Many of you, for different reasons, are having a love affair with
cigars, rendezvousing in sidewalk cafes, coffee shops, and restaurants
for a few joyful moments. Perhaps you like the flavor, perhaps you like
the aroma, or perhaps you just like to tell people who smoke skinny
cigarettes, "My cigar can beat up your Marlboro." For whatever
reason, the cigar is a luxury many of you choose to use.
However, for some of you, the above statement might not be true. You
may, never having gone beyond the pink or blue bubblegum cigars handed
out in hospitals after the birth of a child, be a little leery of
cigars. They might seem scary, or intimidating, and you might find
yourself with a variety of questions: How should I hold a cigar?
How should I cut a cigar? How do I know which cigar to choose? Do I
need to take some sort of Lamaze class to learn how to puff?
What's What
Some say, "Potato," some say "Po-taught-o," some say, "Filler," some
say, "Huh?" If you're not used to having a cigar in your mouth, some of
the jargon - the Filler, the Binder, the Wrapper - may have you
scratching your head in confusion.
In sum, the Filler is the cigar's soul, stuffed in the middle it is
essentially what the cigar is filled with. The Binder is made up of
thick tobacco leaves and used to bind the Filler together. The Wrapper
is the outside leaf of the cigar. Basically the cigar's wardrobe, the
Wrapper is an extremely important outfit for two reasons: it holds
everything together and it provides a lot of the cigar's flavor.
Stogie Selection
Buying a cigar from a reputable dealer will guarantee your purchase is
premium. Once you've chosen a dealer, the art of cigar buying becomes a
bit free form: there are very few set rules. It is, however, good to
keep in mind that the darker the tobacco, the stronger the flavor.
Make the Cut
There are a million different ways to cut a cigar - use a knife, use
cigar scissors, use a V-cutter, or, if your cigar has been found guilty
of crime during the French Revolution, use a guillotine cut. It's your
cigar, so cut it anyway you want - even use a circular saw or your
teeth, just make sure no one is watching.
After deciding how you're going to cut your cigar, you need to know
where to cut it. Cutting off the cigar's head, the general rule is to
slice the cigar just past the shoulder (where it stops being round).
Puff, the Magic Dragging
To light a cigar, simply hold it out and allow the flame of the match
or the odorless lighter to meet its end. Turn the cigar, rotating it so
that the end becomes evenly charred.
Once the cigar is lit, and take off has commenced, let the smoke wallow
near your mouth, drinking in the aroma and the flavor. Gently puff on
the cigar, instead of inhaling like a cigarette.
Holding Time
Most people recommend that you don't hold your cigar like a cigarette,
unless you are European (I know, it doesn't seem fair that the
Europeans got sexy accents, the Spice Girls AND cigar holding). For the
rest of you, a cigar should be held between your index finger and thumb.
Size Matters
When it comes to cigars, the length of the ash is important. You should
allow your ash to grow to around three quarters of an inch long, which
will inevitably turn into two feet during locker room talk. A lengthy
ash is vital to a good smoking experience. The ash creates an air
block, which helps decrease the temperature of the smoke and results in
a slower burning cigar. These factors intensify the taste and make the
experience more enjoyable.
Once a cigar is smoked halfway, let it die: it's served its purpose so
bid it a fond farewell with a tip of your hat and a "It's been nice
smoking you." Then, go on your way.
Now rest, and smoke, assured, just knowing these few tips will have you
looking like Groucho Marx in no time, except with better trimmed
eyebrows.
Jennifer Jordan is an editor and
staff writer for www.whatsknottolove.com. At home in a design firm in Denver, Colorado, she writes
articles specific to the finer things in life.
|
tweet this!