Rehydration of old cigars?

[hardrock86]

So its been a few years since I have been on this site, posting at least. Tonight I came home to 2 packages from our graceful host that was certainly unexpected as I havent ordered cigars in years. After looking at old emails I see I got a package that shipped out in 2011. My question is they look, feel, and smell absolutely fantastic still. Is there anything I should do to these cigars before I open them to get them rehydrated? Or just smoke one and take a chance?

Back in 2011 I gave a friend 2 Bolivar Belicos Finos and I wrapped them for him in a ziplock bag and scotch tape. He never smoked them, and found them 2 months ago..I smoked one and it was fantastic. Hoping I can do the same with these.

[noreaster]

Wow the exact same scenario happened to me today as well....wonder if USPS has been cleaning out some old warehouses...not sure why my original post was deleted..

[Guest Nekhyludov]

9 minutes ago, noreaster said:

...not sure why my original post was deleted.

I'm just guessing, but posts with pictures of shipping packages and labels shouldn't be expected to last long. 

[hardrock86]

No pictures here just wondering the best course of action to take to get these bad boys smoking again. They look as fresh as if you went into a store to buy them.

[Philc2001]

I would let them acclimate for 4-6 weeks in your humidor, and then smoke them.

Ahh, on second thought, they're probably ruined so just pack em up and ship them to me to dispose of them.

[hardrock86]

Smoking one now.. definitely a little harsh but tons of pepper flavor, and smoking well. I think these will be dynamite in a few months.

[dominattorney]

"Can't be done at all, unless you can do it." Every foh member. 

[Lotusguy]

[LordAnubis]

Try putting as many as can fit into a small container, along with a decent hygrometer. After a few days you can find out what the rH is of the cigars as it will equalise. From there put all the cigars into a controlled environment starting at where the cigars are, then increase 2% rH every month till they are at your desired rH.

Would be a starting point, if I was in the same situation.


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[Squarehead]

7 hours ago, LordAnubis said:

Try putting as many as can fit into a small container, along with a decent hygrometer. After a few days you can find out what the rH is of the cigars as it will equalise. From there put all the cigars into a controlled environment starting at where the cigars are, then increase 2% rH every month till they are at your desired rH.

Would be a starting point, if I was in the same situation.


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Now you're telling me.Just a few month ago I threw a bunch of cigars out which belonged to my son and didn't take care of them.Those sticks looked like firelogs

[SCgarman]

So, you just received an order that was placed 6 years ago? 

[El Presidente]

6 minutes ago, NYgarman said:

So, you just received an order that was placed 6 years ago? 

It appears to happen every 4-5 years. Those that went missing in shipping "mysteriously appear". 

If you have any intention of getting the best out of them, put them away for 6 months or so. 

[Wertman]

Talk about an amazing aging technique 

[Lotusguy]

Not sure what happened to my earlier reply - doesn't show in Tapatalk.

I was just joking that I'm frantically searching my order log from 2011 to see if there are any goodies inbound

This aging technique is similar to the Jefferson's "ocean" series bourbon which is aged in small barrels on a ship

[Sean3]

Now that's one way to keep you from raiding a box!  I would also agree with Rob...put 'em away for a while at your preferred rH, could yield some excellent dividends.  Cheers.

[hardrock86]

Thanks guys....I have the rest being put away for a long time...if I waited 6 years whats a few more months? Havent had a cigar in a long time prior to these so it was a pleasant surprise. And yes NYgarman..6 years from shipping, and both boxes from the same order I placed arrived the same day.

[prodigy]

I've seen this happen before when boxes fall!off the automated sorting machines. They find them!when the machines breakdown and need to be replaced. So crazy that they actually arrive so many years later!

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[CrankYanker]

6 hours ago, Wertman said:

Talk about an amazing aging technique 

I'll tell the post office in our village to hold my next order of PLPCs for 5 years. 

[El Presidente]

4 hours ago, CrankYanker said:

I'll tell the post office in our village to hold my next order of PLPCs for 5 years. 

solves the storage space issues 

[ElPuro]

This kind of issue must be terribly frustrating from a vendor's perspective.

[BarryNY]

11 hours ago, El Presidente said:

solves the storage space issues 

Unless he makes a claim they were never delivered.............hmmmm..................what's El Pres to do?

 

[FatPete]

Nice surprise!

Out of curiosity, can I ask what the cigars were?

pete

[hardrock86]

Sure, it was a cab of Bolivar PC’s

[Wilzc]

Since I've got no patience in aging my cigars, would it be plausible if I get my next order from 24:24 paid for, but kept on hold for 5 years before you ship them over?

[HarveyBoulevard]

1 hour ago, Wilzc said:

Since I've got no patience in aging my cigars, would it be plausible if I get my next order from 24:24 paid for, but kept on hold for 5 years before you ship them over?

Yes, yes you can.  Check out the Locker/OLH.  But be warned...its a deep rabbit hole.