How to improve the draw of your cigar?

Draw problems are certainly one of the biggest annoyances a cigar enthusiast can encounter. In addition to ruining your cigar’s aromatic profile, a poor draw can lead you to throw away your precious vitoles before you’ve even had the chance to enjoy them. Fortunately, there are many solutions that can quickly remedy this problem. In this article, we help you understand the causes of a poor draw and provide the right solutions for each situation.

Why is my cigar plugged?

A poor draw can be explained in different ways. It may be a manufacturing defect, a problem related to improper storage, or the result of a poor cut.

It can sometimes happen that your cigar is rolled with tobacco leaves that are too tightly packed. This manufacturing issue is in fact relatively common and can even occur on premium cigars. A cigar may thus be too compressed in only one section or along its entire length. Unfortunately, this is a defect that is difficult to see with the naked eye and can only be noticed once your cigar is lit or during a cold draw.

When a cigar is rolled with leaves that are too tightly packed, air circulation inside it is restricted and proper combustion is prevented. On a cigar that is tightly packed along its entire length, it will therefore be very difficult, if not impossible, to draw. If, however, the plug is present only in one section, you will probably still be able to draw on it, but the burn will be very uneven and you will get very little smoke in the mouth.

A poor draw can also be the result of improper storage. When your cigars are kept in environments with excessive humidity, they can absorb moisture and become difficult or impossible to light. Damp tobacco will swell and prevent air from circulating normally. As a reminder, the ideal storage conditions for your cigars are 70% humidity and a temperature between 18° and 21°. It is also important to open your humidor at least once every two weeks in order to renew the air inside. These conditions help preserve the aromas of your cigars and allow your vitoles to be kept over time.

Finally, a poor draw can be the result of a bad cut. When a cigar is hand-rolled, torcedors place a cap on it to keep air from circulating inside and drying it out. Before lighting your cigar, it is therefore necessary to cut off this cap. Cutting your cigar is an important step in the rest of your tasting experience, since it will determine the quality of your draw. A cut that is too wide will in fact increase the amount of air inside your cigar and therefore heat the tobacco too quickly. Conversely, a cut that is too short will restrict airflow and cause a draw that is too tight. You will thus get almost no smoke in your mouth, and the flavors of your cigar will be diminished at the expense of the nicotine.

How can a poor draw be corrected?

The first thing to do before trying to fix a poor draw is to determine the source of the problem. Depending on the cause, the solution will not be the same.

Solutions for a manufacturing defect

If your draw problem comes from a manufacturing defect, you can improve the draw by making a hole in the center of your cigar with a cigar poker. Also known as a “Cigar Poker Draw” or “Perfect Draw”, this tool helps restore airflow within your module and thus loosen the draw. Before using your cigar poker, try to determine whether the blockage is located only at the head of your cigar or whether the problem runs along its entire length. Depending on the answer, the hole can be made in only part of your vitola or along its full length.

Be careful, though, because this tool is only recommended for large-ring cigars. This technique is in fact too invasive for slim cigars and risks damaging their structure. For this type of cigar, it is therefore better to apply gentle circular pressure with your fingertips in an attempt to loosen the blockage manually.

The solution to excess humidity

If your cigar’s poor draw is due to excess humidity, the best technique is to place it in a dry, well-ventilated place so it can dry gradually. On the other hand, avoid placing it near a radiator or directly in the sun in order to preserve its oils and limit it from drying out. To avoid spoiling your cigar’s flavors, you can also measure its humidity level even before lighting it. In fact, you can use a “CigarMedics” to quickly and accurately determine the relative humidity inside your cigar.

Adjust the cut to improve your draw

Finally, if your draw is restricted because of a poor cut, all you need to do is adjust your cut until the draw loosens up. It is therefore advisable to take a cold draw on your cigar in order to determine whether its draw is optimal even before lighting it. For more details, you can also refer to our article “How do you properly cut a cigar in 3 steps?”. There you will find all the practical advice you need to make a proper cut on your first try, as well as our recommendations on the best way to cut a Figurado.