Cigar Tips & General Info
Storage:
Cigars should be stored at 70 degrees and 70% humidity. Under these conditions, cigars can be kept indefinitely. Many cigars will improve with aging. Experienced smokers can learn to know which cigars will benefit most from the aging process. This process can continue to improve the flavor of cigars for twenty years or more, depending upon the type of cigar chosen for long term storage under the ideal 70/70 conditions.
Clipping the Cigar:
The closed end of the cigar or "head" should be cut the minimal amount possible while still opening at least 75% of the head's surface area. Almost all cigars have a cap, which is the bit of tobacco leaf used to close the head of the cigar. Don't cut past the cap, or the cigar will start to unravel
Ashes:
A long, firm ash is the sign of a well-rolled cigar. A good cigar will burn in an ashtray for three to five minutes. After finishing the cigar, the smoker should tip it into the ashtray and let it die out naturally. This produces the least amount of smell and residue.
Anatomy of a Cigar:
The core of a cigar is called the "filler". This filler can be either long filler, comprising whole leaves running the length of the cigar or short filler, consisting of scraps of cut up tobacco leaves. This filler determines the strength of the cigar smoke. The "binder" is made from leaves wrapped around the filler and twisted at each end to contain the filler. Finally, the "wrapper" is the outside layer of the cigar. Wrappers consist of high quality leaves with very thin veins and varying in color from double claro (the lightest) to oscuro (the darkest). Blending these components creates the flavor of the cigar and is the art that the educated smoker learns to appreciate.
Humidors:
The purpose of a humidor is to maintain cigars in peak condition. A humidor should provide a constant temperature of 68 to 70 degrees F and a humidity of 70% to 72%. The best wood for the interior of the box is unfinished Spanish cedar. The seams of the box should be perfectly fitted and the lids should close tightly. The humidor contains a humidifying device, which is a self-regulating reservoir of 50% propylene glycol and 50% distilled water. Propylene glycol absorbs excess moisture from the air and distilled water evaporates. These two substances, used together, will maintain a 70% humidity level in a humidor. The humidor should also contain a hygrometer, which is a device for measuring humidity.
Cigar Cutters:
A commonly used tool for clipping the cigar is the "guillotine" cutter. When used properly with a carefully eyed and decisive cut, this method is very reliable. The cutter should have a double bladeas the single blade guillotine cutters can result in crushed or tattered cuts
Lighters:
An excellent method of lighting a cigar is to use a cedar "spill". This is a long, thin strip of Spanish cedar, which is lit first and then used to light your cigar. Long, cedar matches provide a convenient substitute for the spills. It is important, however, when using a match, to allow the sulphur to burn away so that it isn't pulled into the cigar. Then, slowly turn the cigar as it is being drawn upon and lit to establish an even burn. Repeat this step in case the burn is uneven.
Ashtrays:
The proper ashtray for a cigar should have a "rest" about two inches long and close to an inch wide. Heavy glass or metal is the best material for an ashtray. The tray needs to be large enough to contain the ashes from two large cigars. Otherwise, there is an inconvenient build up of a large amount of ash in the tray. It is a good idea to empty the tray at the end of the day to avoid creating an overnight smell from a dead cigar. A good air purifier also helps considerably to remove cigar smell from a room.
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