The
cigar smoking experience begins with how one
prepares for this most pleasurable of experiences.
A fine cigar deserves fine etiquette and these
pointers can be used by anyone, from the beginner
to the most discerning of aficionados. Use
these points as a guide, remembering to enjoy
your cigar your way, as Sinatra would have
said “I did it my way”.
·
The object of the cut is to create an ample
opening for smoking. This means cutting the
head without damaging the cigar. Using
guillotine cutters, pierce cutters and
V cuts are all acceptable. With a guillotine
remember to only cut approximately 1/16 of
the cap so you won't damage the cigar, causing
it to unravel. Using a Pierce cutter and V cutter
are more than acceptable but many purists
insist that they allow tars to build up on
the small opening they create. It is worth
investing in a quality cutter as a bad one
will ruin a great cigar. A few ruined cigars
will add up to the cost of an elegant cutter quickly.
·
When lighting one’s prized cigars, remember
to keep the cigar above and near the flame,
but don’t let them touch. Burning a
cigar directly in a flame makes it too hot.
Rotate the cigar so all parts of the tip are equally
heated. Be patient until the complete foot
of the cigar is glowing. Then raise the cigar
to your mouth and take the first puff with
a little further assistance from your lighter
or match.
·
It is acceptable to relight a cigar if it
has gone out while you are enjoying great
conversation with fellow aficionados and friends.
·
Never use a flame that will alter your cigar’s
flavour, such as a candle or paper matches.
Use a clean burning butane lighter or wooden
matches. Lighting a strip of cedar with any
flame and using the strip to light the cigar
is also a very acceptable method.
·
To remove or not remove the band is a matter
of personal preference.
·
Allow the cigar ash to build as opposed to
forcing it to break before it is ready.
·
On this point, don’t play architect
with your ash – too long and it will
break off and be all over your clothes.
·
Never bang the cigar on the ashtray while
removing the ash. Treat the cigar gently to
avoid breaking the outer wrapper thus
taking away from the pleasure of your cigar.
·
Do not stub your cigar in the ashtray when
you are finished with it – doing this
creates unnecessary odours. Allow your cigar
to die with dignity when your cigar’s
life is over
