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How to Smoke Cigars

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Cutting, Piercing

Hand-made premium cigars must be cut or pierced before they are smoked. There is a variety of piercing devices available, and the choice is simply a matter of personal preference. If you prefer to cut your cigars, it is very important that the cutting blade is very sharp because a dull blade will ruin your cigars. Hold the cigar at eye level to ensure you are cutting a straight line. Place the head of the cigar into the cutter, taking care not to cut into the shoulder (where the cap meets the body of the cigar), as this will cause the cigar to unravel. Use constant, quick pressure to cut off the end without crushing the cigar.

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Lighting

To light your cigar you need the correct lighter. Some cigar buffs use cedar strips, called spills, but most people use matches or a lighter. If you opt for matches, wooden ones are best because stay lit longer. If you prefer a lighter, be sure it uses butane fuel so as not to affect the cigar’s taste.

When you are ready to light your cigar, be sure that the flame does not touch the cigar. Direct contact with the flame can flavor the cigar with residue from your lighter or match. Instead, hold the cigar above the flame and rotate it to lightly char the foot. Then, place the cigar in your mouth and continue to light as you rotate the cigar, gently puffing in every few seconds.

 

Once the cigar is lit, remove it from your mouth and check the foot to make sure it is burning evenly. If it isn’t, blow gently on the foot to ignite the tobacco which is not burning. If one area is burning faster than the others, simply wet your finger and apply it beneath the quick-burning area to slow it down.

 

Extinguishing a Cigar

Opinions differ as to when to stop smoking a cigar. Some say once the cigar has burned halfway down, it is done. Others smoke it all the way down to their fingers. There really is no right or wrong answer, so do what feels right to you. If you reach a point when smoking your cigar is no longer enjoyable, just put it down. Unlike a cigarette, do not stomp it out or smash it. Just let it extinguish itself. 

 

Relighting a Cigar

If your cigar goes out, do not just relight it and continue smoking. If simply relit, the tars present in the cigar will cause the smoke to taste charred or stale. Before relighting, tap off all of the gray-white ash on the end of the cigar. Next, place the flame below the cigar until the heat from the flame causes the tip to ignite into a bright yellow flame. Then, gently blow through the cigar for a few seconds to burn off the tars built up in the cigar while smoking. Your cigar will now smoke as if it was freshly lit. 

 

Smoking

If your cigar starts to burn hot while smoking, gently blow through it to blow out all the smoke. Then, simply set the cigar down for a minute, wait, then smoke as usual!

Cigar Shapes, Sizes and Colors

A primer on cigar shapes, sizes and colors.

One of the missions of Midwest Mobile Cigar has always been to bring cigar lovers together. Between the Big Smokes across the tri-state   and our Internet chat room, we've done our best to help foster a community of connoisseurs.

But that's not enough. Many people will visit the site and the mobile unit who have never thought about smoking a cigar. But the cigar   coverage will pique curiosity, and some of these new visitors may become new smokers.

 

For these novice smokers, and for those who may not have yet discovered cigars, we offer Intro to Cigars, a crash course in the basics of   cigar smoking. This primer will highlight a range of cigar topics, from shapes and colors to the proper cutting, lighting and storage for your   smokes.

 

Shapes & Sizes

A cigar shape can vary greatly in size from brand to brand, so describing a cigar by its size as well as shape is important. Cigars are measured by two factors: length, which is given in inches, and "ring gauge," a designation of a cigar's diameter broken into 64ths of an inch. A cigar with a 42 ring gauge, for example, is 42/64 of an inch in diameter.

 

There is no correlation between the size of a cigar and its strength. An 8-inch cigar made with mild tobaccos will be mellow, while a thin, short cigar rolled with powerful tobaccos will be full bodied. While a cigar's strength is determined by the tobacco it is rolled with, thin cigars have a tendency to burn hotter than fatter ones. Also important to note is that there is no consistency of strength from brand to brand: one company's corona is likely to taste very different from another's.

 

Parejos

Parejos are straight-sided cigars; most have an open foot for lighting and need to be cut before smoking. They may be either round or box-pressed, meaning that the sides of the cigar were pressed square prior to packing or, in some cases, by pressure in the box.

 

Corona

This is the benchmark size against which all other sizes are measured. The traditional dimensions are 5 1/2 to 6 inches with a ring gauge of 42 to 44. Example: Montecristo No. 3

 

Petit Corona

Basically a miniature corona, this cigar generally measures about 4 1/2 inches, with a ring gauge of 40 to 42. Example: Montecristo No. 4

 

Churchill

A large corona format. The standard dimensions are 7 inches by 47 ring gauge. Example: Romeo y Julieta Churchill

 

Robusto

A short, fat cigar that has become the most popular cigar size in America. The size is generally 4 3/4 to 5 1/2 inches by 48 to 52 ring gauge. Example: Cohiba Robusto

 

Corona Gorda

Also called a toro, this cigar is steadily growing in popularity. The traditional measurements are 5 5/8 inches by 46 ring gauge, but cigars of 6 inches by 50 ring have also become popular. Example: Punch Punch

 

Double Corona

The standard dimensions are 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 inches by a 49 to 52 ring gauge. Example: Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona

 

Panetela

Long, thin and elegant, this size's popularity has decreased in recent years. Still, it is an elegant size, with a wide length variation of 5 to 7 1/2 inches with a ring gauge of 34 to 38. Cigars longer than 7 inches in this category are often referred to as "gran panetelas." Example: Cohiba Lancero

 

Lonsdale

A lonsdale is generally longer than a corona but thicker than a panetela, with a classic size of 6 1/2 inches by 42 ring. Example: Montecristo No. 1

 

Figurados

Although the majority of cigars are parejos, a growing number of cigar companies are broadening their portfolios with more creatively shaped smokes. These cigars are called figurados, and they include any cigar that is not a straight-sided cylinder. Although cigarmakers' interpretations of the shapes vary as widely as the flavors inside their cigars, the basic categories of figurados are as follows:

 

Pyramid

Pyramids are cigars with cut feet, like parejos, but with heads tapered to a point. Generally the cigars measure from 6 to 7 inches in length, with ring gauges of about 40 at the head widening to 52 to 54 at the foot. The pyramid is treasured because the tapered head allows the complex flavors of the cigar to meld in the mouth. Example: Montecristo No. 2

 

Belicoso

Traditional belicosos are short pyramids, often with a slightly rounded pyramid head. They often measure from 5 to 5 1/2 inches, with ring gauges of about 50. Today's belicosos, however, are often coronas or corona gordas with tapered heads. Recent years have also seen the production of mini-belicosos, short cigars with small ring gauges and tapered heads. Example: Bolivar Belicoso Fino

 

Torpedo

Although many companies include cigars called torpedos in their portfolios, the cigars are often pyramids. A true torpedo is a rare cigar today, a smoke with a closed foot, a head tapered to a point, and a bulge in the middle. Example: Cuaba Millennium

 

Perfecto

Like the torpedo, the perfecto has a closed foot and a bulge in the middle. Unlike torpedos, though, the head of a perfecto is rounded like the head of a parejo. Perfectos very greatly in length, from a diminutive 4 1/2 inches to unwieldy 9-inch cigars, with ring gauges from 38 to 48. Example: Partagas Presidente

 

Culebra

More popular in the past than it is today, the culebra is perhaps the most exotic shape of cigar made. It consists of three panetelas braided together and tied with string, sold as one cigar. The three parts are then unbraided and smoked separately. Usually 5 to 6 inches long, culebras most often have a 38 ring gauge. Since they are difficult to come by today, you might consider sharing the other two braids of the cigar with two friends, turning the smoking of a culebra into a special occasion. Example: Partagas Culebra

 

Diadema

Diademas are enormous, 8 1/2 inches or longer. The head is tapered, though often not to a complete point, usually with a 40 ring gauge. The cigar then tapers down to a foot that can be open like a parejo or closed like a perfecto, usually with a ring gauge of 52 or greater. This is a cigar to be enjoyed when time is no object. Example: Hoyo de Monterrey Diadema

 

Colors

Cigar wrappers come in a wide array of colors, from the palest of greens and yellows to dark black. Just as there are seven basic colors that make up the rainbow, there are seven basic color distinctions among wrappers, with an infinite number of shades between each color. A simple way to begin understanding the color designations is to remember that, just as the state of Colorado is in the middle of the United States, the color "colorado" comes in the center of the color range.

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Wrapper leaves vary in color due to the many methods for processing tobacco and the variety of tobacco strains used. Additionally, sunlight can play a factor: a wrapper grown in sunlight is typically darker than a shade-grown wrapper of an equivalent seed strain.

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From light to dark, the seven commonly used wrapper color descriptions are:

 

Double Claro (also called Candela)

This wrapper is light green, a hue created by a quick-drying process using heat that locks in the green chlorophyll of the tobacco. Years ago, this wrapper was tremendously popular in the United States, and it was a point of amusement for Europeans.

 

Claro

A light tan color, most commonly achieved by growing in shade under cheesecloth tents, picking the plants early and air-drying the leaves. Flavorwise, these wrappers have little to offer, and allow the flavors of the filler tobaccos to dominate the taste of the cigar.

 

Colorado Claro

Light reddish-brown; often grown in direct sunlight, and given longer to mature before picking.

 

Colorado

The center of the color scale. These cigars are medium-brown to brownish-red and full flavored, though soft and subtle in their aroma. These wrappers are often shade grown.

 

Colorado Maduro

Darker than colorado, lighter than maduro.

 

Maduro

This shade can vary from a deep reddish-brown to almost black. Maduro means "mature" in Spanish, which refers to longer time needed to cure this color wrapper than wrappers that are lighter. For maduros, leaves are either toasted in a pressure chamber or fermented longer in above-average heat. A maduro wrapper lends significant flavor to a cigar: it tends to be mild in aroma, but to have robust, almost sweet flavor.

 

Oscuro

This black-as-night wrapper shade is achieved by leaving the leaves on the plant as long as possible, by using only the leaves from the top of the plant, and by fermenting them for an especially long time. Most often Brazilian or Mexican in origin, oscuro wrappers are often very rough, a result of the extra fermentation. This category is sometimes referred to as "black," "negro" or "double maduro.

Insightful Storage Tips to Keep Cigar Quality

How to Properly Care for your Cigars: Storage Do's and Don'ts

Cigars may be stored in many different ways for as many different reasons. It is important that they are stored with some type of humidification and at a controlled temperature.

A cigar is a natural product and should be treated accordingly. As with any organic item, a cigar will succumb to the elements if not handled properly. It can’t be said enough: Cigars require both humidity and temperature control.

 

Do’s: It is best to keep your cigars in a humidor (until you are ready to smoke them) under conditions of 70% humidity and 70° F. This provides the cigars with an environment similar to the region where the tobacco was grown. To do so, there needs to be a humidification device (“humidifier”), a humidity gauge (“hygrometer”), and a place to keep your humidor that is away from either warm or cool temperatures. The “humidifier” should only be filled using distilled water, not tap water. It should also be noted that the humidity may fluctuate between 70 and 80 without negatively impacting the taste and quality of the cigars.

 

If you do not have a humidor, an airtight plastic container will work just as well. A common favorite for cigar storage is Tupperware. In addition, you may simply pour a little distilled water into a glass until you choose to buy a humidifier. Unlike a humidor, however, the Tupperware will have to be opened from time to time to prevent over humidification. If you like cigars, this shouldn’t be a concern as you’ll be enjoying them often.

 

Another storage idea, for small quantities and travel, is the Ziploc storage bag. If your cigars have been stored properly, a Ziploc bag will keep them fresh for about a week if not exposed to extreme temperatures. It is recommended that if you use this short-term method of storage, you place the bag in a solid container like tin or wooden cigar box. This will protect the cigars from being accidentally bent or crushed.

 

There are numerous other ways to store cigars such as coolers, glass or plastic jars, and myriad other products. Nothing, however, compares to a humidor. So if you’re serious about your cigars, make an investment in a humidor… you won’t regret it.

 

Don’ts: Do not put your cigars in your refrigerator or freezer! Because most units also dehumidify the air, storing cigars in the fridge will dry them out. Also, if there are aromatic foods near your cigars, such as onions or garlic, the cigars could take on their flavors. Finally, if a cigar has been stored in a refrigerator and hasn’t returned to room temperature before lighting, the wrapper may explode off the cigar. This happens because the heat from the smoke will cause the leaf to expand too quickly. 

 

White Spots (Bloom): At times, a fine white powder will form on the wrapper of the cigar during the aging process. This naturally occurring phenomenon, known as a bloom, is caused by the oils that exude from the tobacco and simply indicates that the cigar is alive and maturing as it should inside a well-maintained humidor. It is harmless and can be gently brushed off with a small camel hair brush, although there is no need to do this.

 

Mold: Bloom should not be confused with mold which is bluish-green and stains the wrapper. The presence of mold usually indicates a humidor is too warm or has excessive levels of humidity.

 

Dried Out Cigars: A dried-out cigar can be restored, but it does take time. For expensive cigars, it is usually recommended that you see your tobacconist. To restore cigars yourself, remove them from their tubes or wrappers, place them into a ziplock bag and seal it. Pierce the bag with the many little holes, then place the first bag (containing the cigars) into a second, larger ziplock bag along with a sponge moistened with distilled water. Seal the second bag. Rotate the cigars 25% every few days, so that all of the wrappers are exposed to the humidity. Repeat this process for a month. Once the cigars have regained their normal sponginess, they can be returned to the humidor but should remain there for another 9-12 months to allow enough time for the tobaccos to reach their proper equilibrium.

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