How reliable is the freeze at the cigar factories in Cuba- Beetle tension

[aliz388]

Hello everyone!

I've had a few sleepless nights stressing about my cigars (siglo VI's) that i left at my other home in the middle east where its incredibly hot ie 35C (95F) the 25 wooden SLB is in a zip-lock bag with a 69% boveda bag and they are in a desk drawer. but I'm sure it gets pretty hot in there. I bought them to bring back with me but due to having to rush to the airport last minute forgot about them. They have been sitting there for a month. Do u think they are already beetle food or can i have hope in the freezing that happens in cuba. I wont see them again for another month or so till i go back there for work.

I shelled out some serious dough for the box and am literally having guilt pangs. Have any of you guys left cigars in a similarly hostile hot climate, what was ur experience. How much can i bank on the Freeze in Cuba. If it helps its a BTO 12 most likely from El Laguito.

Any feed back would be much appreciated and might help me sleep a little better!

Have a good day!

Cheers

[JohnS]

I'm willing to bet that the cigars will be okay. When you go back you will probably find that the cigars will not be dried out as the boveda pack, even if it maintaining 69 rh at that higher temperature, will last a minimum of two months.

Post back your findings. If you have no evidence of beetles (which again I think is unlikely) then stabilise the cigars in a stable environment for something closer to 3 months rather than 30 days before you sample a stick.

[Fuzz]

Depends on how the cigars were stored in-between the freeze and where you bought them. Nothing stops a beetle hopping on and laying some eggs if the conditions weren't ideal.

[aliz388]

Got them at the LCDH at Dubai airport

[DWC]

I can't forecast the outcome of your cigars but I know worrying about them won't help in the least. If there is absolutely nothing you can do about the situation, let it go. You'll sleep better.

If they're ok when you get back, smoke 'em and enjoy 'em. If not, live and learn.

There's a neat little prayer that helps me in these kinds of situations:

God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can,

and the Wisdom to know the difference.

-Dan

PS: Good luck on the outcome.

[thecrowder]

I'd be more worried about the possibility of mold than of the beetles

[Quint]

I can't forecast the outcome of your cigars but I know worrying about them won't help in the least. If there is absolutely nothing you can do about the situation, let it go. You'll sleep better.

If they're ok when you get back, smoke 'em and enjoy 'em. If not, live and learn.

There's a neat little prayer that helps me in these kinds of situations:

God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can,

and the Wisdom to know the difference.

-Dan

PS: Good luck on the outcome.

This

[shlomo]

To answer your title question...not very much. Good luck.

[mrsgucia]

I can't forecast the outcome of your cigars but I know worrying about them won't help in the least. If there is absolutely nothing you can do about the situation, let it go. You'll sleep better.

If they're ok when you get back, smoke 'em and enjoy 'em. If not, live and learn.

There's a neat little prayer that helps me in these kinds of situations:

God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can,

and the Wisdom to know the difference.

-Dan

PS: Good luck on the outcome.

A beetle prayer ? Finally! Thank you

[polarbear]

I haven't had a problem with beetles in years

I've only recently (last 5 years or so) started storing my sticks at 65f and before then never had an issue

I've got a pile of customs rolls in a desktop that I didn't freeze when they landed and they've been sitting in 30C+ for the last couple of years without any issues

You'll be fine

[Smallclub]

I haven't had a problem with beetles in years

I haven't had a problem with beetles in 15 years, and I smoke about 400 cigars/year.

[shlomo]

Lucky guys. I have had beetles. As recently as 3 years ago. Im sure I am not the only one...

[Smallclub]

I'd be more worried about the possibility of mold than of the beetles

There's no relation between heat and mold.

[shlomo]

On another note, I have seen HUNDREDS of cigars with beetle holes in Cuba over the past several trips as well...

[Smallclub]

On another note, I have seen HUNDREDS of cigars with beetle holes in Cuba over the past several trips as well...

Which leads to think that the operation at the central warehouse (and not in the factories), where the cigars destined to export are frozen, is actually reliable.

[thecrowder]

There's no relation between heat and mold.

True. However, there is a relationship between heat + humidity and mold. A sealed zip lock bag with a boveda bag at 90 degrees F has the potential to cause moisture in the ziplock. That moisture has the potential to cause mold at 90 degrees.

[shlomo]

Which leads to think that the operation at the central warehouse (and not in the factories), where the cigars destined to export are frozen, is actually reliable.

Absolutely! But I have still seen a couple or three cigars with beetles that were exported. Regionals in fact.

[earthson]

There's no relation between heat and mold.

True. However, there is a relationship between heat + humidity and mold. A sealed zip lock bag with a boveda bag at 90 degrees F has the potential to cause moisture in the ziplock. That moisture has the potential to cause mold at 90 degrees.

There is absolutely a relationship between heat and mold! Mold spores exist almost everywhere in non-arid climates - they constantly fall off your skin, swim through the air, and inhabit many to most cigars. Different molds bloom and breed at different temperatures.

Now, relative humidity is a much more crucial factor in whether the spores will sprout or not.

I have extensive experience in growing both tropical and cool-weather culinary and medicinal fungi and if there is one commonality among all of them, it is that when the perfect temperature and humidity level meet, spores take off like wildfire.

Still, I'd go with the above advice and not worry about it - odds are everything will be fine since your Boveda is maintaining an RH that is well below that which most fungi prefer.

[FHFinster]

I can't forecast the outcome of your cigars but I know worrying about them won't help in the least. If there is absolutely nothing you can do about the situation, let it go. You'll sleep better.

If they're ok when you get back, smoke 'em and enjoy 'em. If not, live and learn.

There's a neat little prayer that helps me in these kinds of situations:

God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can,

and the Wisdom to know the differenc

-Dan

PS: Good luck on the outcome.

Sorry to derail, but I'm so glad I was able to recognize your icon-monicker from The Wild One. Saw it for the first time two nights ago. GREAT GREAT MOVIE

[El Presidente]

Absolutely! But I have still seen a couple or three cigars with beetles that were exported. Regionals in fact.

I come across a a box or two each warehouse trip where there is a beetle hole but I haven't seen a live beetle in a box of Habanos in the warehouse for years.

I suspect they have hatched between being rolled and boxed and the trip to the freezing warehouse in Havana...where they have met their fate.

[El Presidente]

Hello everyone!

I've had a few sleepless nights stressing about my cigars (siglo VI's) that i left at my other home in the middle east where its incredibly hot ie 35C (95F) the 25 wooden SLB is in a zip-lock bag with a 69% boveda bag and they are in a desk drawer. but I'm sure it gets pretty hot in there. I bought them to bring back with me but due to having to rush to the airport last minute forgot about them. They have been sitting there for a month. Do u think they are already beetle food or can i have hope in the freezing that happens in cuba. I wont see them again for another month or so till i go back there for work.

I shelled out some serious dough for the box and am literally having guilt pangs. Have any of you guys left cigars in a similarly hostile hot climate, what was ur experience. How much can i bank on the Freeze in Cuba. If it helps its a BTO 12 most likely from El Laguito.

Any feed back would be much appreciated and might help me sleep a little better!

Have a good day!

Cheers

If they are isolated and no beetles hatched before you left, you are likely to be fine.

If they are mixed with stock brought back from Cuba (custom cigars + LCDH Cuba sourced cigars), you are treading a fine line.

[shlomo]

I come across a a box or two each warehouse trip where there is a beetle hole but I haven't seen a live beetle in a box of Habanos in the warehouse for years.

I suspect they have hatched between being rolled and boxed and the trip to the freezing warehouse in Havana...where they have met their fate.

When I received the cigars, they were fine. Several months later, holes. I did not see the live bugs, but undoubtedly a live beetle ate its way out....

Smoked the ticks that were affected fwiw. Some of he best cigars I have ever smoked.

[aliz388]

Thanks for all the advice will definitely leave an update here when i finally determine the fate of the cigars.

[aliz388]

As promised an update.... I just returned to find my precious cohiba's in perfect condition the boveda pack kept them perfectly and absolutely no signs of any beetle activity! Thanks for all the feed back. My faith in the freeze at the habanos SA export warehouses has been secured. Viva Cuba.....

[Duxnutz]

I've found more mould than beetle holes in my time of buying many cigars sourced from the UAE. Almost a given on the tubos.

I was wondering to myself just today if there is an more attention to detail paid to freezing the stock sent to the Middle East; either by distributor or just the stock standard HSA freeze being good enough.

I generally don't freeze the vintage/aged stuff I get from there, but do freeze the singles.

I've dug through heaps of boxes there and never found a beetle or cigar with a hole though in 5 yrs of looking every month or so. Cigar shops in LA though..... Different answer!