Ammonia in Cigars

[bassman]

I've always heard about the aroma of ammonia in cigars that are not properly aged, but never experienced it until today. I opened a box of ABR 08 RASS, and noticed a mild smell of ammonia. Decided to try one anyway. Big mistake- the cigar was totally harsh & even smelled like ammonia while burning. My wife, who normally doesn't mind cigars, came down to see what the ^&^* I was smoking! Needless to say, that box will be buried for quite a while.

[frenchkiwi]

I've always heard about the aroma of ammonia in cigars that are not properly aged, but never experienced it until today. I opened a box of ABR 08 RASS, and noticed a mild smell of ammonia. Decided to try one anyway. Big mistake- the cigar was totally harsh & even smelled like ammonia while burning. My wife, who normally doesn't mind cigars, came down to see what the ^&^* I was smoking! Needless to say, that box will be buried for quite a while.

yeah interesting thing is that some cigars are fine in that first year - wonder if it depends on the type of leaves used or simply that sometimes they roll up leaves which haven't been properly aged (apparently 1 year min. for all leaves now)?

e.g. I've got a box of Hoyo Epicure Especial from Mar 09 that are definitely Not ready to smoke - too moist, a bit of ammonia.

[El Presidente]

I've always heard about the aroma of ammonia in cigars that are not properly aged, but never experienced it until today. I opened a box of ABR 08 RASS, and noticed a mild smell of ammonia. Decided to try one anyway. Big mistake- the cigar was totally harsh & even smelled like ammonia while burning. My wife, who normally doesn't mind cigars, came down to see what the ^&^* I was smoking! Needless to say, that box will be buried for quite a while.

There are days when I light up on the deck and Diana or Lise will wander out and ask what the hell I am smoking as the aroma is just rank. I wouldn't say it happens to one cigar more than another. Just happens from time to time but certainly less and less since 06.

[jquest63]

Ouch! Definitely need to put away until ammonia disappears. I've not had this issue with CC's for the past few years. Typical of NC's during the "boom" years.

[samb]

This is pretty rare for me, but I havent smoked too many CCs just yet.

[dicko]

I've only had this in the last inch or so and a lot of the time its not overly unpleasant. been very faint though...

[Taino]

I agree with Prez here. All cuban boxes I've bought second half of 07, 08 & 09 have almost no ammonia. They are using tobacco with more years on it or we are just experiencing one of the consequences of HSA overstock?

[thechenman]

I have yet to experience that ammonia phenomena...hope to never experience it.

[bassman]

I have yet to experience that ammonia phenomena...hope to never experience it.

It's not enjoyable. I only smoked an inch or so & had a sore throat the rest of the day.

[Habanos2000]

I imagine that leaving cigars in a humidor probably helps dissipate the ammonia smell. But is there any hope that those cigars will end up smoking good? If I understand the ammonia smell to be from leaves that were not fermented long enough, which is a time x temp equation, how does a 65 F degree humidor correct that?

[MIKA27]

I imagine that leaving cigars in a humidor probably helps dissipate the ammonia smell. But is there any hope that those cigars will end up smoking good? If I understand the ammonia smell to be from leaves that were not fermented long enough, which is a time x temp equation, how does a 65 F degree humidor correct that?

Does leaving a CC in the Humi correct it, that is a great question as whilst, I do not have any CC's that smell of amonia, yesterday I decided to have a RJ Short Churchill, smelt great, tasted ok but towards the 2nd third, had an overwhelmingly strong amonia flavour that did not subside. I had this stick in the humi for at least 12 months.... Not sure on box code as I purchased as singles early 2008.

[cgarner]

I haven't run into this problem yet.

[sloth]

the worse for me was a NC house brand from a place in New Jersey. They were a "gift"... but man it was strong! Nose buring strong! Opening the box they came in was like poppin' open a bottle of bleach!

[sje]

I shiver when i hear about an Ammonia smell, i have (had) a Cohiba jar since 1999, left this with Fidels (the then best cigar lounge in Melbourne) after a few years, a few changes in managers at the venue and a complete lack of care i collected all my jars, but the Cohiba were foul, really foul, mould (most of it wiped away) and very strong Ammonia,

i have done all i can for nearly 4 years but have not been able to revive these.

cant throw them, cant smoke them,

i hope your issue is not similar

sje