"How-To" Tips

CHOOSING A CIGAR:

Today there are a larger variety of cigars than ever before. Selecting a cigar is the first and most important part of the experience. First, decide the level of body you are comfortable with. Strength for the sake of strength is overrated. A full body cigar should be felt in your stomach rather than in your throat or on your palate. The thickness of the wrapper leaf is a good measure of the body of a cigar. A thicker wrapper will generally deliver fuller body as it has a greater amount of oils. The thickness of the wrapper can be gauged by looking at the area where the wrapper overlaps in a cigar. Next, you will need to decide on a size. This should be determined by the amount of time you have available for smoking as well as the amount of smoke you enjoy. The large ring gauges (52-60) deliver large amounts of smoke and flavor. The medium ring gauges (43-50) are ideal for most blends as they are a good balance of smoke and flavor.

CUTTING YOUR CIGAR:

Several methods exist for cutting a cigar. It is generally a matter of personal preference. A scissor or guillotine cut usually provides a better draw. When cutting a cigar special attention should be given not to cut below the "cap". The cap holds the wrapper in place, cutting below it can cause the wrapper to loosen.

LIGHTING YOUR CIGAR:

When conditions allow, a cigar match is the preferred lighting source. However, the recent advances in the way of precision torch lighters have almost eclipsed the match. Either method is appropriate. You can light a cigar with a gas lighter or matches, but don't use a gasoline lighter because it will affect the taste. You can find special cigar matches, which light up slowly, but an ordinary match will do if you avoid those that are too rich on wax or sulfur. A cigar that has been correctly lighted will be always more pleasant than one that has not, so take your time. 

1. Hold the cigar horizontally in contact with the flame and turn it slowly until the end is equally burnt.  Only apply fire to the exposed leaves at the end of the cigar and do not burn the edges of the wrapper at the foot of the cigar.

2. You can then put the cigar in your mouth while keeping it horizontal. Hold the flame one-centimeter away from the end and slowly inhale while turning it. The end should start burning by now. The braise must be regular to avoid one side from burning faster than the other.

3. Now exhale gently over the braise to assure a regular combustion. The cigars that have been aged well burn better than the new ones, and a well-lit high quality cigar will be recognized by the fact that the braise will be covered by a fine black layer.  Once the exposed tobacco is evenly red your cigar is lit.

SMOKING YOUR CIGAR:

How one smokes a cigar will affect the overall flavor. To really appreciate a cigar, it is advised to smoke slowly and not draw too frequently, which will heat it and spoil the taste.  One should take slow deliberate draws on the cigar, slowly releasing the smoke and enjoying the taste on your palate. Cigars should not be inhaled. The high alkalinity and poor amount of nicotine will surely make you cough. To smoke a corona should take about one half hour, and the bigger cigars such as a Churchill or a Double Corona can take more than an hour.  Do not worry if your cigar stops burning, this is normal, especially if you have smoked more than half of it. Make the ash fall and light it up while burning the end of the wrapper. Next, exhale to chase out the cold smoke and light up your cigar as you would a new one. By doing this, you can smoke a cigar until two hours after you put it off; after two hours it will have acquired the taste of the cold smoke. 

The longer sizes can be smoked the day after if less than half of it has been smoked. It is not necessary to shake the cigars to make the ash fall prematurely, nor is there need to try to keep it as long as possible: too long, it obstructs the airflow and irregular combustion develops. The better the cigar has been made the longer the ash. When a cigar begins to let off too much heat and leaves an aftertaste in your mouth (generally during the last 4-5 centimeters), it is time to put it off. You don't have to put off a cigar like a cigarette: it will stop burning by itself inside the ashtray, but you will have to throw it away soon to avoid impregnating the room with the tenacious odor of cold tobacco.

AGING CIGARS

Aging is a complex process which requires special attention. While all cigars show some degree of maturity from additional aging, not all cigars age well. A common misconception is that a cigar which was rolled with "new" tobacco will lose its bite and harshness through humidor aging. No amount of humidor aging will mellow "new" or un-cured tobacco.

"The best cigars for aging are those which were well balanced and enjoyable to being with."

Proper aging requires a designated humidor which will not be used for daily use. It should have a capacity that exceeds the amount of cigars to be aged by at least 20%. Cigars should be placed in the humidor without cellophane. Allow for space for the head and foot of the cigars evenly. The humidity source should be one that can exceed 70% humidity. Aging cigars should be kept at 70%-79% humidity depending on the thickness of the wrapper. Thicker wrapper require higher levels of humidity. Once desired age is achieved a cigar should be brought to 70% before smoking.

Recommended Aging:

High Primes (Thicker Wrappers) Maduro/Habano/Corojo/Habano 2000/Criollo/Sumatra: 3-7 years

2-3 Primes (Medium Wrappers) Low Primes/Ecuador Connecticut: 2-5 years

1st Cut (Thinner Wrappers) USA Connecticut/Cameroon: 1-4 years