So what is everyone smoking?

[Beer&Bourbon]

I've been meaning to look into the glycol solution or beads. Do you just put them into the humidor? How much room do they take up? How often do you have to replace them? I've been using distilled water and the humidifier that came with my humidor, but I'm constantly checking it (which is part of the reason I picked up a pipe and some pipe tobacco recently).

[Ejmharris]

I've been meaning to look into the glycol solution or beads. Do you just put them into the humidor? How much room do they take up? How often do you have to replace them? I've been using distilled water and the humidifier that came with my humidor, but I'm constantly checking it (which is part of the reason I picked up a pipe and some pipe tobacco recently).

I got the cigar bar (holder) for $3 and glycol solution for 11 at jungle Jim's. It just takes up the space of about 1 cigar.


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[Wall Eye]

I've been meaning to look into the glycol solution or beads. Do you just put them into the humidor? How much room do they take up? How often do you have to replace them? I've been using distilled water and the humidifier that came with my humidor, but I'm constantly checking it (which is part of the reason I picked up a pipe and some pipe tobacco recently).

Heartfelt makes beads that come in various sizes to fit the humidor. From a small, cigar shaped container to large, 1 lb bags for really large humidors. The website has pictures and recommendations for the various sizes.

The containers are clear and you just observe the beads to see if/when you need to add any distilled water. They are supposed to last forever according to the website. You can buy beads set for a specific rh - 65 or 70% rh for example.

If you've got some very expensive cigars - let's say from pre-embargo Cuba for example - you will want to invest in a good quality digital hygrometer just so you can sleep well at night. But if you're like me, I just got rid of the cheap, inaccurate thing and trust the beads. No problems, no worries, works great.

[JayMonster]

I've been meaning to look into the glycol solution or beads. Do you just put them into the humidor? How much room do they take up? How often do you have to replace them? I've been using distilled water and the humidifier that came with my humidor, but I'm constantly checking it (which is part of the reason I cked up a pipe and some pipe tobacco recently).

A couple. things at play here. First the humidifier that came with your humidor is probably a piece of junk. They usually are. But beyond that, it sounds to me like either your humidor isn't seasoned or doesn't have a good seal (which could be because of the need to be seasoned.

If you do pick up a cigar bar or other solution, I would start over, season the humidor before adding the cigar bar. Put everything back and watch. If you are adding water in a week (or less), then the "seal" of your humidor is no good.

[Happyhour24x7]

I was out in Vegas over the weekend and picked up one of the exclusive cigars available at Casa Fuente. I think they described it as the Opus X filler witha Cameroon wrapper. It was ok, but unremarkable; especially given the price paid I was expecting much more.

[JayMonster]

I was out in Vegas over the weekend and picked up one of the exclusive cigars available at Casa Fuente. I think they described it as the Opus X filler witha Cameroon wrapper. It was ok, but unremarkable; especially given the price paid I was expecting much more.

I find this true with a lot of cigars with Cameroon wrappers in general, add to the price the fact that you picked it up in a tourist trap location that specializes in selling more to "high roller" wanna-bes than anything else, and you wind up with an overpriced and underwhelming experience... unfortunately.

(In general, A. Fuente does make some exceptional cigars though).

[Happyhour24x7]

actually, I love Cameroon wrapped cigars, generally speaking; that is what sold be on this particular one. Yes, Vegas is a trap, and yes, the shop is in a high end area; but given that this is Fuente's flagship store I guess I just expected something phenomenal- that's why I was willing to pay the price.

[JayMonster]

actually, I love Cameroon wrapped cigars, generally speaking; that is what sold be on this particular one. Yes, Vegas is a trap, and yes, the shop is in a high end area; but given that this is Fuente's flagship store I guess I just expected something phenomenal- that's why I was willing to pay the price.

I was talking about the price. Camwroon wrappers can be very good, but they tend to be very fragile and more limited in supply making them typically more expensive.

The other issue that I forgot to mention is that most stores like that tend to over humidify to accoint for the in/out traffic. Let it sit in your humidor a while and settle and you may have gotten a bit more flavor out of it.

Either way, it is sad that you had such a sub par experience with what sounds like it ahould have been a nice blend.

[Happyhour24x7]

Well, I did buy an extra to bring home, so we'll see what round 2 brings...and hope you are right!

[JayMonster]

Well, I did buy an extra to bring home, so we'll see what round 2 brings...and hope you are right!

You really got me thinking since we started this. I dug into my humidor and found and Opus X and a Hemingway Short Story from 2001. I may have to fire up one of those this weekend if the weather holds (can't smoke 'em in the house).