Tar

sightunseen

I just finished a cigar, which had developed some tar at around the second 3rd. By the final third, the tar build-up was overwhelming and I had to toss it. I had cut the cigar but to no avail. My question is, was the tar a product of the cigar being in its sick period? Would additional aging prevent this from happening?

madurofan

Sick period?

I've never thought about more aging helping with tar buildup. Typically a cigar with a torpedo shaped head or one that is particularly oily. Also smoking too fast will cause it. I have this problem with a lot of Padrons.

dennisking

so was it seeping from the tip or just a lot of oily flavor on the palate

j0z3r

Most of the cigars I've had tar problems with have also had a tight draw, my theory is that the restricted air flow causes the tar to be drawn toward the head. On some cigars there is likely nothing you can do about it, but with a torpedo I make sure and give a generous cut to allow adequate air flow.

Goldy

The worst tar gar I have had was a Serie R Torpedo. Other shapes I have tried in that same line dont seem to be as bad as the torpedo.

bbc020

j0z3r:

Most of the cigars I've had tar problems with have also had a tight draw, my theory is that the restricted air flow causes the tar to be drawn toward the head. On some cigars there is likely nothing you can do about it, but with a torpedo I make sure and give a generous cut to allow adequate air flow.

I agree...I seem to get less tar build up when the draw is a bit more free than tight. I too try to cut torpedos somewhat generously to allow for a better draw

sightunseen

So the cigar in question was a Man O War robusto. By the end of the 1st 1/3 and the beginning of the second 1/3, the tar was seeping at the head. The draw had a little bit of resistance, but it was by no means tight. The wrapper was really oily, so that plays into madurofan's theory.

I agree with the opinion that torpedos need a generous cut so that you don't end up with a tight draw and restricited air flow. I guess related to that, has anyone heard of a D1ck Cut? Apparently it was named after a salesman that worked for Atladis, who would cut torpedos at a 45 degree angle. His theory was that it provided a wider surface area which in turn improved the flavor.

madurofan

I still wanna know what the sick period is ...

sightunseen

madurofan:

I still wanna know what the sick period is ...

I think the term applies more to ISOMs. ISOMs are known to have sick periods because the manufacturers rush their cigars to market to fullfil demand, so the sticks don't get a lot of age time after they've been rolled. I've heard that if you ever get an ISOM, you should either smoke it right away or let it rest for at least 6 months so the cigar can "finish" the aging that should have taken place at the factory.

Hawk55

Sorry to ask this...ISOMs...? Interesting thread, I just usually attribute the "tar build up" to a tight draw and smoking too quickly...???

nightmaremike31

Min Ron Nee:

CigarCyclopedia PDF

The “sick period” is marked by the unpleasant smell of ammonia when smelling the cigars. Nee notes that this is due to the continuing fermentation of the leaves once rolled into cigars and will go away as the cigars are ventilated. He believes that for most cigars, “the ammoniac smell will be over 90% gone in a few months, 95% to 99% gone by the end of the first year and practically all gone by the end of the second year.”

nightmaremike31

Hawk55:

Sorry to ask this...ISOMs...? Interesting thread, I just usually attribute the "tar build up" to a tight draw and smoking too quickly...???

I.sland S.ouh O.f M.iami

The Cank

Hawk55:

Sorry to ask this...ISOMs...? Interesting thread, I just usually attribute the "tar build up" to a tight draw and smoking too quickly...???

I just learned this one as well

ISOM = Island South Of Miami aka Cubans

The Cank

damn Mike. You beat me to it ! I thought I was going to get the chance to feel needed for a minute

sightunseen

nightmaremike31:

Min Ron Nee:

CigarCyclopedia PDF

The “sick period” is marked by the unpleasant smell of ammonia when smelling the cigars. Nee notes that this is due to the continuing fermentation of the leaves once rolled into cigars and will go away as the cigars are ventilated. He believes that for most cigars, “the ammoniac smell will be over 90% gone in a few months, 95% to 99% gone by the end of the first year and practically all gone by the end of the second year.”

That's it. Thanks for finding the link. In my case, there were no ammonia smells, but I wonder if this applies to tar build-up as well.

madurofan

sightunseen:

nightmaremike31:

Min Ron Nee:

CigarCyclopedia PDF

The “sick period” is marked by the unpleasant smell of ammonia when smelling the cigars. Nee notes that this is due to the continuing fermentation of the leaves once rolled into cigars and will go away as the cigars are ventilated. He believes that for most cigars, “the ammoniac smell will be over 90% gone in a few months, 95% to 99% gone by the end of the first year and practically all gone by the end of the second year.”

That's it. Thanks for finding the link. In my case, there were no ammonia smells, but I wonder if this applies to tar build-up as well.

I'm very familiar with that ESPECIALLY wiht ISOMs but never heard it called the Sick Perios ... thats cool.

nightmaremike31

The Cank:

damn Mike. You beat me to it ! I thought I was going to get the chance to feel needed for a minute

Sorry bro, you can have the next one, I swear.

nightmaremike31

madurofan:

sightunseen:

nightmaremike31:

Min Ron Nee:

CigarCyclopedia PDF

The “sick period” is marked by the unpleasant smell of ammonia when smelling the cigars. Nee notes that this is due to the continuing fermentation of the leaves once rolled into cigars and will go away as the cigars are ventilated. He believes that for most cigars, “the ammoniac smell will be over 90% gone in a few months, 95% to 99% gone by the end of the first year and practically all gone by the end of the second year.”

That's it. Thanks for finding the link. In my case, there were no ammonia smells, but I wonder if this applies to tar build-up as well.

I'm very familiar with that ESPECIALLY wiht ISOMs but never heard it called the Sick Perios ... thats cool.

I wish I owned Min Ron Nee's book An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Post-Revolution Havana Cigars, but I can't seem to convince myself that $189.99 is a reasonable price for a book when I could spend that much money on cigars...

RaschNuts

so i know this thread is about a year old. But it has been happening to me lately i would say 3-4 of the last 10 i have smoked have had this happen. Usually it starts fairly early. The draw to begin with is usually fine and not tight. It will usually get tight as the tar seeps out since its restricting the air flow.

Is there a way i can avoide this happening there is much of a constant for these cigars except me. Some were from my humidors some i bought. Just trying to get some ideas to maybe avoid this from happening.

bigharpoon

Me too! And I know it's not a tight draw because, as you said, the draw is fine. And it's not too hot on the light as I usually use matches and really try to not light too hot. And I smoke very slowly so the stick doesn't get too hot. And it's not my humi being too moist as its been around 62 all winter. I'm TOTALLY STUMPED!!!!! It's really annoying (tar) and ruins many a good stick. I wonder if it's a construction issue?

Krieg

you could also try blowing back through the cigar...sometimes that will give a little bit more time before it's time to toss...

DSWarmack

sightunseen:

So the cigar in question was a Man O War robusto. By the end of the 1st 1/3 and the beginning of the second 1/3, the tar was seeping at the head. The draw had a little bit of resistance, but it was by no means tight. The wrapper was really oily, so that plays into madurofan's theory.

I agree with the opinion that torpedos need a generous cut so that you don't end up with a tight draw and restricited air flow. I guess related to that, has anyone heard of a D1ck Cut? Apparently it was named after a salesman that worked for Atladis, who would cut torpedos at a 45 degree angle. His theory was that it provided a wider surface area which in turn improved the flavor.

I believe Joe Dickman, the man the cut was named after, cut pajeros that way. Ive never seena D1ck cut on a torpedo. I myself use a V-cut on torpedos, I tried it once and absolutly love it!

dennisking

If I get tar buildup, I squeeze the end of the stick to purge out the tar. After it's out, i just wipe it off. Some sticks have more tar than others. I've never seen any rhyme or reason to it.