Reminder on Beetles and Customs

[El Presidente]

I had a distraught e-mail from a member earlier this week who found a beetle infestation in his Ramon Allones Specially Select. The box was from 2012 and purchased in Cuba.

The box was placed at the back of his cabinet humidor for aging. It was one of 20 boxes of cigars and customs in the humidor. 4 of his Custom sticks were also decimated with others affected. They were closest to the RASS.

For all of us who love Custom cigars, a timely warning. They are not frozen in the HSA freezing facility (this has been occurring with HSA boxes since 2005). The risk of beetle larvae in Custom cigars is much the same as the pre freezing period of HSA. It is not a rare occurrence.

If you are bringing back custom cigars from Cuba, give serious consideration to freezing them before introducing them to your humidor.

I know I have raised it before but sometimes I think we forget. I have come across the issue of beetles and Custom cigars too often over the years.

[Stanislaw]

Thanks for mentioning this rob... I actually had been gifted a custom a few months ago but when it arrived it came with a little visitor... I immediately let the gifter know to check his sticks and freeze his cigars which took some coaxing because he didn't want to hamper quality by freezing...

To those afraid of ruining their stock by freezing, take it from me, if done correctly there is no real loss in flavor or aging potential...

[...]

Good piece of wisdom Pres. When in doubt, the good ole' freezer is there for peace of mind!

[polarbear]

Good advice, Prez

I had a few bundles come in and ended up putting them in a seperate tupperware container for a couple of months before putting them in the humi

I wasnt concerned about beetles (mainly cause I didnt think about them) it was more a space issue

[DoubleDD]

I always freeze my customs. I'm not willing to take any chances at all. I also spot check the humidor several times a week.

[andysc83]

Thanks for the advice! I'm getting some Johnny-Os in the mail soon so I will be freezing them for sure.

[targa88]

How long should they be frozen?

[Diamondog]

How long should they be frozen?

I typically put them in the freezer for 72 hours...have never had a problem

[DoubleDD]

How long should they be frozen?

It depends on your freezer and how low it can go. I usually go 5-7 days at 1* f which is more than enough time at that temp.

[ajgagnon]

Reminds me to dig up some boxes and check/rotate. Especially in this heat wave in western Canada.

Now that my humidor is effectively in the crawl space, it stays cooler (that's where I keep my wine too). On the main floor, it was a breeding ground as the indoor temp soared into the high 20s and much higher when the sun shone on it. Some farmies were suspect. I've had a few beetles over the years. Luckily not many. I think I still only freeze about half of what I buy. Maybe I should rethink.

[airtrade]

Wow this reminds me I need to freeze some new boxes. Good insurance!

[CUBANO]

Freezing is the way to go with all cigars to be safe. About 18 mths ago had beetles on a RA Superiores

[nishdog007]

never thought of this! Great suggestion..thanks...

[LordAnubis]

WHat about if you bought cigars from the early 90's? Would they be too delicate to handle being frozen now? or would the fact they haven't broken out in beetles now indicated they don't have any anyway?

[Fuzz]

Yep, gotta watch out for those beetles...

[Maplepie]

Damn British invasion.

Canada would be beatle-free if it wasn't for those gits

Sent by the Enigma on BlackBerry.

[Laynard]

Thanks for the advice! I'm getting some Johnny-Os in the mail soon so I will be freezing them for sure.

I just got some Johnnys and I asked if he froze. He told me he freezes his stock, but by all means freeze again if you want.

Edit to add quote:

Here is his answer when I asked if I should freeze: "...these have been frozen, but if you feel like freezing the again there is no harm in that. The leaf is factory leaf and it has been cured/aged/processed by factory standards."

But this is only Johnny, this does not apply to all customs.

[stigmata]

does that mean we should freeze our cigars before summer sets in? or just our customs?

ive never done that...

[Smallclub]

Yep, gotta watch out for those beetles...

This illustration is nice but completely inaccurate: the larvae eat tobacco and punch holes. The adults (as pictured) fly away - if they're not stuck inside a box or humidor…

[Duxnutz]

Tough crowd!

[anacostiakat]

I keep all my customs in a seperate humi.

[...]

Tough crowd!

Haters' gonna hate

[Pedro2486]

This illustration is nice but completely inaccurate: the larvae eat tobacco and punch holes. The adults (as pictured) fly away - if they're not stuck inside a box or humidor…

Dude, Seriously?

BRB checking all cartoons and comics for factual inaccuracies

[leftimatic]

Reminds me to dig up some boxes and check/rotate. Especially in this heat wave in western Canada.

Now that my humidor is effectively in the crawl space, it stays cooler (that's where I keep my wine too). On the main floor, it was a breeding ground as the indoor temp soared into the high 20s and much higher when the sun shone on it. Some farmies were suspect. I've had a few beetles over the years. Luckily not many. I think I still only freeze about half of what I buy. Maybe I should rethink.

Speaking of heat waves in Western Canada been having a hell of a time with heat and humidity control this summer. Finally got it down to 21ish with 68% and going through picking out a smoke and noticed a hole in one. Double checked all the rest and nothing. Put them all in the freezer anyway. Thank god I don't have a big collection... yet. That was with it in my basement too.

[earthson]

Dude, Seriously?

BRB checking all cartoons and comics for factual inaccuracies

We. Must. Maintain. Accuracy. At. All. Times. Whimsy. Is. Verboten. (In my best K-9 voice a la Dr Who)