Posts Tagged ‘smoking cigars’

3 Tips on Making Most of Your Handmade Cigars Smoking Experience

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

1166938_cuban_cigar

When it comes to smoking homemade cigars, the key to a great experience is to pay attention to detail.

  1. Don’t let the cigar go off in between puffs. If you do, you will have to keep relighting it, which can cause it to burn and affect the flavor. Instead, keep it close to your mouth and puff away every few seconds to ensure it stays lit. If you have to place it on the ashtray for a while, tap off all the ash before doing it and let it go out completely. This will diminish the sour flavor of a relit cigar.
  2. Rotate your homemade cigar to ensure that the fastest burning side is always on top. The bottom burns faster, so it will even out the process and allow you to enjoy the cigar for longer.
  3. Don’t remove the band of the cigar as soon as you lit it. It will be stuck to the leaf and can rip off parts of the cigar as you pull. Instead, wait for a few minutes so the heat loosens up the band and you should be able to do it without much effort.

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How to Match a Fine Cigar with the Proper Drink?

Monday, August 24th, 2009

drinkSome people consider smoking a cigar one of the most indulging pleasures one can afford in his or hers free time. Choosing the ideal cigar brand is an issue in itself, but matching it with the proper drink is a task worth considering. It should be noted, that there is no “right” answer on this matter but it is all down to personal choice. However, there are certain common sense rules.
The first important thing about choosing the right drink for a cigar is the time of the day. If it is 10 in the morning, you should smoke accompanied by a cup of coffee, rather than a scotch or rum. Respectively, in the evening, a type of alcohol should be considered. Second, the alcohol and the cigar should be in a balance with each other. For example, a full-bodied cigar will match an alcohol with a full flavor, like scotch or whiskey; a lighter cigar will go with a rose, white wine or champagne. This way you will find your cigar and drink of the same weight, creating the intended wonderful experience.
But, even though weight is a good technique to match your smoke with your drink, it does not let you explore the great bond that can be created between a cigar and an alcohol or non-alcohol drink. The truly incredible experience comes when the taste of the drink add up to the cigar’s taste, creating a complex synergy of the two flavors. And this feeling is different for everybody. Some people like single malt scotch with a strong flavored cigar. Others prefer a glass of rum, accompanying their smoke.

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The Road to Becoming a Cigar Aficionado

Thursday, June 4th, 2009
Cigar Aficionado

Cigar Aficionado

It needs no second saying that handmade cigars have always been an entity related to majestic personalities; who does not wish to resemble those eminent style gurus? If you are a newbie but wish to be a cigar connoisseur, it can be a very enjoyable road to learn more and try new cigars daily. Make sure to invest sufficient time and money to analyze the various sources of cigar knowledge and in no time, you will become an appreciable cigar connoisseur. Although there are innumerable reviews on all kinds of cigars available on earth, many experts suggest that nothing can be equal to hand-on experiences as far as cigar knowledge is considered.

Therefore, if you want to know more about cigars, get started to try your favorites and the popular ones in the market; you are sure to get the opportunities for comparing and reviewing them. Knowing only the pros or the good favors will not complete your cigar knowledge, so you must try even those brands that you may hate if you wish to become a cigar aficionado. Thus, variety is the key and if you choose to taste different cigars occasionally, you will become an expert reviewer yourself.

It is possible that you will feel lost in the maze when you begin your ‘study’ on cigars and this is when the books/reviews on cigar will be handy. They can serve as an effective starter and expose you to many new ideas that will work wonders when combined with your interest for cigars.

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Tips for the Beginner Cigar Smoker

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
Cigar Chart

Cigar Chart

You may just be getting into the cigar scene and you’re wondering how to choose your very first cigar. Walking in to a cigar store for the first time can be pretty intimidating, especially because everyone working there is a pseudo-expert. Here are a few tips to choosing the right handmade cigar.

First, you want to prepare yourself to buy at least a half dozen cigars. When you begin, you’ll have an idea of what you’re looking for but you won’t really be able to assess the various cigar styles, lengths and color until after you smoke a few.

For starters, it’s always good to start in the middle. Choose a cigar that is medium in color, middle of the road in size and diameter. Once you smoke a few different cigars in this category, talk with friends who smoke cigars regularly and let them what aspects you want more or less of. They can advise you on a better choice the next time.

If you were looking for more intense flavor and more smoke you would want to try a darker and thicker cigar. If you wanted less flavor and not as much smoke you may want to try a cigar that is lighter in color and has less in diameter.

Getting started with cigars is completely trial and error. You will learn the best by trying the different styles, brands, origins, colors, length and thickness. Find a local cigar bar where you can learn from other people and have company when you choose to smoke.

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Cigar Etiquette

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
Cigar Ashtray

Cigar Ashtray

There are many unwritten rules when it comes to smoking a cigar. Some you may know and others may be a surprise to you. Let’s take a quick look at some of the basics:

First, always observe your surroundings. Take note of the people and the atmosphere. The last thing you want to do is light up in front of someone who would be offended. Typically people with children would prefer if you didn’t smoke around them, so be courteous and look for a designated smoking area.

Secondly, only use a cigar cutter to make incisions into your cigar. Don’t ever use a knife, your teeth, scissors or any other sharp device. You can greatly decrease the full potential of the handmade cigar by doing so.

Always use wooden matches or a butane lighter. Do not use a liquid lighter or other matches when lighting up. If you’re going to be an aficionado you should only use a cedar match.

When you light the cigar, you want to hold the cigar at a ninety degree angle above the flame. Gently rotate the cigar until it is evenly lit. As it burns, place the cigar in your mouth and take a few puffs to ensure the heat makes its way up the cigar. Then blow it out.

As you smoke, take time to enjoy. A cigar is not intended to be smoked quickly. Its intention is to promote a relaxing experience. Also if the wrapper begins to come unwrapped, do not remove it as it will cheapen the look of it and its taste.

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Health Effects of Smoking Cigars

Monday, April 20th, 2009

Everyone knows that smoking tobacco in any form on a regular basis can lead to various types of cancer. Although many argue that there is no health benefit to smoking cigars, research has shown that smoking a cigar less than five times a week may have both physical and psychological benefits.

Tobacco traditionally has been used for medicinal purposes since the 10th Century and is still used today in some ancient Chinese medicine. Tobacco is essentially an herb and can provide some benefit if used moderately.

Smoking an occasional cigar has been shown to reduce blood pressure by relaxing the body. The blood cells open and allow more oxygen to flow in and out allowing the physical body to relax. This also provides great relief for those suffering from mental stress, depression and anxiety. Smoking a cigar can aid the mind in mental relaxation and peace of mind.

Some use smoking cigars to help aid weight gain. Tobacco is able to curve the appetite making it popular among men and women attempting to diet. For people who struggle with eating too much, replacing those high calorie snacks with a few puffs on a cigar may do just the trick.

The health effects of smoking cigars remain a huge debate that will continue on for years to come. Research continues to unveil the benefits both physically and mentally. The bottom line – enjoy your fine cigars. Use them to relax, unwind and to find peace of mind. Whatever you do, do it in moderation.

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