Old box of gars - how to bring back to life...
A friend of mine approached me yesterday and says the he has an old box of ISOM'S (yet to be truly verified) and that he would give them to me. They are in the original package and box never opened. I have no idea what kind they are or how old.
My question starts with what would be the first steps to try and recover these if even possible. Throw package and all in the humi? Leave package intact or open?
I will post more info if and when I actually see these things. For now my curiosity is peaked.
Comments
That being said, if it's only been a few weeks or a few months, try putting it in a seasoned humi without the humidifier. After a week or two, put the humidifier in and let it acclimate for another two to three weeks. Try one. If still too dry, leave it in for another 3 weeks.
I had about 20 cigars from my original cigar days that for several years sat it a humidor mostly neglected. Once in a very blue moon I might have added some distilled water to the humidifier. Main point is these cigars had gone very dry. Last fall I started to try to revive them. For the most part it was a success. A couple were beyond saving with busted up wrappers but the others all held together. Yes some were so dry they burned very fast and hot but I was still able to get some pleasure out of them and enjoyed the flavors. Others I was so glad I saved them and found a couple very enjoyable and really enjoyed the flavors they offered. At the same time, many of them were off the discount shelf at a B&M but a couple were RyJ’s and other mid-priced smokes
My approach was a large zip lock freezer bag. Inside I put the cigars a hygrometer and originally a paper towel moistened with distilled water (at the time I did not have any extra humidifiers) but quickly switched it out with a very low RH Bovida pack. Then one of the Xikar humidity sticks. Kept an eye on them for a couple months and then into a regular humidor for another couple months.
In your case I would open the box to check the condition and make sure your beetle free and not dealing with a box of dust. Attempt to revive them and after some time has passed smoke one to see if you like them. Or don’t worry about any of it and I’ll send you my address in a PM :-)
Personally to say something like if the oils are gone you will get zero enjoyment from them is a load of crap. Just as their are tons of different cigars out there same goes for pallets and personal tastes. One person may not enjoy the lack of oils but another might. Dont let anyone tell you that you like or don't like it until you make your own choice.
So does that make me a gentleman? I always wanted to be one of those things, but I ain't refined enough. LOL!
The one thing that a person should remember is that tastes are relative.
Some folks smoke cigars for the enjoyment of the cigar, no matter the taste.
Some folks love cigars, but don't have very good taste buds, so any cigar is a good one.
Some folks have refined tastes and would never stoop so low as to try a cigar that has dried out or hasn't been properly cared for.
Personally, the machine made crack was a little uncalled for.
Remember that this forum is a diverse group of folks with a very wide range of what they look for in a cigar and that some guys won't toss a cigar for any reason. Faulting them for that is not being a gentleman.
If you've ever read some discussions that Mark Twain had on the cigar subject, you would find that he was one of those guys that smoked cigars for the enjoyment of cigars. He loved some of the harshest cigars he could find. It was also said he liked a lot of spices, salts and sugars on his foods, which could indicate that his taste buds were lacking. So it would seem that an icon of cigar smokers would be guilty of blasphemy.
Something to consider.
As for bringing them back, I would agree that it would be up to the individual to determine if it is worth the effort to see how they will smoke.
That being said, I'd have to say I'd give it a go. Nothing ventured, nothing gained and if they suck, it cost you nothing but a little time.
I think ZeroPatience did a better job explaining what I was trying to say, in that every ones tastes are different. I was only trying to say that just cause one person or several people in this case, does not like a cigar does not mean everyone would dislike the same cigar in whatever condition it was in. It’s up to each person to decide what they like and make their own choice without being told what they like or won’t like
The below look familiar?
Looks like we were saying the same thing to me…
Cigary, Instead of personally calling you out by name to attack on a public forum, me acting like a 3rd grader, my huge ego has sent you a personal message.
I think the above sentence is where it went south...we all have our opinions and I expressed mine and have no issue with others opinions until they start out like yours. Telling another member that what they say is a load of crap is not being a gentleman..period. If you think that's ok to tell another member then by all means continue and deal with the consequences of that kind of behavior. All you had to say is that you disagree with what was expressed.