Cigars – Smoking for Pleasure
Neatly put, but not necessarily plain sailing from the first puff to the relaxed poise of a seasoned Cigar smoker.
As with many other pastimes or hobbies it will take time, effort and education to reach the deserved level of appreciation, to experience the full enjoyment of smoking a cigar.
The fact that smoking cigars appeals to four of our five senses - sight, feel, taste and smell - complicates the journey. A poor performance from one of these senses could easily spoil the whole experience.
These mishaps, or errors of judgement, we call “snares” in the path to reach our goal of full enjoyment of cigars.
Some of these cigar snares will have been experienced from the first days of Cigar Smoking more than 500 years ago. Thank goodness the pioneers put up with them and soldiered on.
In August/September 2013 we ran a three-part series of blogs trying to cover the “When, Why and How” such snares can be experienced when smoking a cigar. Initially in the selection, preparation, execution of cutting and lighting up, and then taking the first few puffs.
Some of these areas have recently been covered in the blogs in the sub-section “Starting to Smoke Cigars”
We now need to go a little further down the road to see what kind of snares our Newby could expect to overcome.
Rather than reinventing the wheel we will go back to 2013, blog 316, and check that the problems we covered then would still apply today.
The straight answer is simple.
Cigar snares often stem from poor personal decisions or technique which can be rectified through experience.
(Except for the uneven burn which might be from poor “bunching” of the filler leaves by the Roller.)
Here are the questions we covered back in 2013 which may often become a “snare” for any new cigar smoker. They may also be a reminder to those who have “been there” and now really enjoy their cigars.
“Sometimes I feel dizzy or even nauseous” - There are a couple of possible reasons:
• Did you choose the right size cigar? If the cigar is too big to finish in the time available – you may be “finished” before the cigar is. A Robusto needs at least 40 minutes to enjoy to the full.
You only have 25 minutes? Rather choose a Half Corona or a Petit Robusto. Such cigars are blended to offer full satisfaction in a more limited time.
• Did you choose the right cigar for the occasion? A rich cigar on an empty stomach is almost a recipe for disaster. Before your meal select a lighter short-filler cigar or smaller Cuban cigarillo. Save the big, rich cigar for afterwards, as you would a liqueur.
“I can’t keep the cigar burning, it keeps going out!”
Not to worry, it happens because premium cigars don’t have any chemicals to encourage burning. To keep it alight, combustion needs a steady supply of oxygen – regular easy puffing is the answer. And the smoke will be cooler and richer, affording more enjoyment.
If it goes out, tap off the loose ash, blow through to expel stale smoke and re-light.
“The smoke is hot.”
Maybe you are drawing too hard, puffing too fast, quite often because you’re concerned about keeping it alight (see above). However, this has the same effect as bellows on a fire – resulting in very increased heat levels.
“I get a bitter taste.”
If this happens at the very first few puffs, it could be a bad taste from a charred foot due to careless lighting up (see below).
If the bitter taste occurs towards the end of the cigar – it is the end! It is a sign that you should put the cigar down and allow it to fade out with dignity, no stubbing please.
“My cigars often burn unevenly.” This is often the result of careless lighting up.
When lighting, hold the foot of the cigar above NOT IN the flame. You are not trying to braai chops!
As the oils evaporate, the foot will ignite spontaneously at a lower temperature without spoiling the delicate taste of the first few puffs.
Rotate the cigar above the flame and look to see whether it is igniting evenly. Maybe pay a little extra attention to parts that are reluctant to catch.
Only when the whole foot is glowing evenly (more-or-less), draw gently, and then check again.
When you, and the cigar, are comfortable, you can sit back and relax, and watch the ash grow.
“OK, this is obviously important – go over it again, what should I use to light my cigars?”
Briefly, this can depend on where you are, especially the weather conditions!
• A quiet setting: Cigar matches or a gentle butane flame would be perfect. If you don’t have extra thick matches, maybe use two at a time. A spill of cedarwood makes a good taper.
• At a braai, in the bush, or in the Cape breeze: Something a little stronger may be called for – a Turbo is the answer.
The turbo is akin to a blow torch and should be treated with the same respect. You don’t want to burn a hole in the middle of the foot of your cigar!
The two- three- or four-jet models offer a broader flame, but you should test for the optimum distance by looking at the flame. It is bright blue at the hottest, lighter a bit higher up. When it starts to disappear – that’s where you should hold your cigar. (Beware - you can still burn your hand at this height. I did!)
Watchpoint: Turbo mechanisms require extra-purified gas. Dunhill gas is highly refined, pure, turbo-compatible butane gas. This ensures that valves are less likely to clog and malfunction, and the anti-corrosive properties protect all metal parts, thus considerably extending the life of all lighters.
Here are some lighting options:
Three Star Matches 78-StarCigar R20.00
Soft Flame Piezo 55-EJ061, 55-EJ062 R190.00
Zippo Turbo Inserts 55-Z65826 Single Torch R350.00
55-Z65827 Double Torch R399.50
New! Quad Jet Cigar Lighters 55-EJ052, 55-EJ054 R495.00
And from September 23, 2021 the price will be even better:
You will pay less 25% on all these options
But for two weeks only – offer expires October 6 |
A good time to invest in a good cigar lighter, but remember – ABOVE NOT IN!!
Next month we’ll look at more “cigar snares - things that might go wrong”.
Colin Wesley
No.502 September 16 - 29, 2021
All previous blogs are archived in the Library, by date and by subject.
A visit will allow you to choose from any of the more than 400 blogs to read or re-read at your leisure.
Note:
By law, no South African citizen, living in South Africa can buy a tobacco product via the internet or postal system. In fact, you may not receive a tobacco product through the post.
In addition we may not receive payment through the internet for tobacco products.
We may only supply tobacco products within the trade – not to private individuals. The fine is substantial
Contact us for help in getting tobacco to your area.
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(ZAR)
