General Archives - Cigar Life Guy

6 Cigar Lounge Pet Peeves to Avoid

Posted on February 14, 2024 by Staff

The behavior of fellow patrons has peeved any regular cigar lounge goer at some time in their smoking career. Some of these things are so basic they often aren’t uttered aloud but are understood. Some folks need to catch up on the basics, so we’re writing them down. What are a few common cigar lounge pet peeves? Read on to see if you can relate to any of these. More importantly, if you’re new to the cigar scene, know what kind of behavior to avoid if you want to make a good impression.

Six Cigar Lounge Pet Peeves to Avoid

Curious about which pet peeves rank at the top of our list? Without further ado, here they are, compiled for your reading pleasure.

No Shoes

No matter how nice your socks are, please leave your shoes on in the cigar lounge for the love of all things holy. You aren’t at home. You are out at a public establishment. Wearing shoes — and socks — should be common sense, but enough people take shoes off that it is worth noting. Also, do you know how many establishments have signs that read: No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service? Also, some municipalities have statutory requirements for patrons to wear shoes. There isn’t some exemption for cigar smokers who wear shoes into the lounge that allows them to remove them. You have to keep the shoes on. You take your shoes off on the (commercial) airplane? Don’t do that either.

No Belt

Nobody wants to see your ass or your underwear. Wear a belt if an elastic waistband doesn’t keep your pants at your waist. Sidenote to newer, younger smokers: you are doing your best to “fit in” — the most counterproductive way to do that is to literally “show your ass” by not keeping your pants at your waist.

No Headphones

Nobody else should be subjected to both sides of your phone conversations and listen to whatever random videos you watch on YouTube or social media. Get a pair of headphones. If you make calls, even with headphones, be mindful of your noise level and consider moving briefly to make your call if appropriate.

Being a Cheapskate

Spend some money on something. Other articles delve more deeply into what’s appropriate or not regarding bringing your cigars to the cigar lounge. While we can also appreciate the importance of frugality, being “too cheap, too unwilling to spend money” in a cigar lounge is sure to spark pet peeves among regular patrons. The bottom line is to buy something and tip your server or bartender for the service they provide. This place does not run itself for free. And yes, the staff does talk amongst themselves and other patrons about cheapskates.

Political and Religious Talk

Have situational awareness of how you interact or converse with other patrons. Simply put, read the room and know your audience. If the place is relatively quiet, the rest of the lounge shouldn’t hear constant belly laughing, loud noise, yelling, or table slapping from your table. Conversely, if the overall noise in the lounge is higher, making a little more noise yourself is acceptable. As for conversation topics, stick to friendly topics. Smoking cigars should be relaxing. Most people aren’t looking for a political or religious debate. Avoid these topics unless you know the person you’re speaking to.

Wearing Fragrance

Fragrance of any form can interfere with a smoker’s overall enjoyment of a cigar and often tops the list of pet peeves for many cigar aficionados. Here’s why.

Some scents, like soap or deodorant, are challenging to eliminate and are generally acceptable. However, avoid heavy scents like cologne or perfume, which can overpower those around you or trigger allergies for others.

Even if scents or aromas don’t negatively impact you personally, respect for your fellow smoker in a social situation like a lounge dictates that you refrain from heavy fragrances. One of the best ways to draw attention to yourself as a “rookie” or “clueless” smoker is to show up smelling like a bottle of cologne. On the other hand, if you’re at your own home and want to drown yourself in odor and knock yourself out, you can even take off your shoes and forgo the belt.

The Final Word on Pet Peeves

Adapting to cigar lounge etiquette is necessary to promote peace, harmony, and balance for all cigar enthusiasts. Avoiding the above primary pet peeves will create a more enjoyable cigar lounge experience.

Photo Credit: Cigar Life Guy

Cigar Humidifier: Humidification Options for Cigars

Posted on January 6, 2023 by Staff

An experienced cigar smoker knows that storing cigars requires little maintenance. For example, you should keep your cigars under particular conditions to ensure they taste the way they should. Preserving cigars between 68-70% humidity and 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit is optimal. Sixty-eight to seventy-two degrees Fahrenheit is the sweet spot for both moisture and temperature, which is why a cigar humidifier is essential.

We recommend investing in a home humidor if you buy cigars by the box or in bulk rather than a few sticks at a time. Most of these options will also work if you are a casual smoker and must preserve three or four cigars. Have a look at the many ways to humidify your cigars properly.

Cigar Humidifier: Why Cigars Need Humidity

Cigars are agricultural products; Like produce, they won’t taste right (or smoke right) without the proper care. The tobacco in your Robusto is grown in a tropical climate with high humidity and warm temperatures. The leaves dry during the curing process, but cigar makers reintroduce moisture during fermenting and aging.

Many newbies erroneously think cigars store well in the refrigerator or the freezer. But, unfortunately, cold temperatures can’t retain humidity.

Without humidity, cigars become brittle, and the exterior wrapper cracks. Too much moisture can also cause problems. Like the walls in a dank basement, cigars can grow mold. Soggy cigars are challenging to light and burn unevenly.

Whether too damp or too dry, improper humidification affects the taste of your cigar. Keep cigars out of extremes, and remember that 68-72 is optimal.

Cigar Humidifier: Products to Improve Humidity

Most humidors come with a “sponge.” However, these are typically the floral foam variety. Humidification systems have evolved and improved in recent years. If you want to upgrade your cigar humidifier or stash a few sticks inside a Tupperware or Ziplock, these products will help maintain the proper humidity.

Note: It’s crucial to use distilled water or propylene glycol when using these products or refilling a humidor sponge. Tap water contains chlorine and other impurities that can create mold.

Boveda Pouches

These pouches provide humidity using a “2- Way Control” system that adds and removes moisture. Made from natural salts and water, they are leakproof and offer a wide range of humidity levels (from 58-84% relative humidity or Rh).

Whether seasoning a humidor, adding extra moisture during the colder months, or traveling with a few sticks, Boveda pouches are easy and safe. First, remove the exterior packaging and toss the brown bag wherever you store your cigars. Depending on the surrounding environment and the quality of the container’s seal, Boveda bags can last anywhere from a few weeks to a year.

Boveda won’t advertise it, but you can always reuse the pouches. Submerge the bag in distilled water for a day and allow it to dry.

Cigar Humidifier Crystals

These polymer crystals are incredibly absorbent and, once activated with distilled water or propylene glycol, expand to hold up to 100 times their weight in moisture. Xikar makes several varieties.

The puck-shaped humidifiers are magnetized and a nice upgrade for the standard units with humidors. XiKar also makes a larger rectangular-shaped unit.

Crystals also come in jars and tubes. These are often already activated, so it is as simple as dropping them in your humidor or wherever you store cigars. Crystals provide a consistent 70% Rh but do require a bit of monitoring and maintenance.

The crystals will become noticeably smaller as they lose moisture. Refresh the crystals with the recommended mixture of distilled water or propylene glycol.

Longevity will depend on your environment. Colder, dryer weather will require more refilling, but crystals produce humidity anywhere from 1 to three months. The units can last up to six years if adequately maintained with moisture.

Heartfelt Beads

These beads work on the same principle as crystals. Spritz them with distilled water, and they will regulate the humidity in your humidor. They come in tubes or mesh bags.

Unorthodox Methods Humidification Methods

Some guys swear by kitty litter. We wouldn’t recommend it because the options above are inexpensive and designed for cigars. However, if desperate times call for desperate measures, ensure the litter is fragrance-free and add distilled water.

What To Do If You Don’t Have a Humidor

A tried and true, but the last-ditch solution is to use damp paper towels in a Ziploc bag or Tupperware. Just be sure to wring out the paper towel and only store sticks wrapped in cellophane. But, of course, you don’t want to place your cigars on a wet paper towel.

Monitoring Your Cigar Humidifier

Invest in a humidor if you’re investing time, care, and money into smoking premium cigars. Even small travel-sized humidors will come with humidifiers. They can hold anywhere from 2 to 10 or more cigars. But, of course, a traditional cedar-lined box is the best option.

They come with cigar humidifiers and hygrometers designed to seal in the humidity. In addition, all humidification products promise an exacting Rh level.

As you become familiar with the feel and taste of your cigars, you’ll know when to add humidity or let your cigars dry out a bit. However, having storage with a digital or analog hygrometer that provides an accurate Rh reading removes the guesswork. You’ll know when it’s time to add a Boveda pouch or refresh that crystal jar.

Photo credit: Cigar Life Guy

How To Become A Certified Tobacconist

Posted on July 4, 2022 by Staff

An increase in fine dining gave rise to the wine sommelier — experts who spend years training and tasting. The sommelier’s authoritative knowledge of taste profiles and provenance is well-known around the world. , and wine lovers rely on their expertise to pair vintage wines with meals. However, wine is not the only luxury industry that employs skilled professionals. In recent years, the cigar industry has encouraged its own version of the sommelier — the tobacconist.

Just as fine wines are cultivated in different regions and from different varieties of grapes, premium cigars also are grown in different regions and from a variety of tobacco leaves. The boom in the 1990s created an influx of boutique lines, aged tobaccos, and unique blends. As the legitimacy of the cigar industry grew, the necessity for experts increased, especially in the service industries. Whether you’re new to the cigar world or looking to brush up on your knowledge, there are educational programs designed for everyone. Here is everything you need to know about becoming a cigar authority.

A Need for Knowledgeable Employees

If you are an experienced smoker, you more than likely buy your sticks at a local cigar shop. Seasoned retailers and their employees are knowledgeable smokers. Most have traveled to Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican and seen the production and construction of cigars up close. Like the wine sommelier, they are specialists. Their primary business is fine cigars. However, the increasing popularity of the cigar lifestyle has seen cigars offered at a variety of venues, including hotels, casinos, and restaurants. Naturally, the need to train employees in the world of premium cigars is necessary if they are to do justice to the industry.

The cigar industry continues to attract more smokers and expand to more venues. Classes and certification programs are relatively new, but there are several schools and online courses that provide an education on top-shelf cigars.

Like wine, premium cigars are a luxury item and they are curated from age-old techniques. Understanding the delicate construction of cigars, the variety of exterior wrappers, and the way shape affects how they smoke are part of the cigar curriculum. From understanding how tobacco leaves grow to the art of rolling, and of course, understanding the variety of tastes and flavor profiles, knowing the basics is essential for hobbyists and professionals alike.

Tobacconist Certification

Tobacconist University and the International Association of Cigar Sommeliers give the art of cigar-making and cigar lifestyle the credibility it deserves. They provide coursework and certifications for amateurs and aficionados.

Tobacconist University offers several classifications to choose from.

If you’re a novice or even a seasoned veteran cigar smoker, Tobacconist University offers the nonprofessional certification: Certified Consumer Tobacconist. The CCT certification caters to the average enthusiast who wants to brush up or expand on their knowledge cigars.

The Certified Retail Tobacconist certification is for employees of retail shops. The coursework entails all things cigar-related, from cutting and lighting to cigar shapes and etiquette. A CRT certification provides the basic credentials for working in cigar retail.

There’s also the Certified Cigar Sommelier Tobacconist course. It tailors to the hospitality industries, like golf courses, casinos, and hotels. The CCST certification is limited to participating companies but provides a thorough cigar education, focusing on the fundamentals, food and drink pairings, and enhancing the overall appreciation of cigar life.

If you’re looking to break into the industry as a sales representative, then the Certified Salesforce Tobacconist program might be the best choice. The CST certification is best for those who work in cigar sales, directly or indirectly. These are usually folks who often perform work for a specific brand or company.

Finally, the Certified Master Tobacconist is the highest level of achievement you can attain. The program is open to you if you already hold a CCT or CCST certification. Furthermore, it requires hours of working with cigar makers and retailers, so you can’t just sign up for it without first meeting the prerequisites.

All certifications require you to pass an exam. You also must uphold the Tobacconist University standards and ethics, and maintain the integrity of the industry. As a certified tobacconist, you are an ambassador of the cigar lifestyle.

Teaching Yourself

Cramming for a final exam on premium cigars is probably the most enjoyable test you’ll ever prepare for. Yet, if you don’t have the time, you can learn a lot on your own. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. A cigar sommelier may sit next to you at your local lounge. An experienced smoker knows the ins and outs of cigar life.

You can also taste around. Keep a smoke journal and catalog the cigars you try. Notice the delicate construction of figurado. Consider the distinct flavor profiles of the next Sun Grown or Maduro you smoke. Remember, the best part of a cigar education is sampling the coursework.

Photo credit: Cigar Life Guy

Prevent Cigar Mold From Ruining Your Stash

Posted on December 15, 2021 by Staff

If you’ve spent any time amassing a collection of cigars in your humidor, the thought of cigar mold has undoubtedly crossed your mind, and rightfully so. As cigar smokers know, there are few scenarios more terrifying than an entire stash of expensive smokes ruined by the forces of nature, leaving the owner of the furry mess devastated — not to mention smokeless.

As critical a facet of the hobby as it is, cigar mold is one of the more ambiguous topics in the realm of the homegrown tobacco enthusiast, which may have something to do with the cornucopia of opinions that the subject conjures. A cursory search through any cigar forum will illustrate that it is a topic wrought with confusion and debate.

In this article, we’ll look at common talking points surrounding the matter — the causes of mold and how one should avoid it. Finally, we’ll ponder the toxicity of cigar mold and the potential for saving a moldy cigar.

What is Cigar Mold?

As the ‘A students’ will have probably guessed by now, cigar mold is a fungus that grows on cigars subjected to specific environmental conditions. But, if we’re getting technical, mold is more of a catch-all for the wide varieties of fungi that thrive in the oxygen-rich, moist home that a subpar approach to humidor husbandry can inadvertently provide.

Candida parapsilosis and Penicillium ascomycetous are two common fungal names provided by a cigar mold study performed by an Australian biotech laboratory. Cigar mold feeds on natural sugars secreted from the tobacco leaves. It can appear in many colors — white, red, green, blue, or yellow. The fungi reproduce at an alarming rate, sending millions of airborne spores to dance the Maduro mambo all over your precious cargo, so vigilance is vital.

How to Prevent Cigar Mold

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure; that’s how the argument goes, anyway. And there’s no exception when we’re talking about cigar mold. Avoid the avoidable. Whether your cigar stash is worth a couple of hundred dollars or several thousand, a quality collection is an investment. Nobody wants to toss their investment in the garbage over something easily avoidable. Attention to detail in the following categories will pay dividends and help you save your smokes.

Prevent Mold with Digital Humidity Control

Number one on the list is — you guessed it — humidity. An adequately controlled humidity level is critical to preventing cigar mold from growing inside your humidor. Of course, this assumes that you’ve invested in a quality humidor and taken the time to season it.

To avoid moldy cigars, carefully maintain your humidor between 65% and 70% relative humidity. The most precise way to do this is to use a digital hygrometer. Think precision — while an analog hygrometer might suffice in the early stages of a collector’s journey, there’s just no comparison to the accuracy of its digital successor. They’re also pretty inexpensive, ya cheap-o.

You Used What in Your Humidor?

When you’re in a pinch, it might seem tempting to use tap or bottled water in our humidity reservoirs. Yet, you may be pouring that water over the cigars themselves. Using these liquids is equivalent to setting up a tiny neon vacancy sign for mold. The mold spores might already live in the water. Alternatively, distilled water or propylene glycol significantly reduces cigar mold risk in your humidor. Humidity pouches also make a convenient alternative if you’re looking for a little plug-and-play action. The best part is you don’t need to refill them.

Know Your Cigar Source

Would you allow someone you didn’t know to enter your home, roll on your bed, make a sandwich, or take the Cadillac for a spin? Of course not! Try to think of your humidor similarly. Limit your suppliers to trustworthy vendors to minimize the risk of introducing mold into your stable of healthy sticks. You might find killer deals from poorly established, less-than-reputable online sources. But, ask yourself, is it worth the potential of contaminating your entire collection with even one contaminated cigar?

Is Cigar Mold Dangerous?

To address mold dangers precisely, you need to know what mold is growing on your cigar. Many of the molds that we encounter are harmless. But, many are nothing more than an aesthetically unpleasant nuisance. Unsurprisingly, there are also no shortages of toxic mold variants waiting to do lasting damage. So, how do you know the difference?

Ask any cigar aficionado, and you’ll likely hear different opinions. However, the general rule is if it’s white, brush it off and smoke away. However, if it’s blue or green, toss the stick.

For many, any mold on the foot of the cigar is the point of no return; this also shows that the cigar mold has gone deeper than the wrapper. Ultimately, it boils down to a subjective risk assessment. However, an important point to consider is the mitigations to avoid humans ingesting mold within the confines of a home or a building.

Can You Save Your Cigar?

Remove the contaminated sticks from the humidor if you plan on salvaging and smoking a moldy cigar. Then inspect your remaining cigars like a hungry Capuchin monkey looking for fleas. Remember, cigar mold spreads quickly. So quarantine your contaminated smokes fast to prevent more significant problems later.

You can then brush the mold from the cigar with a soft paintbrush, taking care not to damage the wrapper. If the mold brushes right off, you’re in the clear. If it doesn’t, you can dip a Q-Tip in some 151-proof rum or the like and spot-treat the stick like a civil war field surgeon. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the taste of victory over nature.

Photo credit: Unsplash | Sandy Millar

Maduro Cigars: Deep, Dark, and Delicious

Posted on October 29, 2021 by Staff

Cigars usually come in one of two classifications of wrappers: Natural wrappers or Maduro wrappers. Natural wrappers range in color from light yellow Connecticut Shade to brown Habano. Maduro cigar wrappers vary from dark browns to black. There also is a green leaf variety of wrappers with Candela-wrapped cigars, but these are rarer. Maduro cigars can be a little confusing, as the term refers to the color of a wrapper leaf. Mostly, this refers to the fermentation process of making the Maduro wrappers.

The Maduro Fermentation Process

The fermentation process is how Maduro cigars get their dark, rich colors and slick sheen and their sweeter, deeper, and more robust flavor notes such as dark cocoa, molasses, and black pepper. Maduro leaves come from the top of the tobacco plant, where they’re heartier and thicker. These top leaves get more time and sun, allowing photosynthesis to create more sugars and natural oils to build up and more protection against harsh sun rays. After the leaves are harvested and air-cured, they are stacked into large piles to ferment.

The fermentation time is longer than natural wrapper leaves. A longer fermentation time translates to the darker color. The spices in the Maduro wrapper also round out. They develop into a more mellow flavor. This is how Maduro gets its name, which means “Ripen” or “Mature.” Oscuro is another term used for Maduro cigars. They are closer to black, like La Flor Dominicana’s Colorado Oscuro No. 5.

Maduro cigar leaves also are fermented under more intense heat than other wrappers. Temperatures reach up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit as organic decomposition transforms starches in the leaves into sugars. This is also because of the weight of the large piles being fermented. Sometimes, manufacturers add more weight to the stacks to press the leaves tighter. Once the fermenting piles reach the correct internal temperature, blenders shuffle around the bundles, ensuring the leaves are fermenting evenly. High temperatures also contribute to caramelization of the sugars in the leaf. This creates dark wrapper leaves and eliminates more ammonia for smoother and milder tastes.

Maduro Cigars Leaf Growing Regions

Typically, Maduro cigars come from U.S. Connecticut Broadleaf, Mexican San Andres Negro, or Brazilian Mata Fina and Arapiraca tobacco varietals. Connecticut Broadleaf is the most common leaf used for Maduro cigars. They originated in the United States’ Connecticut River Valley and have broad leaves that turn dark brown or black. You can find Connecticut Broadleaf on the wrappers of Diamond Crown No. 3, Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust Mi Querida cigars.

San Andres Negro comes from the San Andres Valley of Mexico near the gulf. Their tough leaves make them prime candidates for the intense fermentation process to create a Maduro wrapper. They were primarily associated with Te-Amo brand cigars in the 1970s, but now Drew Estate uses San Andres Negro in their Undercrown Maduro blends.

Brazil grows its Maduro wrappers in the Bahia region off the Atlantic coast. Mata Fina, meaning “Thin Forest,” has three types coming from different areas: Mata Sul, Mata Norte, and Mata Sao Goncalo. Each has different microclimates they grow in and different taste characteristics. Brazil also has Arapiraca tobacco leaves which are thicker than Mata Fina but have a milder flavor. Micallef Grande Bold Mata Fina is one cigar that uses a Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper.

Top Myths for Maduro Cigars

The darkness of a Maduro-wrapped cigar doesn’t equate to the strength of the smoke. Some cigar smokers believe that all Maduro cigars have a more pungent flavor or have higher nicotine content, but that is a myth. Since Maduro wrappers are aged for an extended period and under higher heat, the taste is sweeter thanks to the higher sugar content. The additional time allowed for them to mature gives these leaves a mellower flavor as well. The aging time doesn’t add nicotine content or make cigars more potent. As Maduro cigars age longer in a humidor, the flavors marry more. The oils also move more toward the surface, creating a rich and complex smoke.

Pairings and Conclusion

Dark beer makes a good pairing with Maduro cigars. Hearty dishes like seared steak and baked potatoes, or anything rich and fatty, complement the taste of dark Maduros. Dark rum, Scotch whiskey, and dark red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot go well with Oscuro sticks.

Whether you’re new to the cigar hobby or are a seasoned cigar aficionado, Maduro cigars are worth a consideration. The care that goes into the aging process ensures rich aromas and deep flavors and the process to make these glistening wrappers requires time to develop their dark colors. So, cigar smokers should spend more time with these artisanal delights.

Photo credit: Cigar Life Guy

How to Cleanse Your Palate Before Smoking Cigars

Posted on September 20, 2021 by Staff

Have you ever had your favorite cigar and enjoyed the nuanced tasting notes only to have it taste completely different or even bland the next time you try it? Perhaps the aroma has changed and something seems off about your smoke. You may be the victim of palate or olfactory fatigue! To get the fullest flavor out of your premium hand rolled cigar, cleanse your palate so the flavors of the smoke roll over your taste buds and waft through your nose. What you eat, drink, and smell from the environment you’re smoking in can affect the nuances of your cigar to some degree.

The Science About Taste and Smell

The human tongue is made out of receptors we call taste buds which look like small bumps. These bumps contain papillae that are specifically shaped to receive only certain structures. Think of them as shaped containers that can only contain one shape. If a container can only hold a square object, then a circular object will not fit in. When the papillae acclimate to a specific structure they send a signal to your brain telling it something is sweet, sour, salty, bitter, or savory (or umami). With all of these combined, we receive the signal of what the brain perceives as flavor.

In addition to that, when you chew food or, in our case, smoke a cigar, these structures also travel their way up to your olfactory sensors in the uppermost part of your nose. These sensors also send signals to your brain and when mixed with the signals from your taste buds they tell the brain what flavor you’re experiencing.

So whether you get cocoa notes while smoking a maduro or sweet cream notes from a Connecticut your taste buds and olfactory sensors are receiving certain structures and telling your brain the closest thing akin with which you’re most familiar.

Taste, Smell and Smoking Cigars

If you’re smoking the same cigar day after day or even different cigars one after another your sense of taste and smell can become overloaded. Tasting similar things over and over again may cause your brain to become dull to the signals your tongue or nose are sending.

For example: if you burn toast you will smell it immediately and your brain will tell you something is burning. After throwing the toast in the trash, the smell will linger but after a while your brain will forget or block out the signals that say something is burning. If you leave the room and come back, the smell of bad cooking will be fresh in your mind.

Thankfully, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you freshen your palate and experience your favorite cigars as if you were experiencing them for the first time.

Cleanse Your Palate and Taste Buds

Water

Room temperature water helps hydrate and refresh your taste buds. If you drink cold water, it will shrink your receptors and impede the papillae from grabbing on to flavor particulates. The more they can grab, the more intense the flavor.

Sparkling Water

Not only does sparkling water help to hydrate your mouth, the carbonation can stimulate the tongue, allowing your taste buds to get ready to receive more flavors.

Coffee

The acidity in coffee helps cut through flavors lingering in the mouth. Black coffee is best as cream or milk can coat the tongue in fats that can mess with what you’re tasting in your smoke. The bitterness in coffee can also help contrast certain flavor notes. Sometimes a brew can overlap with the coffee notes in cigars and highlight other flavors like cocoa or caramel. The aroma of coffee can also clear out your olfactory senses. You will often find coffee beans in a jar at cologne stores to help freshen your sense of smell.

Tea

Much like tobacco, tea leaves are grown in similar conditions and left to dry and age like cigars. It’s the same with coffee. The acidity improves your ability to taste cigars. Try pairing the color of your tea with the color of your cigar wrapper. The two complement each other’s taste. If you’re smoking a bold maduro, go for some black tea. A fun combination to try is light green tea with candelas. Again, the smell of tea can freshen the old sniffer right up.

Citrus

Similar to coffee and tea, drinks with lemon or lime help freshen your taste buds. Citrus preps your taste buds to take in more flavors. You can also add a slice of lemon or lime to your water, sparkling water, or tea. This improves the palate cleansing power.

Ginger

That pile of pink pickled ginger on your sushi plate isn’t just for show. Eating pickled ginger in between bites of your nigiri washes the palate. It prepares your tongue to taste the subtleties of the fish you’re eating. If eating pickled anything sounds gross while smoking, try ginger ale or ginger beer instead. The spiciness can complement the pepper notes in a Habano wrapped cigar.

Sparkling Coffee

Apparently, mixing espresso or coffee with sparkling mineral water is a thing. Is it a good thing? That’s subjective. However, it makes for an interesting experience when puffing on a good cigar. The fizzy acidity works wonders on the taste buds. Again, the aroma of coffee helps with the ol’ olfactory sensors. Speaking of which…

Cleanse Your Palate and Olfactory Senses

Eighty percent of taste is mostly what we smell. Something that comes to mind is retrohaling. Retrohaling is when you take a puff and let it roll around your mouth for about 10 seconds. Then, you blow it out through your nose. When you retrohale, you find different aromas that aren’t as pronounced on the tongue. Here are two sure fire ways to cleanse your nostrils of stagnant smoke that aren’t already mentioned above.

Cleanse Your Palate with Fresh air

If you’re in a lounge or a smoking den, no matter how well ventilated it is, the scent of cigars will still linger in the air. This can be especially true with flavored or infused cigars. Remember when you burnt your toast earlier? It’s the same idea. Simply get up and get a little breather outside. Getting some fresh air resets your brain from the constant stimulation it’s getting when sitting in a room.

Cleanse Your Palate with Your Own Skin

Another easy way to refresh your olfactory sensors is to smell your own skin, but only if you’re not wearing cologne. If you’re in a lounge or smoking in a room you shouldn’t smell of cologne anyway as the scents can horribly affect your cigar experience as well as others who are present. Don’t be “that guy”. This is another good way to ruin your cigar experience. If you’re not that guy, smelling the crook of your elbow or the skin on your arm provides your brain with what it’s already familiar with: your own scent.

Cleansing Your Palate When All Else Fails…

If you’ve tried everything and your cigars taste bland, then your palate may be burnt out. To help repair your senses, eat bland tasting foods for a week or two. Unsalted water crackers are good for this and, for this reason, many often pair them with cheese and wine. Plain oatmeal or whole grain bread also helps your taste buds refresh. Plus, you should be eating these anyway as they’re good for you and heart healthy.

If your sticks are starting to taste samey samey, these tips and tricks will help out. Your tongue and nose will thank you and those cigars will taste better with a cleansed palate. Try some of these methods before smoking your after-dinner cigar! Protip: if you ate something fatty, like a good steak, try to order a lemon sorbet if you can. It’s a good dessert as well as a good palate cleanser.

Photo credit: Unsplash

How to Cut a Cigar Without a Cigar Cutter

Posted on September 13, 2021 by Staff

It’s a beautiful day outside and you’re enjoying yourself. The sun is shining. There’s a slight breeze in the air, and you think to yourself, “Wow, what a perfect time for a cigar!” You pull out the cigar that has been waiting for you to light it at this very moment. You grab your cigar poker to loosen the tobacco, but disaster strikes. You realize that you left your cigar cutter at home! If this has ever happened to you, then fear not. Thankfully, there is more than one way to cut a cigar. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, we’re going to teach you how to cut a cigar and turn this rough situation into a win.

How to Cut a Cigar Using your teeth

Back in the day, good cigar cutters were a luxury. Many cigar-smoking veterans have developed the tried-and-true method of clipping their cigars with their teeth. While this takes practice and experience to get right, it is still one of the most effective ways to clip your cigar in a pinch.

While holding your cigar, place the cap of the cigar between your front teeth. Start by slowly bringing your teeth together like a good cigar cutter. This helps break through the cap. Then, bite swiftly to cut the rest of the way through. Take care, though. You don’t want to bite off too much of the cigar.

How to Cut a Cigar Using a Knife

If you’re the type of individual who carries around a pocketknife, then it’s your time to shine. Before cutting, sharpen your blade. Remember, you want your blade to slice through the tobacco, not tear it. A dull blade can deal more damage to a premium cigar than anything else.

Upon pulling out your cigar, place your blade about 1/12 of an inch from the top of the cap. Now slowly rotate your cigar in the direction of the wrapper until you have completed a circular slice the entire way around the cigar. If you’ve done this correctly, the cap should pop off on its own. If the cap has not yet come off, then try to find a flat surface you can set your cigar on. If you can’t find a flat surface, make sure to hold the cigar firmly. Place your blade within the cut you have just made and quickly press the blade through your cut.

Punch a Hole

When you use your teeth or a knife to cut a cigar, you always run the risk of cracking the outer layer of tobacco. If your cigar is too precious to take those kinds of risks, then your next best option is punching a hole in the cap. Punching a hole in the cap allows you to smoke the cigar without completely removing the cap. The only thing you have to worry about is making sure you get the correct airflow.

First, find a sharp-pointed object. This can be anything from a screwdriver to a fishing hook. If you have matches, you can even use a dull knife to sharpen the end of a match as a makeshift hole puncher. We’ve even used a thorn from a wild rose bush before. Now the best way to accomplish this is to take your sharp object and poke it directly through the top of the cap. Once the hole has been punched, put the cigar in your mouth and test the draw. Widen the hole with your tool of choice until you get the desired airflow.

While we hope you’re never in a situation without your good cigar cutter, it’s good to have the ability to get by without it. Check out the rest of our cigar articles to discover more useful tips on cigar smoking, like how to select a great cigar humidor. There’s a lot of culture that comes with cigar lifestyle!

Photo credit: Pixabay

How Cigar Shapes and Sizes Affect Your Smoke

Posted on March 27, 2021 by Staff

Every cigar lover has a favorite type of cigar, from a standard corona to a beefy Churchill. There’s something to love and appreciate about different cigar shapes and sizes. What some might not know is that there are some key differences between each that make each style of smoke a unique experience.

Vitolas is the term that refers to cigar shapes and sizes, and cigars will smoke differently depending on which one you pick. So, we came up with a list of ten different styles of cigars and how they differ. If you want to branch out from your favorites or try something new, use this as a resource to get started.

Two things primarily determine the style of a cigar: the length and the ring gauge.

The Cigar Length

This is pretty self-explanatory, but the length of the cigar determines how long of smoke it is. The baseline for the length of a standard cigar is around 5-5 ½ inches.

The Ring Gauge

A ring gauge is essentially the circumference or fatness of your cigar. A fatter cigar has more tobacco in it so you can expect a stronger flavor from the blend of tobacco used.

Conversely, a thinner cigar has less tobacco which means the wrapper has more of an impact on the taste. This makes it interesting to compare different sizes of the same blend of a cigar to note the differences. You may find you enjoy one size more than another.

The Corona

Corona is pretty much the benchmark for a standard full-size cigar. You can expect a clean and even burn that will last a fair amount of time when smoking one. The ring gauge on one of these is between 42 and 44.

If you were introducing a friend to their first “real cigar” this would be the size to go with, not too small to end the experience quickly, but not such a stogie that they become overwhelmed.

The Mareva

A slightly smaller cigar, also known as a “petite corona” at 4 1/2 inches and a ring gauge of 40 to 42, this one won’t smoke as long as a standard corona but is still a decent size.

You can expect the wrapper to play more of a role in the flavor of one of these due to the tighter ring gauge. If you were wanting to enjoy a quick smoke, in-between activities, this is a good option.

The Churchill

Now we’re moving up to the big boys. The Churchill is a slightly longer and fatter friend of the corona. The Churchill cigar received its name after the famous prime minister, Winston Churchill. Churchill smoked upwards of 300,000 of these cigars during his lifetime.

At 7 inches long and with a 47-52 ring gauge, you’re looking at a good beefy smoke with lots of flavors. A Churchill is probably not ideal as an amateur’s first smoke, but once you graduate to one of these bad boys, you’ll likely never look back.

The Robusto

A true fat boy, the Robusto is 5 inches long with a ring gauge of between 50 and 54, these cigars pack a ton of flavor into a relatively short length. You can expect a full-bodied flavor when smoking one of these.

While the shorter length means you won’t get as long of a burn, the size of the smoke means you’re guaranteed the full flavor of the tobacco blends used. These are a good replacement for a corona if you want a richer experience.

The Toro

Another of the big boys, and slightly longer than a Robusto at 6 inches, with a ring gauge between 50 and 54 as well, a Toro is a good choice when you want a longer smoking stogie.

These are on the larger end for cigars packing plenty of flavor into their bulging frame, a must for fans of bulky cigars.

The Gordo

The true big boy of the bunch, Gordo’s sport a massive 60 ring gauge and can range in length from 6 to 7 inches. If you’re a fan of a fat cigar, then you’re looking at the biggest out there.

These are great for a full-bodied flavor where the taste of the tobacco leaves an impression. Even if you’re not a fan of the beefier varieties, you should try one of these at least once.

The Double Corona

You could easily call the double Corona an “all day smoke.” It’s almost double the length of a standard corona. So, you can expect to smoke this one for a while. It also has a bit more thickness to it with a ring gauge of 49 to 52.

This is the perfect golf course cigar. These pack in tons of flavor while giving you something to relax with in-between holes. If you like to kick back with a nice long smoke, you can’t go wrong with one of these.

The Lancero

Lancero’s are a bit on the slender side, with a ring gauge of just 38, but at a length of 7 1/2 inches, gives you a decently long smoke. You could call them a “gentleman’s cigar” with the thin profile, a Lancero gives you the full experience of the wrapper and the tobacco while being long enough to enjoy.

If you’re not a fan of the beefier varieties, a Lancero is a good choice for the selective cigar smoker.

The Lonsdale

The Lonsdale is another contender for the “typical” cigar. It’s about an inch longer than a corona and has a 42 ring gauge. Smoking gives you a nice balanced flavor between tobacco and wrapper.

This is a good second option if you’re looking for an introductory cigar to give out to people that are new to the lifestyle and want to try a “real cigar”.

The Pyramid

These carry a distinctive taper to the head. The cut foot squares off. The pyramid is a bit longer than the standard corona or Lonsdale with a length of 6-7 inches. The ring gauge will also vary due to the taper with a low of 40 at the head and 54 at the foot.

The unique thing about pyramid-style cigars is the experience from the head to the foot. The foot is thicker and packed with more tobacco. This gives you get a richer flavor towards the back end of the cigar. Definitely, one that you grow to enjoy more the longer you smoke.

The Perfecto

The true stogie is a Perfecto with a tapered and slightly rounded head. It has a fat middle and a closed foot. They range in length between 4 1/2 to 9 inches with the standard length sitting somewhere in the middle, giving you plenty to enjoy, and the ring gauge varies from head to foot from 38 to 48.

The perfecto is aptly named because it strikes the perfect balance between a light beginning, a heavier middle, and a smooth end. You’ll get the full experience of the wrapper, the tobacco blend, and a smooth and even burn if you smoke one of these, making it a great all-around smoke.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a cigar lover, you likely have favorites that you stick to. Yet, branching out a bit with different styles can enhance the experience, including how your cigar tastes. Sampling different cigar shapes and sizes offer ample smoking experiences. For some, this includes discovering their favorite cigar brand tastes better in a different style. If nothing else, it’s worth exploring what the different cigar shapes and sizes offer in terms of the taste experience.

Photo credit: epcarillio.com

What’s Special About Premium Cigars?

Posted on March 13, 2021 by Staff

Ask the average person the difference between a machine-pressed cigar and a quality premium cigar. The only answer you’ll likely get is the price. Sure, the price does differ, but the cost is not the only thing that makes a cigar a premium cigar. A one-dollar stick has a different taste because everything about it is different. Those who live the cigar lifestyle know these differences. There are differences in the process, the materials, the packaging, and the flavor. However, you may not know why the top cigars are all premium cigars.

The Mechanics of It All

We all know that the process of hand-rolling premium cigars gives them their quality. The reason for this comes down to the process. Factory or machine-pressed cigars result in lower quality due to mass production. It’s impossible to ensure that every machine-made cigar in a batch of thousands will have the same consistent quality. Even if the materials are superb, large batches are prone to errors, and quality assurance is non-existent.

The very nature of a hand-rolled cigar makes it of higher quality. A human being rolls and wraps each cigar before finishing it. Hand-rolling adds a built-in method of quality assurance. Any roller worth their salt will ensure that each cigar is as good as it can be.

The Materials Make the Difference

Most cigar enthusiasts know that premium cigars also use better tobacco leaves. The truth is, everything about the tobacco in premium cigars is better. For one, the leaves run the entire length of the cigar, which distributes the flavor throughout the cigar from the first drag to the last. Beyond the size of the leaves, they are all harvested and sourced from the same relative place.

Cuban cigars are good international cigars because of the unique flavor of Cuban-grown tobacco. However, tobacco is a delicate plant that takes work to grow. Therefore, each region that produces quality cigars grows its own tobacco; This includes niche products such as limited-run artisanal cigars and miniatures like cigarillos and jr cigars.

Machine-pressed cigars often use mass-produced, low-quality filler tobacco. The tobacco gets chopped and made into the filler. Unfortunately, this also usually includes stalks and other scraps to fill the cigars. These parts of the tobacco plant can lead to a bitter, undesirable taste. Cutting, of course, saves money and keeps the cigars less expensive by volume.

You will not find a machine-pressed cigar created from higher-grade tobacco. The cost of raising the crop often presents a barrier to this. Certain varieties are challenging to tend to or are only grown in small batches by local farms. The cost and resources to mass-produce these would be astronomical and not worth the effort for a stick that only costs a buck or two.

The Wrappings of Premium Cigars

Part of the handmade process involves wrapping and oiling the cigar. Premium cigars that are hand wrapped are wrapped tight and even from end to end. The wrapping is usually oiled to keep it smooth and to give it a little gloss. The purposes of this process are twofold. One, it provides the cigar with a distinct look. You can always tell a hand-rolled premium cigar by the wrapping. A premium cigar will look glossier and professionally wrapped. The second purpose is for the cigar to burn even when smoked. Eliminating these plant materials ensures smooth and clean smoke all the way through. The wrapper is also all-natural in a premium cigar which is a benefit over machine-pressed cigars and cigarettes.

Machine-pressed cigars are not glossy. Therefore, their wrapping also needs to be tight and smooth. You can tell this immediately by the dull appearance of the cigar. In addition, the tobacco of a loosely wrapped cigar does not hold together well, which leads to a poorer smoke. Worse yet, the wrappers in many machine-pressed cigars are not all-natural due to the cost of materials. Sourcing filler tobacco is easy enough, but putting tobacco in the wrapping to mass-produce cigars is tricky and inefficient.

Let It Age a Bit

Much like a fine wine or a vintage car, age factors into the quality of a cigar. Many premium tobaccos age to achieve a particularly rich or full flavor. A good premium cigar will taste better over time, so long as you store it at the right temperature and humidity in a good humidor.

Unlike cigarette tobacco, which decays over time due to chemicals and other fillers, cigar tobacco can and does age well if stored correctly; This is different for mass-production cigars. Tobacco for these cigars doesn’t age. Instead, it is picked, bagged, and chopped. Then, it becomes the cigar filler. The flavor profile takes two things into account: tobacco variety and growing location. Yet, the other part of the profile is the aging process. Not allowing the tobacco to age in machine-pressed cigars leaves a mellower flavor.

Premium Cigars for a Reason

The difference between factory-made and authentic premium cigars may only sometimes be evident. Still, for cigar lovers, the difference is noticeable. From start to finish, premium cigars are simply the best cigars. Everything is superior in a premium cigar, whether it’s the production, materials, or wrapping.

Photo credit: “Owner of Gentlemen’s Breakfast, Van de la Plante,” by Tim Mossholder, Unsplash

Lancero Cigars: Elegant Cigars for Distinguished Palates

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Staff

David Bowie’s nickname was the “Thin White Duke” for a reason. Like David Bowie, Lancero cigars are also thin and noble in stature and deserve the recognition of every serious cigar smoker. The trend towards large, brawny ring gauges continues to be embraced by cigar makers. However, Lanceros remain the distinguished smoker’s cigar of choice.

What is a Lancero?

The Spanish word “Lanceros” translates to “lancers,” and is evocative of the lances that horse-mounted knights used. Long and slender, the official Cuban cigar factory dimensions are a ring gauge of 38 and 7 ½ inches long. Cigarillos are small but not thin cigars. Panatelas, according to classification, encompass ALL thin cigars, which include Lanceros. However, only a gran (long) panatela is considered a Lancero.

When Did Lancero Cigars Become Popular?

Lancero cigars are somewhat similar in proportions to a cigarette. However, they have not been around as long. Lanceros are relatively new and were a creation specifically made for Fidel Castro in 1960. In fact, these El Laguito Number 1 cigars came into being shortly after the Cohiba brand became established. Such was their demand that Castro commissioned the Cohiba Trinidad. The Lanceros then became a much sought-after trophy cigar only used for diplomatic gifting.

Imitation is the Most Sincere Form of Flattery.

Cigar giant Davidoff was the first major producer to follow in Cohiba’s footsteps and continue to make Lanceros after moving from Cuba to the Dominican Republic. For decades, they were the only non-Cuban producer to continue with Lanceros in their portfolio. Today, as tastes continue to favor the larger ring gauges of big smokes, only a few elite brands offer the traditional Lancero.

How Do Lancero Cigars Smoke?

Size does make the difference, and Lanceros are the polar opposites of their big gauged brethren such as Torpedoes and Churchills. With the larger cigars, the flavor is produced by a significant amount of filler. Therefore, producers must pay careful attention to the tobacco blend. With Lanceros, the wrapper is the most important component, since there is little filler to overpower it.

You Get What You Pay For

The one complaint with Lanceros is they often become “plugged” or hard to draw because of their construction. This is why most lounges or retail outlets only carry the best producers who pay careful attention to build and proper storage. It also means that Lanceros can be expensive.

Taste Says it All

True connoisseurs want to taste the tobacco and know about the farm or Finca from where it came. And, that’s who you’ll find enjoying the Lanceros most often. The wrapper’s taste is the tobacco leaf in its purest form. Some of the newer, top producers like Alec Bradley and Oliva have offered Lanceros as an expression of the quality and purity of their tobacco and wrapper combinations. Carlos Fuente Jr. says the Lanceros offers the best size of cigars that Fuente makes. Additionally, he favors the Opus X Lancero, primarily due to the purity of its flavor.

True Aficionados Love Lancero Cigars

For many cigar makers and smokers with distinguished palates, the Lancero is the cigar of choice. Some feel the size tends toward “effeminate”– they have been the occasional cigar of choice by Jennifer Lopez and Rihanna. However, you can also spot country singer Brad Paisley with them, and claiming their size doesn’t affect his singing as much. Even though celebrities may make certain cigars seem trendy, one thing is certain – the classics are here to stay, and Lanceros are true classics.

Photo credit: Fox Cigar/foxcigar.com