Why does this happen?

[Phantom57-cl]

Almost always a humidity problem. In the humidor, I associate delamination with dry condition, and splitting with over humid condition. Once you take them out, either can happen, according to the environment in which they have been stored, and the environment into which they have been moved. Taking a cigar out in winter weather is a killer for them. I wouldn't do it with anything but low end stuff.

[Nick@TheManor]

It happens to everyone at some point. Personally, if a cigar wants to fight, I just put it down and relight another one...It's takes away from the relaxation and enjoyment if you have to keep fighting it.

[Chubno]

Thanks Guys
You've given me some things to look at and I guess it's time to check out a digital. So, I'm off to move the baby's around in their bed.

[doblemaduro]

This also happens to me when my sticks are too dry.

[JCPuros]

Sorry, two cents from a newbie

As far as I know, the split or burst happens when the outside layers of the stick are drier than the inside. It is usaully a low humidity issue in the humidor. The filler hasn't completely dried out and when it is lit the heat causes a minor expansion and the dried leaf around it can't handle the changes and splits/burst. Much like the roads up here is Michigan, LOL. Most splits are monir and can be smoked through but some very discerning smokers won't smoke them once they are split because of the 'dry leaf' issue.


As a fellow Michigander, keeping a decent RH in the "don't like the weather wait 5 minutes" ups and downs is hell. It is doable though. To read that it is only so often tells me that you are on top of your stock. If not, I would hazard a guess that it would be a more regular occurance.

Since you are on top of the RH, things to look at are...When did you get the stick and was it a single stick you just got? (give it time to rest in your Humidor) Was it one of a bundle (there is always atleast one bad egg in the lot). I find that even my favorite shops has the same problems we have with the Michigan weather and it is further compromised by the constant open/close of the doors. Man, what a headache.

Hope this helps

JCPuros

[NullSmurf-cl]

Try wetting the outside of the cigar just prior to lighting. I'm telling you - for us in the deep freeze, it works.

[JCPuros]

LOL, sorry, Nullsmurf. I hope I didn't sound like I was disagreeing with you. In fact, I'll will give you idea a try.

[12stones-cl]

The splitting wrapper can be for a number of the reasons listed above. The cigar is dry is usually the number 1. The weather definitely affects it. Here in Houston it happens because in the summer you'll suck more humidity in when smoking outside than when you had it in your humidor. That causes it to expand and the wrapper cracks. If you keep your humidor at above 65% humidity and smoke too fast, the heat will expand the moist tobacco and crack your wrapper.

Luckily I don't have to deal with smoking in extreme cold weather so I'm not sure if the "tap" trick is good or not, but I'm curious to try it someday as it truly does seem to "go against the grain." But, hey... gotta learn something new at least once a day, right?

[NullSmurf-cl]

Originally Posted by 12stones

The splitting wrapper can be for a number of the reasons listed above. The cigar is dry is usually the number 1. The weather definitely affects it. Here in Houston it happens because in the summer you'll suck more humidity in when smoking outside than when you had it in your humidor. That causes it to expand and the wrapper cracks. If you keep your humidor at above 65% humidity and smoke too fast, the heat will expand the moist tobacco and crack your wrapper.

Luckily I don't have to deal with smoking in extreme cold weather so I'm not sure if the "tap" trick is good or not, but I'm curious to try it someday as it truly does seem to "go against the grain." But, hey... gotta learn something new at least once a day, right?

I was raised in Beaumont, college at Lamar, so I know what Houston winters are like. I've been in Denver for 22 years now, so I'm used to 10-20% winter humidity. It'll suck the life's blood out of a cigar in minutes. I learned the trick from another Brother about two years ago. Before that, I stuck to maduro wrappers, but even those can split.

[iloveclmore]

Originally Posted by karmaz00

sound like there dry, maybe get a digital RH reader. because thoses anolog readers are usually off

I had a digital that was way farther off than the analog I have.

[jam]

I find that the best one is at atlantic cigars its a small round one and its adjustible mine is exact to my oasis . i recently bought one that wasnt adjustible and its 7% off so i sent that back asap

[happy1]

Originally Posted by Webmeister

Squid would be correct - cubans are definitely better at a lower RH (I keep mine around 62%). I've also found that many of the darker wrappers need to be dry-boxed before I smoke them or the burn is very irregular, and they just don't smoke as well.

Absoluetly correct

[Sea Jay]

Originally Posted by Webmeister

I've seen this happen when the sticks are dried out. If you're depending on an analog hygrometer to monitor RH, you should probably double-check it with a digital. I found out the hard way when my analog read 75%, and the RH was actually 56%. Not a good environment for precious stogies.

Agreed. A digital is a must. Proper humidification is essential.