You open your humidor.
You spot white stuff on your cigar.
Your heart skips a beat.

Relax, champ. This is one of the most common cigar freak-out moments—and most of the time, it’s not bad news.

Cigars can develop plume (aka bloom) or mold, and those two things are not even remotely the same. One is a flex. The other is a problem.

Let’s break it down like grown adults who enjoy fire and fermented leaves.

What Is Plume (a.k.a. Cigar Bloom)?

Plume is the cigar world’s version of gray hair—it means your cigar is aging gracefully.

Why Plume Happens

Plume forms when natural oils and sugars migrate to the surface of a well-aged cigar. It’s most common on premium, properly stored cigars and usually shows up when your humidor conditions are dialed in just right.

In other words:
👉 Your cigar is chill.
👉 Your humidor is working.
👉 You’re doing something right.

What Plume Looks Like

• Fine, white or light gray dust

• Almost crystalline or powdery

• Wipes off easily with a finger

• No smell. No fuzz. No panic.

Jeff one-liner #1: If it looks like powdered sugar and acts like dust, you’re winning.

What Is Mold on a Cigar?

Now for the bad cousin who shows up uninvited.

Mold is a fungal growth caused by excessive humidity, poor airflow, or temperature swings. And unlike plume, mold doesn’t politely sit there—it spreads.

Why Mold Happens

• Humidity consistently above ~72%

• Poor air circulation

• Over-wet humidification devices

• “Set it and forget it” humidor habits

What Mold Looks Like

• Fuzzy, webby, or hairy texture

• Green, blue, black, or bright white

• Smells musty or sour

• Comes back after wiping

If it looks like it needs antibiotics, don’t smoke it.

Plume vs. Mold: The Quick Gut Check

Texture Test

• Plume: Smooth, dusty, wipes clean

• Mold: Fuzzy, sticky, stubborn

Color Test

• Plume: White or light gray only

• Mold: Green, blue, black, or patchy white

Smell Test

• Plume: Nothing

• Mold: Basement funk

Behavior Test

• Plume: Stays gone once wiped

• Mold: Comes back like a bad ex

Can You Smoke a Cigar with Plume?

Absolutely. In fact, many cigar smokers seek it out.

Plume often appears on cigars that have been aging nicely—sometimes alongside fuller flavor development and smoother combustion. Give it a gentle wipe and enjoy the reward.

If you’re curious how age and construction affect flavor, our breakdown on long filler vs short filler cigars is a solid rabbit hole to fall into:
👉 https://bobalu.com/blog/long-filler-vs-short-filler-cigars/

What If You Find Mold?

Be ruthless.

• Isolated mold on one cigar? Toss it.

• Multiple cigars affected? Quarantine immediately.

• Humidor infected? Clean with distilled water + isopropyl alcohol and reset humidity.

And while you’re at it, make sure your storage fundamentals are locked in. This guide on proper cigar storage will save you money and heartbreak:
👉 https://bobalu.com/blog/how-to-store-cigars-properly/

Cigars are cheaper than medical bills. Don’t gamble.

How to Prevent Mold in the First Place

• Keep humidity 65–70%

• Avoid over-saturating humidifiers

• Rotate cigars occasionally

• Crack the humidor weekly for airflow

• Use quality cigars that are properly rolled and aged

If you’re building a rotation or dialing in storage, grabbing a well-balanced cigar sampler helps you monitor how different blends age under the same conditions:
👉 https://bobalu.com/shop/cigar-samplers/

FAQ: Plume vs Mold on Cigars

Is plume rare on cigars?

Not rare—just misunderstood. It usually appears on well-aged cigars stored under consistent conditions.

Can mold make you sick if you smoke it?

Potentially, yes. Mold spores are not something you want in your lungs. When in doubt, throw it out.

Does plume change cigar flavor?

Many smokers believe plume indicates a smoother, more developed flavor profile, though results vary.