Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

Anyone else experienced this or know what is causing it?

Sometimes when I smoke a cigar a black tar like substance will form at the tip of the cigar. I know its there because I can taste it. I can get rid of it by cutting off a 1/4 inch of cigar, and it won't come back after that. Strangest thing is it has been happening recently more than ever. In the past 10 years of smoking I have had maybe 5 like this before a month or so ago.

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

Had one about two weeks ago that did this to me really bad. Couldn't even finish the stick.

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

I never get the tar at the tip unless I use a punch. The small hole left by the punch seems to make it collect around the edge of the hole.

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

Thats tar. Its caused by a couple different things. Are you punching your cigars or cutting them?

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

That's been my experience as well, when I clip it too short it happens.

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

Punch/small clip explains it.

Any idea why it happens some times but not others?

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

I'm lost, I punch all of my cigars and never get any tar. :sh

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

tighter draw, higher RH, environmental conditions... remember, youre dealing with a natural product.

One thought might be that a punch used on a 40RG cigar will remove a larger percentage of cap, than a punch used on a 56RG cigar. The smaller opening can cause an accumulation of nastiness. When you cut the tip, youre removing that nastiness.

Do you use different sized punches on your cigars Bill?

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

I got a nasty tar experience on two separate occasions from cutting a torpedo midway up the shoulder on an angle. I agree that a larger diameter cut may prevent this unpleasant experience.

I can still taste that bitter goo...

Dave

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

Nope Moe, Xikar 009 Punch every time. Maybe it's because I'm using a larger punch on all 50 RG or less smokes? :sh

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

trying... not...to... make...rude... remark :r:r:r:r

That sounds probable.

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

That's what she said.



Glad I went with the 009 then.

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

I noticed this as well when using a punch, haven't seen it since I bought my Xikar VX cutter

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

This is the best advice given so far. I do find it happens more in colder weather.

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

I've had this happen to me a hand full of time over the last 13+ years. I always thought it was just a mixture/combination of smoke, humidity & saliva...

but then again what do I know... -(P

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

Hmmmm... A few weeks back I split a culebra with one guy and a woman. Our two were fine but hers kept leaving brown goop on her lips so she put it out. Thought it was odd that ours were fine but hers produced mass amounts of tar. :confused:

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

Here is a picture for everyone's enjoyment:http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...2615_1_2_1.jpg

This was from an Anejo back in '07.

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

Ummm..sweet sweet nectar!

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

Wow that is quite disgusting. Looks like your cigar got shot and is bleeding. I'm glad I've never had that happen.

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

Had that happen more frequently as of late too. Not sure why. I've been told it is often cause by drawing too frequently, yet I frequently re-light due to the fact I can't shut up long enough to keep my cigars lit.

I have been trying lower humidity in my 'dor, again opposite from what I've heard the cause to be. I hear folks say hot-box and/or too wet = tar on the head. Yet I'm doing the opposite and it seems to be happening more often. Maybe 1 out of every 5-10 smokes.

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

What is the temperature like when you are smoking?

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

Would the temp be a big deal???

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

I have found that the temperature plays a big part in this happening. I have never had it happen in the spring or summer down here, or when the temperature outside ( I only smoke outside) is above 50F.

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

Well, it varies. I do not smoke outside during winter. I DO live in Michigan. Anyway, in winter I usually smoke in my sunroom which is heated, but cooler than the rest of the house. So usually 60.

I also smoke in a couple cigar bars or smoke shops around town that have normal room temps 65-70.

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

I've never been able to associate an environmental condition with it. It's happened to me with Cubans, non-Cubans, aged, fresh, indoors, outdoors, with dry boxing, and without dry boxing.

I have noticed it tends to happen for me more with certain cigars than others--QDO Panatelas, for one, seem prone to it. But I've had it happen with all sorts of cigars, even an '80s Davidoff 3000.

When it happens to me, it's usually within the first 1/4 of the cigar and sometimes can be cut past or, if you're careful to avoid touching the tar with your tongue or lips, can be smoked through and will often eventually stop (assuming you want to try; otherwise, pitch it).

Whatever the cause, it's annoying when it happens--which, thankfully, isn't often.

Re: Tar substance at the tip of the cigar
 

oh that sucks, I would hate to have to pitch a stick like that.