Black Gunk/tar/oil in head of cigar?

[mt1]

I've come across a few cigars that have done this now, including small panetelas and larger cigars alike.

It seems to accumulate at the head, it's gooey, sticky, smells like tar and is pretty gross altogether.  Anyone have any clue what this stuff is?  Didn't seem to affect the flavor (unless it touched my lips).

[cfc1016]

It’s natural. Try a guillotine. It’s just bottlenecking because of the punch cut. Purge from time to time too. 

[nKostyan]

it is usual for narrow cigars and cigars with narrowing of the head (e.g., Piramides). But it is convenient for strong cigars that form a lot of resins on the cut - in the process of Smoking the head is cut and cut again, which refreshes the taste and facilitates puffs

[Fugu]

30 minutes ago, nKostyan said:

it is usual for narrow cigars and cigars with narrowing of the head (e.g., Piramides)

Not at all usual - formation of condensate is a sign of either of the following (descending order of importance):

- too narrow a cutting or punching, often coming along with
- quick smoking / hasty drawing technique
- high tobacco moisture
- bad cigar / poor tobacco processing
- overfilled stick / overly tight draw (but can be compensated for to some xtent)

Can't remember when seen the last time.

[Pag]

Tar from Tobacco I thought.

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[Connoisseur Kim]

It is actually tar bubble mate. As others mentioned above, it can be caused by cutting problem, unstable humidity, real dud cigar, too much of puffing, etc. It is unlikely to be seen in normal situation though.

 

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[Derboesekoenig]

Haven't had that happen to me yet. But then again, I rarely use a punch. Maybe 5% or less of the time. I've just always preferred the guillotine.

[DBNInc]

I’ve had it happen a couple of times, with Cubans and Non-Cubans alike.  I just clip a little more with a guillotine and keep going.  I find that a lot of cigars I really enjoy do this, so for me it’s just an oily cigar, not a sign of a dud.

[BBS]

Only had that happen with any regularity when I was smoking Fuente Anejo's.  Solved that problem quite easily....?

Yes to all of the above; too small an opening, drawing too quickly, and sometimes just an oily batch of tobacco.  I've had Anejo's that were a decade aged, proper humidity, and they'd tar right up.  I was usually successful in using a clean, sharp cutter and removing a tiny slice of the end of the cigar....usually removed the tar and the obstruction as well.

 

[Lomey]

I've only had it happen when using a punch. I only use one now if I don't have my cutter available.

[houdini]

Ive only had that happen to opus x power rangers many years ago....when they were really good. 

[SCgarman]

Never had this happen in 30 years of cigars. But I only use a double edge guillotine cutter. 

[Phillys]

I punch most of my cigars and it can happen if using a small punch on a larger gauge cigar. 

[mt1]

Thanks for all the replies guys.  So far it's only happened with the Siglo V pictured above and a panetela.

[KING BROWN]

I guess a more optimal cut that reduces the likelihood of tar buildup around the end of the stick, allows incremental passage of the icky compounds into the mouth / throat.

 

Hmmmm ......

 

Is this part of the 'flavour experience' ?