How To Smoke A Cigar Properly (Mikes cigar)

Tip! How to Know In a perfect world, the way to discover the age of a cigar would be to simply ask for an ID, waiting patiently as the cigar digs around in its purse or wallet. In reality, however, the signs of an older cigar are slight shrinkage (perhaps it was ‘in the pool’), the ability to move the cigar rings up and down the length of the cigar without much friction, and the presence of a light whitish gray powder (known as plume).

Lighting the cigar correctly is a vital part of the process, not only from the view of ensuring it burns smoothly and evenly, but the ritualistic element is part of the pleasure of cigar smoking.

Handmade cigars need to be cut before lighting. Using a sharp knife, scissors or ideally a cigar cutter, remove the closed end of the cigar, leaving about one eighth of an inch (3mm) of the cap remaining. Make the cut quick and clean; to avoid damaging the wrapper leaves. The real trick is to be decisive, once you have lined up the cut, do it in one quick motion; a tentative, squeezed cut will tear the leaves.

To light the cigar, hold the cigar horizontally and bring the flame up to meet the end, (remember to use an odourless light, not a petrol lighter) revolving the cigar so the end is uniformly charred, blowing on the charred end will create a slight glow, which aids the smooth burning of the cigar. Now draw slowly on the cigar, whilst holding the flame almost but not quite, touching the cigar. Slowly rotate the cigar in the flame to ensure an even burn. Blowing gently on the lit end also helps evenness.

Tip! This is because cigars adapt to their surroundings, absorbing their environment like a sponge. If they are kept in an ill-suited environment, they will age to be ill-suited cigars, disappointing both their parents and the person who bought them.

Once the cigar is lit, allow the smoke to waft around your mouth, enjoying the flavour. Do not puff too hard and cause overheating nor inhale like a cigarette. A good cigar will create an ash that can get as long as an inch (2.4cm.) Don’t flick this too often, unlike a cigarette, or risk the cigar going out or burning unevenly. Should the cigar go out, simply knock any burnt ash from the end and start the lighting process from the beginning.

When the cigar is about an inch (2.5cm) from the middle of the band, it is time to give it up. Lay the cigar in an ashtray and it will soon extinguish itself. Remember to dispose of the butt as soon as possible. The old saying goes that, “The only time a Havana resembles a cheap cigar is in the ashtray.”

Tip! The Cigar Aficionado magazine, in its quest to find the perfect cigar, recently rated a group of older cigars. The Fuente Fuente OpusX Reserva D’ Chateau (1996), the Partagas Partagas De Partagas No.

About The Author:

Tobacconist Purdy & Tully specialise in the sale of Smoking Pipes, Cigarette Lighters, Cigars, Hand rolling and Pipe Tobacco. Always happy to share their extensive product knowledge, they can be reached at their website =>http://www.purdyandtully.co.uk or by email =>info@purdyandtully.co.uk

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How To Smoke A Cigar Properly (Mikes cigar)

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