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Learning how to skillfully cut and light your cigar will enhance your overall cigar smoking experience. Your cigar is made up of three different tobacco components: the filler, a binder and the wrapper leaf. You'll notice a cap at the head end of the cigar which is made up of the wrapper leaf.
To cut a cigar properly, you need to make your cut below the edge of the cap. You should leave enough of the cap to ensure that the cigar doesn't unravel on you. Be sure to make your cut with a single slicing action. A cigar scissors or a double bladed guillotine are the perfect choice for making the cut. Or, if you're a "wet" smoker you may consider a cigar punch instead.
Getting your cigar lit is a little more involved than lighting a cigarette. You need to be a little more patient and attentive to ensure a proper light. The fatter the cigar, the more time it will take to get it lit. To ensure that your cigar doesn't burn unevenly, you need to make sure that you get the entire foot end of the cigar lit evenly.
The ideal way to get your premium cigar lit is to use a lit piece of cedar a wooden match (after the sulfur has been burned off). You should avoid non-butane lighters because the gas will ruin the taste of your cigar. It's okay to use a butane lighter if you prefer.
You want to make sure that you get the foot end of your cigar evenly lit. Some people use a mirror to see when the end of the cigar is glowing red. This will help to ensure a proper light. Feel free to rotate the cigar in your hand while lighting it. This will help you avoid an uneven burn.
It's not uncommon for a cigar to go out while you're smoking it. Don't let this bother you, just light it back up. It will be easier to get it lit the second time around - you shouldn't even have to place the cigar in your mouth. Just clear the ash off the end and heat it up with a flame.
Please keep in mind that the longer a cigar has been extinguished, the increased chance you'll have that it won't taste good when relit. You should be perfectly fine for up to an hour or two. Just keep in mind that the longer it sits, the more tainted the tobacco will get by the smoke that's been drawn through it.
The most popular question that I'm asked about smoking cigars is should one remove the cigar band. This is really up to the smoker, but you should at least wait 10-15 minutes to ensure that the cigar is warmed up first. This will help ensure that the glue doesn't stick to the cigar and tear a hole in it while removing the band.
Regardless of when you decide to remove the band, you should peel it off rather than pulling it off the head (possibly damaging the cap). Oh, and one more thing piece of cigar etiquette, please don't tap your cigar while smoking it. If you need to remove it, just gently touch it to the side of the ashtray and it will fall off. When you're finished smoking your cigar - NEVER extinguish it like a cigarette, just place it in your ashtray and let it burn out. Enjoy! |
