Cigar Aficionados

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[nphocus]

Single cut guilitine?

Double cut guilitine?

V-Cut?

Bullet punch?  How in the hell do you use it?  Link to a video with a proper demonstration.  I will youtube.

I've done a bit of reading and have started to scratch the tip of the cigar world.  I've read a bit on cutting, toasting, and lighting.  I would like to hear how you guys go about preparing, lighting, and smoking a cigar.

I've made the mistake already of smoking too fast, after lifting, on an empty stomach.  Tonight, I waited until the end of my evening, before bedtime, after a full meal.  I toasted by match and lit with a wood stick.  I also let the cigar breath for several minutes on a wide holder after I lit it.  I twisted it as I lit it to get an even initial burn.

I have noticed that the flavor is very different between lighting it and tasting it and then letting it sit for a while and then tasting it again.  Much softer and smoother the second time around.  I did make the mistake of cutting the cigar WAY too far into the body with my freebie single cut guillotine.  I'll try to cut just the nub on the next one and make more successive cuts to improve the draw.

[Fredson Duff]

do you also subscribe to Grape Soda Aficionados?

[YOUR 15 MINUTES ARE UP.]

do you also subscribe to Grape Soda Aficionados?

lmbo hahahahahahahahahahah

[paully1976]

Single cut guilitine?

Double cut guilitine?

Triple cut spell check?

[NaTaS]

Single cut guilitine?

Double cut guilitine?

V-Cut?

Bullet punch?  How in the hell do you use it?  Link to a video with a proper demonstration.  I will youtube.

I've done a bit of reading and have started to scratch the tip of the cigar world.  I've read a bit on cutting, toasting, and lighting.  I would like to hear how you guys go about preparing, lighting, and smoking a cigar.

I've made the mistake already of smoking too fast, after lifting, on an empty stomach.  Tonight, I waited until the end of my evening, before bedtime, after a full meal.  I toasted by match and lit with a wood stick.  I also let the cigar breath for several minutes on a wide holder after I lit it.  I twisted it as I lit it to get an even initial burn.

I have noticed that the flavor is very different between lighting it and tasting it and then letting it sit for a while and then tasting it again.  Much softer and smoother the second time around.  I did make the mistake of cutting the cigar WAY too far into the body with my freebie single cut guillotine.  I'll try to cut just the nub on the next one and make more successive cuts to improve the draw.

I am certainly not an aficionado but I have been smoking cigars for a while so maybe I can help you.

Here is a good basics guide - http://www.cheaphumidors.com/cigarguide.pdf

As far as cutters go, it really all comes down to preference. Guillotines are probably the most common and once you get used to using them, are probably the most versatile. The biggest two issues are getting the depth of the cut right (as you noticed) and making sure you cut through quickly instead of slowly squeezing the cutter closed (crushing the cigar instead of cutting it cleanly). If I had to choose between types of guillotine cutters, I would go with a double. Basically the theory behind this type of cutter is that there is a blade on both sides of the cigar so it gets cut from both sides during the cut. With a single blade cutter, a blade cuts from one side while the other side is held in place by a solid surface. I guess this could cause the cigar to be pinched while cutting if the blade is dull or you cut too slowly. Again, I haven't seen all that much difference in the two cuts but if I had to choose one I would go with a double.

Punch and V-cut cutters I think are both easier to use than guillotines in some situations but I do not really care for them. Punch cutters are basically a circular blade with a hollow center. You just push/twist the blade into the end of the cigar and it cuts a round hole in the end of the cigar. V-cuts are guillotine cutters but instead of having a flat blade, it is shaped like a "V". It cuts a long thin opening in the  end of the cigar instead of cutting the entire end off. The reason I do not like these type of cutters is 1. I do not think they provide a big enough opening to get a good drag and 2. you can't really use them well on an cigars with tapered heads. Also, I have found that punch cutters sometimes "split" the head of the cigar a bit when you push them in. One nice thing about these types of cutters though is you get the same exact depth of cut every time. Also, an option for a v-cut type cutter is a "cat's eye" which creates a more round hole instead of the straight cut of a v-cut. This seems to provide a bit bigger hole for a better drag. I do keep a few punch cutters laying around in case I can't find anything else since they are small and cheap.

btw - I think you live in Richmond so a pretty good place to look at smokes is the Total Wine and More on Broad. They do not have people that know a lot about cigars like a full cigar shop but they actually have a pretty good selection and they have Cigar Aficionado ratings for a lot of the cigars. There are some pretty cheap sticks with high ratings that you can get for <$5. They might even have some grape flavors  .

[SilverFox]

As an avid cigar smoker, I prefer a punch over any cutter.  A punch gives you a consistent circular pattern each time, and preserves most of the cap so you avoid having the cigar innards bumping up against your lip, which can sometimes be unpleasant.  When you cut, you are really only supposed to cut like 1/16" off the cap anyway, unless you are smoking Torpedos or some kind of narrowed end.  Often you can cut too much and can mess with your smoke.  Since punches can vary in circumference, so don't use one that is too small a hole, since that can make keeping the cigar lit and drawing difficult.

Regarding lighting and smoking, you have to use a torch or a wooden match.  Never use a Bic type lighter or a cheap match since it can mess with your flavor.  Additionally, once you have the end fully lit, actually blow out through the cigar at least one time - supposedly it can help purge some of the unpleasantness that gets pulled through from the initial lighting.

If you are seriously getting into the hobby, Cigar Dave is a fun radio show and website that can help steer you in the right direction ( as long as you are not a commie-pinko who does not like a smokes, libations, and broads ) .  http://www.cigardave.com/

[SilverFox]

Let me add that if you buy mail-order, go to www.cigarsinternational.com. Great prices, great selection, great customer service.

[bhfsim]

I use a punch cause I always mess up with a guillotine. That being said I have never been able to keep one on my keychain, they ALWAYS fall apart.

Also important to not:: it's not safe to go onto YouTube to find any smoking tips, and you're smart not to. The reason is there seems to be a huge gay underground smoking culture. If you see a big guy with a beard, no shirt, smoking a cigar like Chaisey Lane smokes cock RUN. Here's some safe ones...



bullet punch, by rainman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDQBIQoJVYE&feature=youtube_gdata

quick overall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0yY6KKcrRY&feature=youtube_gdata

[nphocus]

Thank you all for the input.  I'll be reviewing it shortly.  I just found one of my old butane torches that I use to use to melt heatshrink when I was doing car audio - in car.  That seems to allow me to light much more evenly.  I also tried toasting and that contributed to a more even burn - initially.

I will post some pics of the stock I have on hand...  I will also check the video links and purchasing sights when I have some more time...  Damn school and death.  double damn death.

[nphocus]

My selection:

[nphocus]

I also picked up two humidor bags and a $5 double blade cutter.  Where I work at we get boxes on top of boxes of hand-rolled test samples of production cigars, preproduction, and sometimes simple test blends.  Sometimes they are simply rotating stock out of the walk in humidor and placing old or discontinued production runs out for grabs.  For the most part they are 50+mm and about 6 inches.  They are all hand rolled.  None of the premium lines are machine rolled.  Insofar as what the wrapper and filler leaves are, it's secret and not disclosed.  They don't even tell us what the nomenclature on the rings signifies.  We have several premium cigar brands under our corporate umbrella, dozens of snuffs, and one of the most popular products is essentially chew in a teabag - Snus.

One of those cigars is a Punch, which is my first.  I think I'm going to save that for after lunch tomorrow.

[donegalpunk]

Get yourself a couple of 150 size humidors. Make sure you follow the directions in how to season them and bring them up to proper humidity and stick to the gel cups--don't make a mess with water. Some people buy big furniture style units and then if there is a problem, they ruin their whole collection. 

[nphocus]

Get yourself a couple of 150 size humidors. Make sure you follow the directions in how to season them and bring them up to proper humidity and stick to the gel cups--don't make a mess with water. Some people buy big furniture style units and then if there is a problem, they ruin their whole collection. 

A couple?  300 cigars?  That's kinda nuts.  I have seen some coffee table humidors that I would like, but I don't think it would go over well with my under 6 brood.  It would be inconvenient having to start all over again if/when they got into it.  I mean, we've already done the sleepless nights and diaper changes.  I don't see me being able to convince my wife to do it again.

[nphocus]

Let me add that if you buy mail-order, go to www.cigarsinternational.com. Great prices, great selection, great customer service.

We bought them a few years ago.  They're based out of PA.  I'm glad to hear that you like the website and the service.

[donegalpunk]

Get yourself a couple of 150 size humidors. Make sure you follow the directions in how to season them and bring them up to proper humidity and stick to the gel cups--don't make a mess with water. Some people buy big furniture style units and then if there is a problem, they ruin their whole collection. 

A couple?  300 cigars?  That's kinda nuts.  I have seen some coffee table humidors that I would like, but I don't think it would go over well with my under 6 brood.  It would be inconvenient having to start all over again if/when they got into it.  I mean, we've already done the sleepless nights and diaper changes.  I don't see me being able to convince my wife to do it again.

no, dude. the humidors that hold 150 cigars are not that large. Pretty small when you start putting sticks in them, actually. You have to have a variety and when you do, you better have a place to put them. Unless your going to be the guy who shows up with old cigar, trying to pass them off as fresh.

By the way, I thought you worked for the federales?