Tight Draw

[UncleFesterESQ]

Ok... The only real killer for any cigar I smoke is a TIGHT draw. I have tried poking the end I cut with my trusty corn cob piercer, but have NEVER had any success relieving the issue. Thus, some "would be" nice smokes have ended up going by the wayside. It's just not enjoyable working that hard. Soooo... any suggestions or tool ideas from the guys and gals here? Should I have tried poking on the lit end? I'm stumped.

Please help me not prematurely end the life of any more potentially great smokes!

Thank you in advance for any and all responses.

[HabanoMan]

I took a piece of a metal coat hanger about 8 inches long and made a poker out of it. I made a loop on one end that my finger fits in nicely. The other end I sharpened to a beveled point (think hypodermic needle). I then took a small file and made small "notches" about 1/2 to 3/4 inches apart down the length. Just make sure they are not too deep. I have saved quite a few cigars with this poker. Just push it into the cigar carefully, making sure to keep it straight so you don't puncture the wrapper. Push it through the cigar until you feel it "break through" the plug. Then slowly pull it back out. The grooves will help "rip" open the plug by lightly shredding it.

There are also many cigar pokers on the market. A quick google search should help with that.

[Lostmason]

If you can find one , an ice pick works quite well.I myself have relieved a plug by gently squeezing and rolling the cigar along the body to "massage" the plug loose.

[Tobias Lutz]

Not to wander off in another direction, but I noticed a significant decline in "plugged" cigars when I reduced my storage Rh from 69 to 60. I'm not saying this is the case for you, just throwing it out there.

[RogueBallBoy]

After going to 65 bovedas tight draws are few and far between. When I do stumble upon them I have a near zero tolerance policy; if I can't massage my way through it in an inch I lay it down and grab another. I tried pokers, screws, etc and never had any luck.

[Indyhp]

I'm with you, a tight draw is a deal-killer. I've reduced the RH in my humidor to 65 and that helped alot, and I can usually squeeze the unlit end gently to open up small passages in the tobacco sufficient to make it smokeable. Its been awhile since I had to throw one away.

[bluenoser]

Any I've had have mostly been able to be cured by lightly rolling in in my finger from foot to head, sometimes the tight draw comes back and I'll give it another roll. Doesn't always work but sometimes gets me through a stick I really want to enjoy...

[Billb1960]

I use 65 Boveda packs and have very few cigars that are unsmokable due to tight draw. In fact I can only remember 1 in the past 6 months, a Tramp Stamp.

[Lynn]

I took a piece of a metal coat hanger about 8 inches long and made a poker out of it. I made a loop on one end that my finger fits in nicely. The other end I sharpened to a beveled point (think hypodermic needle). I then took a small file and made small "notches" about 1/2 to 3/4 inches apart down the length. Just make sure they are not too deep. I have saved quite a few cigars with this poker. Just push it into the cigar carefully, making sure to keep it straight so you don't puncture the wrapper. Push it through the cigar until you feel it "break through" the plug. Then slowly pull it back out. The grooves will help "rip" open the plug by lightly shredding it.

There are also many cigar pokers on the market. A quick google search should help with that.

I have a piece of stainless wire that I use same as @HabanoMan , I quit plugin and cuttin years ago I use a paper clip to poke three or four holes in the cap...

[fiddlegrin]

Donnie said it all except;

Just another reason to do a "pre-light" draw test...


Best wishes, Dafiddla