Smoking cigars can be a wonderful and relaxing pastime. You can have a great time picking out your lighter, your humidor, and your cutter, as well as learning about cigars. You will find many types of cigars from which to choose, and you will find that there are a number of stories and traditions arising from cigars. One of the most popular traditions that you might have heard is that some people dip their cigars into cognac or rum, thinking that it will add moisture and flavor to the cigars. Is this a good idea and something that you want to do with your own cigars? The answer is no, and you will hear this from just about every cigar shop that you ask.

Even though you might think that dipping them into alcohol will give them a good flavor, it is not a good idea. The only reason that people ever dipped their cigars into these alcohols was so that they could add moisture to them. Of course, this was long before humidors and humidity control. Today, there is no reason that you should dip your cigars in alcohol. You might even completely ruin the cigar when you try.

You might think that dipping them into rum or cognac would add some extra flavor to them. The cigars will not smell like the alcohol when they burn though (if you are lucky enough to get them lit after dipping them). You can even take away the natural flavors that the cigar offers, which is going to be a big disappointment. As you can see, there is no good reason that you should dip your cigars in alcohol. To keep those cigars moist and fresh, you simply need to get a good humidor in which to store them. This is much easier and you aren’t going to ruin them by mistake.

Something that you might want to try is to have cognac or rum on the side when you are smoking your cigar. You will find that this is a very popular way of enjoying both the alcohol and the cigar. You can have the full flavor of each and might be surprised at how well the complement each other.

Don’t believe all the stories surrounding cigars. You should take the time to learn as much as you can so that you will have the knowledge you need to enjoy your pastime without ruining any of your cigars!

Hand rolled cigars are the favorite among many cigar smokers. You will be able to find a number of these cigars from various parts of the world, cigars that have incredible aromas and a great flavor. However, sometimes they can be difficult to draw on and hard to keep lit, even when lighting with good cigar lighters. It can sometimes feel as though you are puffing on a cigar that has something inside of it blocking the smoke. That is exactly what is happening in these cases. 

Sometimes, cigars are rolled too tightly. This doesn’t happen often, but there is a good chance that at some point you are going to find a cigar that is difficult to draw. Don’t worry and don’t discard the cigar. You can fix the problem, and it won’t take very much effort or much time. 

The first thing you are going to want to do is use your thumb and forefinger to feel along the cigar. Start at the cap of the cigar, the end that you put in your mouth, and feel along the cigar until you find a hard spot. This hard spot is bunched up tobacco that is causing the blockage. Light the cigar and try to draw on it while gently squeezing the hard spot. This should loosen the material so that you don’t have the blockage that is stopping the flow of smoke. 

If you still have a problem with drawing on the cigar, check for more of these blockages and repeat the above steps. Within no time, you should have a cigar that is free of blocks and easy to smoke. If the cigar goes out while you are doing this, simply relight it and continue working on the cigar. Remember to draw on the cigar as you try to loosen those blockages.

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CheapHumidors.com has put together a package featuring Gurkha cigars and cigar accessories. For each kit that is sold, CheapHumidors.com will donate a cigar to a member of the military.

 Dave Sabot, President of CheapHumidors.com, announced a new cigar package that will be available online. This package features Gurkha Factum Cigars with an aged Cameroon wrapper, Dominican binder and Dominican Long Filler.

 Additionally, the combo kit comes with a 10 cigar travel humidor lined in Spanish cedar and has a magnetic lid closure, a Lotus Vertigo Jazz single flame torch lighter, a double blade guillotine cutter and a crystal gel humidifier.

The retail price on this package is $89.99 but is available at: http://www.cheaphumidors.com/GURKHA-COMBO-IMP.html for $39.99. No specials, promo codes, coupons, etc will be accepted. Cheaphumidors.com is also limiting this promotion to only 5 per customer.  

 Mr. Sabot is most excited that for every combo kit sold, a cigar will be donated to a member of our armed forces, “It feels good to be able to give back to the men and women who put their lives on the line on a daily basis to protect our freedom.” Dave went on to say that, “This type of program gives the consumer a way to thank our military personnel by helping to bring the comforts of home to the field.”

If you enjoy smoking a fine cigar, you likely know that there are many essential accessories that you need.  Items like butane torch lighters are essential, but you will also need several other items. For instance, you could certainly make use of a quality cigar holder for transportation of your cigars.  You also need a good ashtray.  What makes a good ashtray for cigars?  You certainly don’t want to use those ugly, tiny things made for cigarettes.  Likewise, many modern ashtrays are simply unusable for those who smoke cigars.  What should you find?

Glass – Heavy, glass ashtrays are eminently suited for cigar smokers.  Glass can look quite stylish, is heavy enough to prevent accidental tipping and can be found in a wide range of styles.  However, you will need to ensure that the ashtray offers the holders sized to fit the stogies of your choice.  You will also need to ensure that the design of the ashtray meshes with your smoking style; some even offer holders for butane torch lighters or other devices.

Metal – Metal ashtrays can be quality, though there are many inferior ones on the market.  However, if you are able to locate a heavy metal ashtray, it can put you in good stead for many years. Of course, you will need to ensure that the metal ashtray you choose offers the same benefits as a glass ashtray, including design and cigar holders.

Ceramic – Ceramic ashtrays can be quite lovely and will make a unique centerpiece for your smoking area.  In addition, large ceramic ashtrays (large enough to hold the ashes from two cigars) are usually more affordable than glass or metal ashtrays.  However, the problem with ceramic is that it is often more fragile than other options available.

When choosing ashtrays for your smoking area, you can look for options where you purchase butane torch lighters and other essentials.  Any tobacco shop, catalog or website should offer numerous options to help you obtain the ashtray that you need for better comfort and enjoyment during your smoking.

Finding a provider offering a quality ashtray isn’t terribly difficult.  You’ll find that most companies feature butane torch lighters, ashtrays, cigars, humidors and other essentials at good prices.  Make sure, however, that the ashtray you choose is large enough to accommodate the ashes from at least two cigars, as well as offering you a nice focal point.

Smoking a cigar is a different affair than smoking a cigarette. There are etiquette concerns regarding when and where it’s appropriate to light up as much as there are etiquette concerns regarding how one lights up. Following both is certain to make the experience more enjoyable for everyone involved.

While lighting the cigar will be a large part of the experience, a cigar is enjoyed even before it is lit. If the host presents a cigar from a humidor it’s likely a pricey one. The smell of cigars, even before they’re burning, can be quite enjoyable. Go ahead and run it under the nose before lighting up or cutting it. The host will likely offer some information about its origins and the tobacco used. Cigars, unlike cigarettes, are much more than brand names.

The host will generally offer a cutter. This is used to cut away the sealed end of the cigar so that it can be smoked. Make sure to hold the cigar over an ashtray when doing this. The scent just after cutting can be quite enjoyable, as well, so enjoy the aroma! Next comes the actual lighting which is something of an art.

One starts by warming the cigar. This is done by holding the match, lighter or cedar strip below the cigar without touching the wrapper and rolling the cigar around in one’s mouth. Once the wrapper is warm, it is ready to light. Test the wrapper with the fingers to ensure that it is warmed up.

The goal when lighting a cigar is to achieve a temperature sufficient for combustion but not one that is so hot that it ruins the flavor of the tobacco. The cigar should not be plunged into the flame. One simply holds the flame below the wrapper and employs the same technique as was used to warm the cigar excepting that one puffs hard enough on the cigar to draw the flame to the tobacco. This may take a few seconds and, after the cigar is mostly lit, there will likely be some spots that haven’t ignited fully. Take the cigar out of the mouth and blow on it to get it burning evenly.

When done properly, lighting up a cigar exhibits a great deal of refinement and shows an affinity for the finer things in life. Puff the smoke into the mouth, don’t inhale, and remember to take enough time to enjoy each puff. Unlike a cigarette, cigars burn for a long while and there’s no rush to finish them. If one wishes, they may stub it out and finish it later.

A cigar wrapper plays a key role in the experience of a cigar. Prior to selecting and smoking a cigar, it is helpful to know and understand how different wrappers influence the smoke. There are a number of variations of cigar wrappers and each provides a unique experience. Could you determine what makes a Claro different from a Maduro wrapper or explain the properties of a Colorado wrapper? Here, we break down each wrapper type and explain how it contributes to the experience of the cigar in order to give you a better idea of what to select for yourself.

Oscuro: This wrapper type is made from leaves that grow at the very top of a tobacco plant. These dark wrappers generally have a stronger taste and may be considered a bit harsh to a first time smoker. This type of wrapper is more widely preferred by seasoned cigar smokers.

Double Claro: Light green in color, the Double Claro wrapper has a somewhat sweet taste and makes for an enjoyable smoke.  However, these wrappers have fallen out of use somewhat and are thus hard to find.

Colorado: Grown in shade to produce a thinner leaf, the Colorado wrapper can be brown, with a bit of red thrown in.  Usually, these wrappers are somewhat strong when you use butane torch lighters or other flame producers to light them.

Claro: Different from the Double Claro, this wrapper is also grown in the shade and has a tan hue. The most distinct difference in the Claro wrapper is that, generally, it is more mild in comparison to most other wrapper types.

Maduro: Providing an extremely smooth smoking experience, the Maduro wrapper ranges in color from brown to black. The benefits of a lengthy curing process are brought out during the lighting and smoking of a cigar in this style of wrapper as it is very smooth.

Obviously, we have not covered every style of cigar wrapper available. There are many other variations including, for expample, Colorado Maduro wrappers, Colorado Claro wrappers and many more. We have chosen here to examine some of the more unique or more widely available cigar wrapper styles. Choosing your cigars based on wrapper style is as important as selecting cigar size and method of lighting. Knowing the basics of wrapper styles can contribute to a more enjoyable smoking experience.

Even if you are new to cigar smoking, you probably know that cigars come in an extremely wide variety of styles and sizes. The style and size of cigar can have a great impact on how the smoking experience will be and can be a determining factor of your personal level of enjoyment. For instance, taste is probably the number one factor that will vary depending on style and size as well as the physical temperature of the smoke that is drawn from the cigar. With a little knowledge of the difference in styles and sizes of cigars, you can assure that your smoking experience will be a positive one.

Style Variations

Cylindrical - The most common cigar style is the cylindrical tube. These are usually the easiest to make and provide even airflow through the cigar’s body. The cap on these is usually rounded. Most cigar manufacturers offer this style of cigar.

Torpedo - The torpedo is the second cigar style type and are less common than cylindrical cigars. Thanks to the tapered end, they provide a more direct flow of air through the cigar body. The shape of the torpedo utilizes a funnel end that is generally located at the cap (the head), although some cigar makers place it at the lit end (foot).

Sizes

You need to know how the size affects the experience of the cigar before you decide to light it up. The selection of cigar size will contribute to many varying factors in your smoking experience.

Length – Providing a ‘cooler’ smoke, longer cigars are often preferred. Longer cigars also typically provide a smoother taste and lack the harshness that can often be associated with shorter cigar sizes.

Diameter – The ring gauge or diameter of your cigar also plays a crucial role. The more thin a cigar is, the more harsh the smoke will be and the faster the cigar will burn. Alternately, a wide cigar will burn slower and the smoke will generally be smoother.