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Ah, arguing with the B&M about plume...
- Thread starter baglorious
- Start date
Yeah I don't even bother to mention it anymore either. I brought up in another thread about see a bunch of LG's with mold all over them and employee #1 wouldn't budge on it being plume. Employee #2, a good guy, but misinformed, proceeded to tell me how when they opened the box there was a sheet of plume across the top. Uhhhhh do you guys even know what plume is, and why it forms? Mark C was there, he heard it.
Another place I went to very recently had the most mold I've seen. Probably 50% of the boxes has mold. I didn't bother to say a word, just searched for something I could smoke in the store.
Another place I went to very recently had the most mold I've seen. Probably 50% of the boxes has mold. I didn't bother to say a word, just searched for something I could smoke in the store.
So if you're ever in Merced, CA, you may want to check out Cigar Monkey. I've only been there 3 or 4 times but the guys seem to be the good sort.
george
I've heard good things about this shop as well.
Even Steven
SilverBack
I don't know which is worse, that or one of the b&m's here had a box of I think were fuentes(none of the special high end line) that had what was clearly beetle doodoo, it was unmistakable. They kept that box in there for atleast a month, they didn't even bother to refill it (there were like 7 sticks left). Crazyness
688sonarmen
Gorilla
RPB is right. I'm back in Ct now and away from all the great shops in Va (Pops cigars, emersons to name a few)
I went to the only local shop in Groton and asked for some La Glorias that were behind the counter (and had a 2X markup) the guy hands them to me and says "Ahh plume" I said Thats Mold, he says plume, mold, plume and so on. If I owned a B&M I would be sure to train all my workers to check for Rh and mold. How hard can it be?
I went to the only local shop in Groton and asked for some La Glorias that were behind the counter (and had a 2X markup) the guy hands them to me and says "Ahh plume" I said Thats Mold, he says plume, mold, plume and so on. If I owned a B&M I would be sure to train all my workers to check for Rh and mold. How hard can it be?
I've had a few interesting experiences being a noobie, with finding B&Ms that I want to return to.
The very first place I tried had no walk-in humidor, just counter cabinets. I asked for a Fuente Curlyhead, and the guy walks over to a cabinet, reaches in, and hands me a stick with a band on it. I mentioned that curlyheads don't come with bands, and that this must be a curlyhead deluxe. After arguing back and forth, I decided to buy it - $5 + tax. Good smoke, but not for $5. Last time for that place!
Another place I stopped into, the employee came into the walk-in with me, explained the specials, and said " I gotta get out of here - I'm dying". The temp was running around 85f and the humidity was 78% - inside the humidor! I asked him if weren't those conditions bad for the cigars? He said he would let his boss know when he came in. Last time for that shop too...
I'm so happy that I've found a few B&Ms that have knowledgable owners and employees nearby!
Alley00p :ss
The very first place I tried had no walk-in humidor, just counter cabinets. I asked for a Fuente Curlyhead, and the guy walks over to a cabinet, reaches in, and hands me a stick with a band on it. I mentioned that curlyheads don't come with bands, and that this must be a curlyhead deluxe. After arguing back and forth, I decided to buy it - $5 + tax. Good smoke, but not for $5. Last time for that place!
Another place I stopped into, the employee came into the walk-in with me, explained the specials, and said " I gotta get out of here - I'm dying". The temp was running around 85f and the humidity was 78% - inside the humidor! I asked him if weren't those conditions bad for the cigars? He said he would let his boss know when he came in. Last time for that shop too...
I'm so happy that I've found a few B&Ms that have knowledgable owners and employees nearby!
Alley00p :ss
What exactly is "plume" anyways?
Heh, I didn't know what it was either. I decided to look it up and he we go.
Definition: Plume or bloom is a fine white powder or dust which forms on cigars when oils exude from the tobacco as a result of aging. Plume is a good sign that a cigar has been properly aged, and it can easily be brushed off. Not to be confused with mold, which is a bluish fungus that stains the wrapper.
Also Known As: Bloom
A: Plume, or bloom, (both terms are correct) is a common occurrence in premium, hand-rolled cigars. It means the cigar has exuded oils and small particles have attached to the oils. It does not damage the cigars. Your technique of using a small brush is appropriate; some people use sponges. However, be aware that cigars can also get mold. The mold usually has a bluish tint, unlike the white appearance of plume, and will stain your wrappers, which plume won't do. Mold is the direct result of a combination of high temperature (above 72 degrees) and excessive humidity. If you find mold on your cigars, check your humidor immediately
I learned something new today. YAY ME! :tu
massphatness
Shiv
I credit CS with giving me the knowledge to have an informed discussion with a B&M or cigar bar employee when issues like this arise. I try not to come across as argumentative, but I will try to press the point with them if they continue to insist it's plume and not mold. Usually, I try to take the approach of bringing it to their attention so the situation can be remedied rather than registering it as a complaint.
The funniest situation happened in a cigar bar. They had a couple Tat Havana VI boxes down near the humidifer, and there was obvious mold on them. I brought the situation to the attention of the owner who was having none of it -- plume, plume, plume he kept saying. So I bought one of the sticks, clipped it and gave it to him as a gift. I pulled out a stick of my own to smoke. He thanked me but didn't take me up on the smoke saying something about already had a number of 'gars that day.
When I checked back later that week, the boxes had been removed.
The funniest situation happened in a cigar bar. They had a couple Tat Havana VI boxes down near the humidifer, and there was obvious mold on them. I brought the situation to the attention of the owner who was having none of it -- plume, plume, plume he kept saying. So I bought one of the sticks, clipped it and gave it to him as a gift. I pulled out a stick of my own to smoke. He thanked me but didn't take me up on the smoke saying something about already had a number of 'gars that day.
When I checked back later that week, the boxes had been removed.
Nicely played Vin, very nicely played.
I credit CS with giving me the knowledge to have an informed discussion with a B&M or cigar bar employee when issues like this arise. I try not to come across as argumentative, but I will try to press the point with them if they continue to insist it's plume and not mold. Usually, I try to take the approach of bringing it to their attention so the situation can be remedied rather than registering it as a complaint.
The funniest situation happened in a cigar bar. They had a couple Tat Havana VI boxes down near the humidifer, and there was obvious mold on them. I brought the situation to the attention of the owner who was having none of it -- plume, plume, plume he kept saying. So I bought one of the sticks, clipped it and gave it to him as a gift. I pulled out a stick of my own to smoke. He thanked me but didn't take me up on the smoke saying something about already had a number of 'gars that day.
When I checked back later that week, the boxes had been removed.