The impact of ash on flavour?

[El Presidente]

Received this earlier today and thought I would refer him to this thread for a wider range of opinions 

 

"in short, I was wondering if the length of ash impacts on flavor and complexity? If you believe it does, how big is the impact? I have some vintage Royal Corona from 2004 and have noticed that I am getting far more complexity in the smoke when i intentionally keep the ash on the cigar. Am I imagining it or is there some real science??

 

Over to you 

[JohnS]

There are two factors to consider here. Firstly, with all things being equal and if the cigars are of a good quality construction-wise and above from a box, then you'd want to maintain a decent ash so that you can avoid the cigar smoking hotter and potentially inducing any flavours that could be bitter or 'sharp' on the palate.

Secondly, if the cigar you're smoking can't hold an ash and is flaky then it's still redeemable, flavour-wise in my view, however; I would much prefer that I can get an ash on a cigar to hold together for the reason stated above and because, in general, cigars that induce a good ash are made of better quality leaves.

[BEVOSREVENGE]

Just my opinion but I prefer the flavor of most cigars with as much ash as possible.

 

[foursite12]

Hot ash invariably finds its way to a place where hot ash is most unwelcome. Any purported benefits notwithstanding, I don't risk much buildup and keep the hot end clean.

[Pharmacovigilant]

While I have never found the length of ash to impact flavor or complexity, I have often noticed the burn goes wonky when a chunk of ash falls, and this often requires touchups.  Doesn’t really affect flavor though, just annoying as hell.

[Corylax18]

I was taught more ash keeps the cherry cooler, which lets the cigar burn cooler, allowing more flavors to come through. I really have no empirical evidence, but count me in the long ash club. Its more out of habit now that anything. I do seem to dump about 50% of the ashes down my chest/into my lap though. Haha

[Ford2112]

I like the long ash! If it helps with flavor great although I have no evidence. It just looks cool.

[LordAnubis]

I dont think ash length has any impact. I say this because i dont notice any difference in flavour from the last puff with ash, to the first puff after i knock the ash off. 

[Chibearsv]

I get no flavor difference that I can tell but I think the ash helps the cigar stay lit and burn more consistently. I won’t stress too much about keeping it on though. Better than doing the jump up and pat pat dance. 

[Islandboy]

I’m an aroma guy...I smoke a cigar not to taste the smoke in my mouth, but to keep the aroma coming off the cigar - you know, that heavenly smell that starts to come off a cigar about 10-15 seconds after gently taking a draw. And ash, at least some, plays a crucial role in moderating the heat and maximizing this effect. Once I ash a cigar (generally on my lap as many have lamented), it seems I have to build back up to having my cigar give off that aroma.

[Edicion]

I try to keep the ash to a manageable length until I start thinking it's either slowing down the burn too much or even making the draw harder. I then relight and do it again, trying to keep a long ash. 

I don't see the benefit of holding a cigar upside down to smoke it so the ash stays as long as possible to be honest, the extra potential flavor is not worth getting the ash all over my face and shirt when it falls off 😅 

[PigFish]

... putting the wrong end of the cigar (ash end) in your gob will enforce a negative smoking experience. It may also burn your tongue affecting other tastes as well as speech!

I would also advise against putting ash in an active coffee cup, or serving other beverages/foods in ashtrays!!!

-the Pig

[Bagman]

2 hours ago, LordAnubis said:

I dont think ash length has any impact. I say this because i dont notice any difference in flavour from the last puff with ash, to the first puff after i knock the ash off. 

Except that perhaps that first puff you mention is still nice and cool from the long ash just knocked off.  It's not like that first puff suddenly got hotter in the seconds after the ash was dropped

[LordAnubis]

1 hour ago, Monterey said:

Except that perhaps that first puff you mention is still nice and cool from the long ash just knocked off.  It's not like that first puff suddenly got hotter in the seconds after the ash was dropped

so youre saying i should do a comparison of knocking ash off every puff, compared to leaving ash for a normal period ot time... intersting... i'll give it a shot.

[Bagman]

23 minutes ago, LordAnubis said:

so youre saying i should do a comparison of knocking ash off every puff, compared to leaving ash for a normal period ot time... intersting... i'll give it a shot.

I have no point other than saying the temp of the cigar won't jump up and down based on the current ash amount.  Saying that there is no flavor variation from the first puff to the last puff prior to ashing makes sense unless you think the cherry heat will suddenly increase the second after ashing.   If you ashed after every puff, then perhaps it would get hotter.  Never tried it.  Though if it works, then I may do it, tired of ash ending in my lap!  Let me know how it goes.

[DeskSmkr]

It’s my crowning achievement when ash breaks off forward of cherry, leaving a 1/4 inch or so ash remaining because I prefer ash on.

seems to me risk of extinguishing after a flush ash break requires more puffs until ash accumulates again, putting more heat in, changing flavor somewhat.

My experience prefers cigar with ash and believe your experience is happening.

[Chibearsv]

11 hours ago, PigFish said:

... putting the wrong end of the cigar (ash end) in your gob will enforce a negative smoking experience. It may also burn your tongue affecting other tastes as well as speech!

I would also advise against putting ash in an active coffee cup, or serving other beverages/foods in ashtrays!!!

-the Pig

Ah, the voice of experience 😁

[BrightonCorgi]

A longer ash will choke the cigar, lowering the burning temps.  Too much and it will go out, but you don't need to be an expert to figure that one out.  I find about an inch is ideal for flavor and ability to keep lit.

[cmbarton]

I subscribe to the belief that a longer ash helps to moderate the heat and thereby positively influence the flavors of the cigar.  That combined with a slow, relaxed pace of smoking creates an optimal experience.  

Side note: I also believe, probably without a basis in fact, that a whiter ash is a sign of a quality tobacco.  I've had some terrible cigars with dark gray ash and spectacular cigars with snow-white ash so that's been my experience!

[La_Tigre]

Nothing more to us than protecting the burn. After ashing invariably starts the wonky line or coning (even line after the ash and then progresses to cone)

[Bagman]

3 hours ago, cmbarton said:

 

Side note: I also believe, probably without a basis in fact, that a whiter ash is a sign of a quality tobacco.  I've had some terrible cigars with dark gray ash and spectacular cigars with snow-white ash so that's been my experience!

That was discussed at length recently here.  I still hold firm that whiter ash is just an indication of magnesium in the soil.  But if you believe that whiter is better, then given that cubans are usually dark (not always), cubans is probably not your game.   But this is for a different thread.

[BrightonCorgi]

A salt and pepper colored ash that reveals a firm & detailed contour of the leaves inside I find the best on Habanos. 

[Toast & Taste]

Sounds like an excellent candidate for a full on FOHrensics investigation. 

I'm in the long ash camp.

After all, who doesn't like a nice ash?

 

Big Al 

[westg]

I am not one for long ash. Construction is the major underlying fact. I am not one for pulling dirty ash through the cigar , for me the difference is considerable . I am definitely not one for nursing ash at length either. 

[Fuzz]

Don't know about what it will do on flavour, but the ash will insulate the ember and keep it burning. I know this from personal experience in testing charcoal briquettes and different ash properties.

I also don't know about the claim that it will keep a cooler cherry, as the ash reflects the heat back into the core, with less heat escaping. Maybe because the ash is keeping the cherry lit, you don't draw on it as fast, therefore keeping it somewhat cooler than if you were drawing more often.

For those of you who smoke in very cold conditions, my advice is you'd be better off leaving the ash on.