Hot cigar?

[Bigd417]

I recently have switched vehicles I drive to work, to my old Ford Ranger. One of the incentives was, what the heck, it's 10 years old and has almost 200,000 miles on it. What would it hurt for some cigar odor in the interior? And since the drive time home is at least an hour, I can make it a little less painful by lighting up a smoke.

Well it has already gotten into the 90's during the day here in Houston, and I have been leaving the stick in the truck, in a baggie, with the window cracked to keep some air circulating. Well by the time I have been in the office for 9-10 hours, it gets close to 100 degrees in the truck. Now my question is should this be effecting the taste of the cigar? Now I have taken gars to the golf course and haven't noticed any change. But those are only out of the humi 3-4 hours before they get torched.

Since this has been an experiment (and I have to pay some attention to the freeway)I have been smoking solid if not outstanding sticks. A 5 Vegas classic, ITC 10th Anniversary, and a Fuente. All seem to have the same flavor profile, but they seem to be harsher then what I normally experience. I do drive with the AC on and passenger window open so there is some air movement, but they don't seem to have any burn problems or burning any faster then normal.

Can 10 hours in the heat effect the smoothness of a smoke?

[DSturg369]

Originally Posted by Bigd417

Can 10 hours in the heat effect the smoothness of a smoke?

Ummmm.....YES!!!!!

Cigars - sealed in a baggie - in that kind of heat - will release a large amount of whatever level of humidity they contain into the air-space inside of the baggie. I'd guess there was some condensation on the inside of the baggie, if not they were probably pretty dry to begin with. This humidity release will dry the filler or center of the cigar and probably dampen the binder and wrapper or outer layers of the cigar, as the escaping humidity builds up. This condition would make for a bitter or downright foul tasting smoke. I'm surprised that you haven't had a cigar bulge at the lit end or have one split altogether with the outer layer humidity overdose, if it hasn't in fact happened. Possible other concerns would be mold from the dampened outer layers and also the possibility of beetles.

If you HAVE to leave them in your truck while at work, consider getting a small personal cooler to keep them in. Along with them in the cooler, place a gel ice-pack wrapped in a small towel (to collect condensation).

[Bigd417]

Actually there was a small crack in the IT towards the end of the smoke. I haven't noticed any condensation on the baggie, and I use 70% beads in the humi they were stored in before I left in the morning. But given how long they sit out there that may also be disapating.

I guess I'll have to take them into the office with me, only thing is that knowing me, I'll leave it in my desk drawer when I leave and miss out all together.

[Patrick B]

Yep, just take em in with you. I have a cigar at lunch every day and follow this practice.

[karmaz00]

yeah take them with you

[zackly]

Originally Posted by Bigd417

Actually there was a small crack in the IT towards the end of the smoke. I haven't noticed any condensation on the baggie, and I use 70% beads in the humi they were stored in before I left in the morning. But given how long they sit out there that may also be disapating.

I guess I'll have to take them into the office with me, only thing is that knowing me, I'll leave it in my desk drawer when I leave and miss out all together.

Keep your car keys in the office with your smokes. I have a humidor im my office so I keep my keys on top of that.

[Phantom57]

Take them in with you, they are drying out.

[tx_tuff]

Yeah I would take them in with me also, thats to hot for to long.

Also a some advise. When you smoke it your truck (after you get it cooled down of course) crack only the drivers window, about an inch or less, then turn the AC to your floor vents. Don't ask me how this works but it gets most if not all of the smoke going out the window. If you have more then one window down you are just blowing the smoke around. I smoke about 4 or 5 sticks a week in my truck.

[mc2712]

Yup, take em with you. It is too hot down here to leave any cigars in our vehicles.

[e-man]

What you need is a vinotemp for your car!

Get a cooler that uses the same type of thermoelectric cooling unit as found in the vintotemp. Plug it in to the cigarette lighter. Rig up some type of thermostat. Add beads.

Presto!

[themoneycollector]

If you're looking for something small to hold a few smokes while you are at work, look into getting a 2 or 5ct. cigar caddy. You could keep a couple of smokes in there and take it with you to work. I have a 2ct. and a 15ct and they are both great. I would like to pick up a larger one for longer trips.