The worst thing about putting some age on a cigar...

Heavy

...and really building up some anticipation as to how great it's going to be -- getting a plugged stick!! arggh!

I have 4 Padilla Habanos with a little over a year on them. I've never even smoked one before and was really looking forward to this because I always hear good things so I figured a little age on it would make it even better. It's a torp, so I started with a v-cut - terrible draw. So I went with a straight cut - no better. Kept cutting lower and lower. Tried poking it with a straightened out paper clip. Cut again - got way past the cap. Still couldn't get a good draw.

Gonna toss it and go back to the humi for something else. But I don't have much time now, so I'm going to probably grab a corona or petit corona. So my wise BOTLs, here are my choices. What will salvage my smoking evening? It is in your hands: 5 vegas Miami, 5 Vegas Gold, RP 1990, or a DPG Blue. (I know that selection is all over the place, but I'm going by size now and can't decide)

fla-gypsy

DPG is guaranteed to please

gdsim1

Bro, do a search of the threads for "cigar poker" and see if you can pick up any decent tips there.

SaVas

You had four of them. One was plugged, grab another! It is but the trials of smoking something hand-rolled, that even the best rollers might inadvertently screw up. We are but human!

Besides, the more aged cigars we collect the less room we have, so smoke them and enjoy! At least thats what I like to do...granted my largest humidor was put aside for special occasion sticks, and now its full, and my secondary go-to humidor is getting full of special occasion cigars, so I guess I should reap what I sow.

Heavy

I tried poking it with the paper clip several times to no avail. And I understand this happens sometimes - just wish it didn't happen tonight! ;-) That's the risk/reward for such awesome handmade products i guess. No worries - the others will be there waiting for their time. I unfortunately only have time for a shorter stick now.
Gypsy, I'm going with the DPG. All of my important life decisions will now be in your hands!

gdsim1

Heavy:

I tried poking it with the paper clip several times to no avail. And I understand this happens sometimes - just wish it didn't happen tonight! ;-) That's the risk/reward for such awesome handmade products i guess. No worries - the others will be there waiting for their time. I unfortunately only have time for a shorter stick now.
Gypsy, I'm going with the DPG. All of my important life decisions will now be in your hands!

No pressure Al - LOL

bigharpoon

Oh man, I feel your pain. I have an Oliva V that I cut a couple days ago and was all ready to smoke when I noticed the same tight roll/no draw. I didn't light it but re-cut it. Then put it back in the humi. Then I dry boxed it. Then re-cut it. It feels like a stone at the end, like they put too many leaves into the torpedo head. So disappointing. I hope your DPG was good.

MrGreenMachine

When I get a plug/tight draw, I roll the stick in my fingers for a minute or so. Grasp it up near the cap between thumb and pointer, genty squeeze, and roll. Loosens up most sticks.

ironhorse

Heavy:

I tried poking it with the paper clip several times to no avail. And I understand this happens sometimes - just wish it didn't happen tonight! ;-) That's the risk/reward for such awesome handmade products i guess. No worries - the others will be there waiting for their time. I unfortunately only have time for a shorter stick now.
Gypsy, I'm going with the DPG. All of my important life decisions will now be in your hands!

I think paper clips are too flimsy and thin for loosening up those really tough ones. I would go with a bamboo skewer or an actual cigar poker or something of that style. You need something firm enough to break and punch past through the plug.

Krieg

Oh man, I feel your pain. Having a plug in a cigar that I have aged for over a year would highly disappointment me, actually to be honest, it would piss me the Hell off. Anyways...I hope you picked a good do-over stick.

phobicsquirrel

I've had more plugged cigars that are torps than any other. I like torps but man... I haven't had many though maybe 3 or so cigars that were plugged. 2 of them were torps.

gdsim1

Here's an idea - try getting in touch with Padilla and tell them what happened. Perhaps they will hook you up with some goodies to make it up to you. I dont remember anyone on here saying anything one way or another about Padilla's customer service, but its worth a shot....

gmill880

Plugged=Sucks