Is mold salvageable?

[Russell]

In your opinion are these salvageable? And if so what would you do? These are at 5 years

It’s a first for me. As most, I’ve heard mixed things about the age ol’ “plume vs mold” debate. These to me are indicative of mold, but I’ve read conflicting things on whether to toss or salvage.

[BoliDan]

Yup wipe it off the wrapper. The wrapper and binder keep it out of the filler. If there is any on the foot of the cigar toss em. 

Id also isolate those in a Tupperware because of microscopic spores. Get a Tupperware with a gasket (I'm a fan of the brand lock and lock) toss in a boveda. Good 2 go

[BossHogg]

48 minutes ago, BoliDan said:

Yup wipe it off the wrapper. The wrapper and binder keep it out of the filler. If there is any on the foot of the cigar toss em. 

Id also isolate those in a Tupperware because of microscopic spores. Get a Tupperware with a gasket (I'm a fan of the brand lock and lock) toss in a boveda. Good 2 go

I agree 👍 

[Jfeath74]

Definitely mold, pretty sure it was proved here even “plume” is mold. Even so, I’ve had a few mold outbreaks similar to your first picture where I just wiped clean and they were seemingly fine. Some will say dispose on any sign of mold and others will wipe clean if it’s not to the foot. That said, the one next to the cardboard looks like the mold has traveled all the way down the cigar, I would probably toss that one, wipe the others clean and let them rest for a while to ensure the mold doesn’t return. 

[Russell]

3 hours ago, BoliDan said:

Yup wipe it off the wrapper. The wrapper and binder keep it out of the filler. If there is any on the foot of the cigar toss em. 

Id also isolate those in a Tupperware because of microscopic spores. Get a Tupperware with a gasket (I'm a fan of the brand lock and lock) toss in a boveda. Good 2 go

Thank you 🙏🏼 

 

1 hour ago, Jfeath74 said:

Definitely mold, pretty sure it was proved here even “plume” is mold. Even so, I’ve had a few mold outbreaks similar to your first picture where I just wiped clean and they were seemingly fine. Some will say dispose on any sign of mold and others will wipe clean if it’s not to the foot. That said, the one next to the cardboard looks like the mold has traveled all the way down the cigar, I would probably toss that one, wipe the others clean and let them rest for a while to ensure the mold doesn’t return. 

Thanks for the advice!

[Fuzz]

Is mold salvageable? Yes, but I don't know many people who would want to salvage mold....

[MossybackR]

And wipe down (or discard) the box.

[NSXCIGAR]

Wipe them with a moist paper towel with distilled water and 5% hydrogen peroxide. Good to go. 

[BrightonCorgi]

Those should not be smoked.  You risk respiratory issues.  I can dispose properly for you.  Please pm me for my address.

[MrBirdman]

4 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

Wipe them with a moist paper towel with distilled water and 5% hydrogen peroxide. Good to go. 

Do not actually do this.

[garbandz]

scotch works better...........

[vladdraq]

3 hours ago, garbandz said:

scotch works better...........

Agree. Sometimes rum also does does the job. 🙂 

[TR]

Dress boxes are the worst for these types of outbreaks.  Keep a close eye on any in your humidor.  👍

[MossybackR]

7 hours ago, TR said:

Dress boxes are the worst for these types of outbreaks.  Keep a close eye on any in your humidor.  👍

Good point. Cedar SLBs are a natural deterrent to mold and beetles. Although, I’m sure there are stories to the contrary.

[NSXCIGAR]

19 hours ago, MrBirdman said:

Do not actually do this.

Why? Simply wiping it can leave microscopic amounts of mold to grow again. Hydrogen peroxide kills it and is harmless.

 

7 hours ago, MossybackR said:

Good point. Cedar SLBs are a natural deterrent to mold and beetles. Although, I’m sure there are stories to the contrary.

I've seen beetle damage in cabs but typically less cigars are affected, possibly because of the bundling. I've seen dress boxes where nearly all the cigars are affected. 

[vladdraq]

During the pandemic the LCDH i usually go (Melia Cayo Guillermo) got his AC stopped. After a while the stock was transferred to the closest store, terrible how many beetle damaged boxes i saw. 

[MrBirdman]

18 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

Why? Simply wiping it can leave microscopic amounts of mold to grow again. Hydrogen peroxide kills it and is harmless.

As the kids say, “smh.”

[Russell]

Thank you everyone for your help. I’ve wiped all the cigars down, just with paper towels, trying to use only clean paper towel for each cigar. Only had to toss a few that were too far gone - erring on the safe side. Disposed the box, and transferred the remaining sticks into their own sealed Tupperware with a Boveda. We’ll see how things go but I smoked one yesterday and was pleasantly surprised! Sorry @BrightonCorgi, looks like I’ll be keeping em. 😁