Can they be saved?

[bilder]

Got a new guy at work and it turns out that he and his wife are the executors of the estate of a guy I knew from ham radio. Turns out he was also a cigar smoker.

They have over a dozen brand new boxes, still sealed in the plastic, that the fellow left behind. I can probably get them for cheap, but they have been stored in a closet for over 18 months.

Would these be worth attempting to save? Or has it been too long in a 30% humidity enviornment?

 

[bfreebern]

Depending on the price, might be worth it.

 

[mmburtch]

Tough call Mike. Have the guy bring in one of the boxes. Break the seal and see what you have. The plastic and cedar may have kept them safe, but the only way to really know is to roll one between your fingers. If they look feel and smell saveable, give it a shot for the right price. If they're too crunchy, pass on them.

If you are going to buy them, I would check each box before buying.

Good luck.

 

[AngryFishH]

Mental Note: Stay away from to-be posted thread about bilders "crunchy" box splits.

I have had some success bringing older unhumidifed cigars back to life. I found that as long as the wrappers were uncracked AND there were no visable signes of damage you could bring them back slowly in a good humidor. Handling was key, the one I used as the "guinea pig" for squeezing never made it. But, the ones I just set down gently and forgot about came back quite nicely. They were never as good as they could have been but were definately smokable.

 

[Diesel Grinch]

So did you check them out?


DG

 

[bilder]

Macanoodle dust bunnies!

Opened three boxes, they have been treated far worse than I was led to believe. Looks like they were dehydrated and then used as soccer balls. Half were broken the others crumbled when given a squeeze.

Even at $10 a box, I think I will pass!

 

[JHolmes763]

You could have put 'em in your pipe!!

 

[vortex]

They will be compromised - the question is how much. Was it always 30% or was it 90% during the summer. Temp is also a factor. Each box should be evaluated case by case. Varnished boxes with good seals hold humidity very well. Also, certain types of tobacco survive better than others.

They MAY be worthless so I wouldn't buy them sight unseen.