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No
5 - January 11, 2001
What
do I need to do to keep my cigars in good condition?
A cigar is a perishable
luxury item.
A neglected cigar will vent its feelings.It may become so dry
that it unravels or smokes hot and harsh. Or it may become so
wet that it won't stay alight, and the draw will be "hard enough
to herniate you" as Dale Scott (regular contributor to Smokeshop
Magazine, www.smokeshopmag.com) says in his 1997 article "Inside
the Wrapper".
The
factors affecting the comfort zone of your cigar are temperature
and humidity.
The 70:70 rule applies, ie. Relative Humidity of 70% at 70ºF (21.1ºC)
(The Gourmet Guide to Cigars – Paul Garmirian,
1990)
Temperature:
Cool is essential,
19ºC to 21.5ºC. If your cigar is stored at too high a temperature
for too long, the dreaded tobacco beetle, embedded deep in the
cigar, may hatch and eat its way out of your lovely Robusto, leaving
a neat hole that renders the cigar unsmokeable. But you don't
have to run around with a thermometer. You know the cool place
in your home or office, the place where you would be comfortable
in a warm jacket, even in summer. That's where you should keep
your cigars.
Humidity:
Relative Humidity is the amount of water vapour present
in the air compared with the maximum the air could hold at that
temperature - any more than the maximum and the air will be saturated
and it will start to rain. Cooler air holds less water vapour
before it is saturated, so the same amount of water vapour will
be closer to saturating the air and give a higher relative humidity
reading.
Relative Humidity is measured with a Hygrometer (Hygrostat).
Dale Scott postulates that the cigars need the same amount
of water vapour all the time, so if the cigars are stored at 20ºC
(68ºF) the Relative Humidity reading on the hygrometer should
be 75%. If the cigars are stored at 21.5ºC (72.5ºF) the Relative
Humidity reading should be 68%.
Consistency:
Cigars don't like drastic changes - so if you keep them within
this comfort zone (20-21.5ºC, and 65-75% relative humidity) they'll
be happy and the small changes in temperature and humidity won't
make any practical difference.
Generating humidity - keeping the air moist:
Humidifiers can range from a damp wad of cotton wool or florists' oasis, up
to a high-tech unit, which only requires attention once every
three to four months. In practice, resist the temptation to over
humidify your cigars.
Measuring humidity:
Several types of hygrometers are available. Most of them will
give you only an approximate reading. However many cigar Aficionados
claim that the only true way is to feel the cigars. They could
be right - there is a certain degree of subjectivity involved.
You may prefer your cigar slightly drier. Theo
Rudman quotes a British cigar merchant as saying: "A dry,
aged cigar gives you the taste of pure tobacco, not simply water".
Try it, but smoke slowly.
The Humidor:
"A container for cigars which seals and contains a hygrometer
and humidifier." This definition covers anything from Tupperware
to the finest, cabinet quality, cedar box with inlaid design.
Every time you open the "humidor" the air changes. This small
exchange of air helps maintain the freshness of the air, but it's
the reason why you need to watch the humidity.
Travelling - don't allow your cigars to get too warm - beware the cubby-hole:
If you're taking a full box, damp the outside of the box and wrap
it in a strong plastic bag - folding the bag to provide an adequate
seal. As you use the cigars fill the empty space with crumpled
tissue paper, moistened with one or two drops of water. (Not too
much)
The safest method, especially for a variety of cigars, is to use
individual glass
tubes. The cigars will keep almost indefinitely in
the same perfect condition as they were when they went into the
tubes. And the tubes can also be used to "doggy bag" unfinished
cigars.
Most leather cigar
cases are not airtight and don't include a humidifier.
Hint: Use a three-cigar case and replace the middle cigar
with a cigar freshener.
When things go
wrong:
Your cigars are too wet or too dry. Don’t despair, they can
be restored provided the wrapper is intact.
Take it easy - cigars don't like sudden changes. To reverse
either way takes much patience.
Too dry - the cigars feel really hard, almost brittle.
Leave the cigars in their original cedar box, wipe down the outside
of the box with a wet sponge or place a wet sponge next to the
box, seal the whole box (and sponge) in a plastic bag and leave
it in a cool place for at least a month. Alternatively, put the cigars in a Tupperware, or similar, container on a bed of cedar sheets (you can normally find one in any box of 25 cigars). Next to, but not touching the cigars, put some damp cotton wool or sponge. Open, feel the cigars and cotton wool (moisten if necessary), Generally they will be perfectly
acceptable provided the natural oils haven't evaporated (usually
through overheating).
Too wet - The cigars are damp and spongy. Leave the humidor
slightly open for a few days, and then closed without humidification
for as long as it takes. Open every few days to check – the air
needs to be exchanged.
If they are mouldy (blue-grey "fur" which forms when the conditions are too hot and
damp) you could treat the affected cigars separately, but it’s
probably too late.
"Bloom"(or plume) is a white "dust" on the surface of a
cigar (akin to that on a plum). It is not harmful and can be brushed
off with a soft brush. (Some people believe it improves the cigar.)
Colin Wesley
You can read previous
articles from "Across the Counter" in The
Library.
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No
6- January
25, 2001
Are
you one of the lucky ones?
Are you one of those
rare pipe-smokers for whom everything has gone right from puff
one?
The right pipe … the
right accessories … the right techniques all came naturally …
and luckiest of all, the right tobacco from which you haven't
strayed. The taste is right, it doesn't die on you, and you have
never experienced tongue burn.
Or have you
been something of the opposite?
It wasn't easy … you made mistakes … your tongue thought
you were running a vendetta against it. You wasted half packet
after half packet of tobaccos in your search for something, if
not perfect, at least acceptable.
It could be
easier!
You could experiment methodically with your tobaccos -
trying small quantities of different types of tobaccos, for example,
instead of possibly the same type over and over.
Take a look
at the Wesley Houseblends - feel
them, smell them, taste them.
Explore the world of tobaccos using small quantities of
a variety of Houseblends … savouring the aromas, identifying the
flavours, mixing, making notes, assessing, discarding, varying
the proportions, adjusting the burning rate, trying again … relaxing
and appreciating.
The Wesley Houseblends
cover the basic natural tastes (Latakia, Perique and matured Virginia)
plus a variety of Aromatics - Cherry, Mocca, Whisky and our top seller
the gentle Old Gold. We're
happy to give you free samples to try, and when you find your
"Perfect Blend" you'll be happy
to know that there are significant price savings in bulk buying.
Now you have
triumphed!
You're settled in with your pipe and tobacco - but there are still
more options!
Whatever stage you have reached in your pipe smoking you
might still be ready for a change in your tobacco … maybe only
for after dinner … or outdoors … or on holiday; maybe to confirm
that your usual blend is still the best for you, or to discover
whether your tastes have changed.
You don't want
to change your tobacco?
Try a different pipe.
Corncob, clay, calabash, meerschaum or cool waterpipe - they all add to your smoking pleasure.
You can read previous
articles from "Across the Counter" in The
Library.
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No 7- February
8, 2001
"I'm
looking for a gift for a man"
This must be one of
the most common statements we hear in all our shops.
Our first response
is: "Does he smoke?"
If yes, no problem. As you can see from the website,
the Wesley's shops carry a wide range of "Products
& Paraphernalia" for the smoker - of pipes, of cigars or of
cigarettes. Browse though the site at your leisure, and then visit
your favourite Wesley's or contact
the Mail Order Department.
Answer: "no"
- then let's look at another aspect of Wesley's.
We have made it our business to cater for other gifts
to help him relax and enjoy his leisure hours.
Have you ever wondered where to find one of these?
· A wine opener with a quality worm.
· A wine thermometer
that glows in the dark.
· Interesting beer mugs, bar accessories and ornaments.
· A stainless steel hipflask with
a captive cap (can't get lost in the snow or sand).
· An ice crusher with metal teeth.
· A penknife with corkscrew, scissors and pliers, and blades sharp
enough to cut biltong.
· A pocket torch with an adjustable beam.
· A pack of quality cards - including some with South African
themes.
· A set of Poker dice or Dominoes - other games.
· A billfold with plenty of spaces for credit cards.
· A walking stick that won't collapse
when leant on.
· A walking stick with a concealed blade or flask.
Most of these and
more can be found in any Wesley's. The range of gifts in each
Wesley's depends on the size of the shop, its location and the
inclinations of the owner.
We are
certainly worth a try.
Some suggestions
from individual Wesley's:
Brooklyn - Stainless Steel Cocktail Shakers; Bar Sets.
Cresta - Collectible Model Cars.
Eastgate - Quality
Stainless Steel Hip Flasks, including the Nat Sherman Cigar Flask.
East London - Coffee
Specialists; Coffee Grinders, Espresso Cups and Pots; Cafetieres.
Mbabane - Fine Jewellery and Watches.
Nelspruit - Big 5 Candles; Sabie Valley Coffee (gift packed).
Port Elizabeth - Bar Lamps; the largest range of Zippo in the Eastern Cape.
Richards Bay -
Framed Nautical Knots; Brass Ships' Bells.
Rosebank - The new
Swiss Army Tool; MAGLITES; Canasta Cards.
Westville - Tie Pins & Cuff Links; Glass Ships in bottles.
And we are not
politically incorrect - all these gifts are also suitable for
"a gift for a woman".
My wife is never without her elegant little Swiss Army Knife with
scissors and a torch.
Colin Wesley
You can read previous
articles from "Across the Counter" in The
Library.
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No 8- February
22, 2001
"Why
not a Short Filler cigar?"
Often maligned or ignored
by many cigar smokers, I feel these cigars have a very definite role
to play in the world of cigar smoking.
Consistency
is the keyword.
Being machine made, the consistency of construction is very
high. Machines can be set to weigh out exact amounts of tobacco, roll
them into an exact diameter and cut to an exact length, with no margin
for human error. So a good, even, easy draw is virtually assured.
Since the filler is composed of small pieces of tobacco (hence the
term "short filler") the composition can be a Blender's dream. Up
to as many as 15 to 20 different tobaccos may be used to fine-tune
the blend, and again the degree of consistency will be very high.
Here the skill of the tobacco buyer comes into play - to ensure consistency
of flavour from year to year.
Short filler cigars
that use all natural leaf, will usually state "100% tobacco" on the
box.
For my taste I look for the 100%
tobacco sign and choose a size to complement the time I will
have to smoke it. I find, and this has been borne out by various
discussions and at functions, that such a short filler cigar is
a good "first cigar" of the day or evening. Activating the taste
buds, not hammering them. Leaving them ready for something more
substantial later. They are also ideal for a coffee break smoke
or just a light smoke at any time. My suggestion is that you consider
them to see where they can fit into your cigar smoking portfolio.
Cigars such as La Paz, certain Panter, Agio, Willem II – and now the Vasco da Gama range.
They will add another dimension to your pleasure, and in many
cases a financial benefit to your pocket.
Mass market Cigars.
Very often the binder is homogenised tobacco leaf (HTL) which is really
only tobacco stalks and fibres mixed with water and cellulose, then
pulped and rolled out like paper. But it is very pliable and resilient,
allowing machines to process up to 800 cigars per minute. Over a full
day that is an enormous production advantage compared with the 100/150
per day a good hand roller can achieve. The wrapper can be natural
leaf. This option is usually reserved for the more upmarket mass produced
cigars. See Agio Senoritas,
Panter Mignon, Agio Meharis Cigarillo, Willem II Sigretto. The
production of these cigars falls somewhere between the 150 fully handmade
cigars per day and the thousands per day of high-speed machine made
cigars. Those cigars using HTL tobacco for both the binder and the
wrapper are often flavoured (eg. cherry, vanilla, rum, etc.) and quite
often chemicals are added to minimise the natural tobacco taste, leaving
the cigar so mild that to smoke 6 or 7 a day is no problem. A good
example of a small flavoured cigar is Ritmeester
Moods - to be featured soon.
Colin Wesley
You can read previous
articles from "Across the Counter" in The
Library.
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No 9- March
8, 2001
Lighting
Up
We may not know
quite where we may light up, but it is still essential to know how.
Your
Cigar:
You want to get the cigar alight so that you can smoke it, but
why the rush?
Anticipation is a major part in the fulfilment of your enjoyment.
Just watching the foot of the cigar start to glow is exciting - "Will
this cigar really taste as good as I expect?"
The first few puffs will answer the question, but these can
be influenced by the way you have lit the cigar.
Normal Gas lighter: Butane gas burns with a controlled, odourless flame. The flame should
be large enough to cover about half of the foot of the cigar. Rotate
the cigar with the foot at an angle just above the flame (or above
an angled flame) until it ignites spontaneously
and starts to glow. Occasionally blow gently on the foot to see if
it is evenly lit, or where some attention is needed. Act accordingly,
then start to draw gently and enjoy the beginning of one of life's
great luxuries.
Wooden spill or match: A spill should preferably be cedar, a match thicker than
normal (or use two).
Light your cigar as you would using a normal
gas lighter, but allow the first flash on lighting the match to finish
before applying the flame to the foot of the cigar to avoid a sulphurous
first puff.
Turbo - the "miniature blow torch": The flame is very
strong and hot - perfect for the golf course or outside in any sort
of bad weather, but it should be used very carefully or the foot will
be charred in seconds with no chance of the natural oils gently evaporating
away. The oils will simply be burnt up, and the cigar may reflect
this burnt taste. In the quiet of your home or favourite smoking restaurant
use a gentler flame. Relax - take your time.
Liquid fuel lighter: Liquid
fuel may impart a possibly unacceptable taste to the smoke. Light
as normal, but blow gently though the cigar before the first puff
to remove any residual taste. As with the Turbo, it is a perfect lighter
to defeat the elements.
Your
Pipe:
A normal gas pipe lighter, with an angled flame makes lighting really easy – or use a spill or matches when at peace, Liquid Fuel for windy conditions. (A Turbo flame is not suitable for pipes – the flame is too strong and too hot.)
Lighting is a 2-part event. First you create a completely
charred top by gently drawing and moving the flame over the whole
surface of the tobacco. The initial charring of the entire surface
spreads the fire and ensures that the tobacco will burn evenly right
the way down to the heel. (It is best if the lighter has a slightly
angled flame to help avoid burning the rim of the bowl.)
Part 2: Once the top of the tobacco is charred, and
has risen from the burning and the expansion of the air in the bowl
- remove the pipe from your mouth, tamp the tobacco down quite firmly,
and relight the pipe.
Pipes have a habit of going out. It is not unusual for
even experienced smokers to relight the pipe several times during
the enjoyment of a pipeful.
So don't despair if your pipe fades, just tamp, relight and
relax.
This
fortnight we feature the practical, well-priced IMCO lighter for pipe and cigar - combined with 50g of Houseblend
tobacco or
a Don Mateo Maduro cigar (Robusto size).
This cigar (normal price R50.00 in
a glass tube)
was given a  rating in the CigarStyle Robusto tasting.
Colin Wesley
You can read previous
articles from "Across the Counter" in The
Library.
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No 10 - March 15,
2001
RINGSIZE
-
the Diameter of the cigar
- how does it affect your enjoyment.
Ringsize: In countries using the Imperial system of measurement (feet and inches),
such as England in the past and the United States today, the diameter
of the cigar is expressed in "rings", where one ring is one 64th of
an inch.
So a cigar may be 42 x 5:
Diameter 42/64th inch and length 5 inches;
In the metric system this would translate as 16.67 x 127:
Diameter 16.67mm,
length 127mm;
Frequently the systems are mixed, and the size is described as 42
x 127 (or 127 x 42).
You can find some common shapes & sizes in Cigars
- Smoking for Pleasure or here.
So
much for the Mathematics - what is the relevance to the cigar smoker?
The Draw:
The larger the ringsize the easier the draw, and the more smoke you
will receive with each draw.
A large ringsize suits some people, but not all. If you prefer to
really "sip" your cigar you may not draw sufficient air to keep the
burning end alight. You may find a slimmer ringsize (32 to 42) more
suitable. Drawing too hard on a slim cigar in order to get more smoke,
may cause the cigar to burn too fast, giving a hot smoke and harsh
taste. In this case, try drawing in a little air with the smoke.If your favourite Robusto,
for example Hoyo Epicure No.2 (50 x 129), is not available, the same
ringsize in a different brand may be preferable to a thinner Hoyo.
This is almost always true of Montecristo No.2 - a Torpedo with a
massive 52 ring foot.
A 38 x 152 Cohiba Corona Especial is unlikely to be a satisfactory
substitute for a Cohiba Siglo IV (Corona Extra, 46 x 143).
Intensity of taste:
The larger the ringsize, the fuller the taste. If you find the
taste of a cigar too strong, try a smaller ringsize in the same brand.
Chances are that the combination of filler, binder and wrapper will
give the same flavour - just less of it. But don't forget to smoke
more slowly or the cigar will burn too hot.
Ringsize and length:
A long cigar will offer more opportunity for the smoke to cool
and be "filtered" - the last few centimetres will usually have a really
strong taste. But the real relevance of length is that (combined with
the thickness) it determines the time it will take to smoke the cigar.
You'd choose a Churchill when you have a whole rugby match to
watch on TV?
Try a Corona Extra for a shorter programme.
It follows that you can only really compare different brands, by smoking
cigars of the same ringsize and length.To the true connoisseur,
the ringsize is the most important factor in selecting the size of
a cigar, though choice of ringsize may vary according to the mood
of the moment.This fortnight we feature
a pack of three great Cuban cigars, each having a different ringsize.
They all received four stars from Theo
Rudman. We quote his comments.
Corona Extra 46 x 143
Rafael Gonzalez: "High
quality tobacco, with distinctive honey flavours.
.............................. (This size is) probably (the) best (with) a strong following amongst
............................
. connoisseurs."
Petit Corona 42 x 129
Ramon Allones: "Ideal
for experienced smoker…. pronounced flavour …. favourite ................ ..............................among connoisseurs of full bodied cigars."
Panatella 32 x 152
La Gloria Cubana Medaille
D'Or No.4:
........................... "Old Havana brand, re-introduced 20-25 years
ago."
........................... "Soft floral aroma and flavour."
............................We say:
Draw gently to achieve a cool, mellow smoke, or draw in a little
............................air each time
Colin Wesley
You can read previous
articles from "Across the Counter" in The
Library.
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No 11 - March
29 ,
2001
"Filter"
pipes
Many years
ago there was a common pipe expression "the cheaper the pipe the more
elaborate the filter".
This was because the wood used for cheaper pipes was not as
carefully cured as it might have been. Good pipes were made from well-cured,
hard, dry, porous briar and needed no filter. Besides, in order to
create a 6mm bore in a vulcanite peg, the peg would have to be very
thick to be sufficiently strong, resulting in an overly thick shank.
The technical problems have now been overcome by the introduction
of flexible Teflon inserts capable of holding 6mm and 9mm filters.
But that is not the only reason that there is a demand is for
more and more filter pipes.
The pipe is a natural filter and moisture will condense from the smoke
and deposit in the shank and mouthpiece. Many smokers, especially
new smokers, secrete excessive saliva or use the very popular "Aromatic"
tobaccos which, due to the flavouring oils, have more moisture in
the smoke than the older natural blends. This can lead to a messy
pipe and the unpleasant smoke known as a "wet smoke".
The function, therefore, of today's "filters" is similar to that of
a sponge - to absorb moisture by mopping up excess juices, without
spoiling the taste.
These filters may be 6mm
or 9mm diameter - made of Balsa wood, or Paper rolls, or capsules
containing Meerschaum granules, Charcoal pellets, Crystal pieces -
all serving the same purpose, to remove moisture and provide a cool
dry smoke.
Some filter pipes are Savinelli Dry System (6mm), Savinelli
Classics (6mm), Rossi (6mm), Stanwell (9mm), Lorenzo (9mm), Capitol (6mm), Lorenzo Value Pipes (9mm)
WATCHPOINT
A
most important word of warning about filter
pipes:
Filter pipes must be smoked with either the filter or an adapter (usually supplied with the pipe).
Smoking without the filter (or adapter), even once, will allow moisture to condense in the empty space and seep into the shank, causing it to swell. This will result in a cracked shank, or a loose mouthpiece which is very difficult to remedy. If this happens to you, take it in to your nearest Wesley’s for an opinion.
The Tenon/Peg is tougher than the wood!
Keep it clean so it won’t stick. Wipe and pencil it occasionally so it slides easily. Have a look at the Gallery
Because of the metal band, Savinelli Dry System pipes are excluded
from this warning |
Our
current fortnightly feature offers you the opportunity to
try a Stanwell filter
pipe or to add another to your collection at a keen
price.
The
featured price includes a 50g packet of MacBaren
pipe tobacco
- a double Danish treat. |
Standard Pipes
If your pipe is a standard pipe, the bore through the shank will
be too narrow to accommodate a 6mm or 9mm filter. Use a bowl
filter -Denicool silica gel
crystals, or a clay Philtpad.
The small metal stem inserts often called "filters" cannot absorb
moisture. They can slow down and cool the smoke, and some moisture
will deposit on the insert and can be cleaned off with a tissue.
However, the prime function of these metal
arresters is to prevent small pieces of tobacco being drawn
into the mouthpiece, blocking it and causing a difficult draw. The
re-usable wire mesh Drikule
plug placed in the bottom of the bowl serves the same purpose.
These "bowl filters" allow you to smoke all the tobacco in
the bowl - no soggy "dottle" - no wastage. They can of course also
be used with a filter pipe.
Colin Wesley
You can read previous
articles from "Across the Counter" in The
Library.
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