/had quite a collection.

He got sick a year & a half back and hasn't smoked since. He claims that none of em are cracking or peeling, but they haven't been maintained.

I will try like hell to bring these back to life...

Thanks for the advise & I'll be sure to keep ya'll posted.

 

[Anthem]

Just curious.

What type of cigars are they.

Tubed? If so you may have a better chance.

 

[Soundwave13]

$,$$$'s worth of ISOMs
Tubed? - No idea.

They're all probably dead unfortunately.

 

[jwintosh]

vewy vewy swowwwwly!

 

[Proud Bear]

A lot will also depend on the state of the cigars upon arrival. If they are coming from the desert and haven't been properly cared for, you may have a dozen tumbleweeds, in which case you should just bend over and kiss them goodbye.

Just about any climate with some humidity will keep cigars fairly well. Remember that in the curing and aging process, much of the production still takes place in only mildly controlled environments- with Rh fluctuating up and down constantly. If you have the patience, take the advice above and spend the time reviving them. Some guys will age boxes for years- so what's 9 months of work to see if these sticks make it back?

The only thing I can say for certain is that any time you revive cigars that have been below 55 or so for a good amount of time, they will have lost some of their original oil. The question is how much- which can only be answered by smoking them.

Bear

PS- If they are dry, brittle, ...whatever they are-, and you DO decide to revive them, DO NOT,... I repeat, DO NOT fondle them. Don't roll them, don't squeeze them. If you must pick them up (which you probably will need to do) - be EXTREMELY gentle. The easiest way to !@#$ up a repairable cigar is to compromise it's structural integrity, and anything but a gentle touch can instantly destroy all the smokability of a revive-able cigar.

 

[Brazilla]

I tried this once. A friend of mine forgot a box of Short Stories in his closet for about 6 months. Here in Texas the humidity levels run about 25 to 40%..about. I was working in a B&M at the time and he asked me if there was anything I could do about it. I took them to the shop and did the following. First I took a wet paper towel and wiped them all down then wrapped them in thin Cedar strips. Tucked them back in the box and left them outside the humidors for about 2 weeks. The inside of store usually had a much higher rh than the outside but less than the humidors themselves. I then placed the in a locker humidified to 70%. About evey week or so I would towel them down with a wet paper towel. My reasoning was that the filler/binder would absorb mosture much faster than the wrapper and I didn't want the wrappers to spilt. After about four months I took one out and smoked it. I do believe I restored the mosture but the oils were history. There was hardly any taste left and they were somewhat harsh. That was my experience anyway.

 

[Moro]

I got some Cohiba Esplendidos from an uncle of mine which were rehumidified (just as all above have recommended). I must say, flavor's not the same...

 

[AnejoMofo]

A lot will also depend on the state of the cigars upon arrival.

Exactly. They could have been stored at 65% humidity accidentally just because of where they were, then they'd probably be in good shape.

I've seen many a cigar explode due to rapid rehumidification. Like everyone else said, take 'er easy.

 

[Soundwave13]

Okay, sort of bad news...

Turns out the sticks were over-humidified: at the bottom there was green & black mold.

The top couple layers of sticks seem okay - no visual mold. These have been removed in case they are still good - any advise?

The humidor is being cleaned out & the glass top replaced.. I'm not too sure if I even want it at this point.


Anyone think those sticks are okay? Or is it all a loss?
(I get a little green just thinkin about it. - No way am I putting those sticks in with my others...)

 

[Moro]

I'd say toss 'em. I mean, ye DID say black mold...