Technique & tips to optimize your smoking pleasure

[X-Man]

I recalled @El Presidente advised when smoking a cigar it is best to draw slowly and gently, so we get a “cool” smoke, which enhance the flavors, taste and experience. I could not agree more, as I understand the logic behind this. The controlled heat would be slowly “roasting” the binder and filler, while “burning” the wrapper.

I have been using this technique whenever my schedule permits, but I must admit, I still rush to smoke my cigars from time to time.

Just wondering if anyone else has solid advice like this to share in the forum, so we get to optimize our smoking pleasure. Thanks in advance.

[BrightonCorgi]

A 2 minute timer would help set the cadence.

[99call]

Ultimately people tend to gravitate to their optimum method of enjoyment naturally. Take Laurence Davis for example. For many of us his style of smoking is an abomination, the chewing and the fact he can get through a Churchill in 25mins with his relentless machine gun puffing. All that said, it works for him and it's how he optimises his enjoyment, so whilst we might all agree their are certain truisms, it's all down to personal preference in the end. 

The only thing I really try to focus on is ensuring I've given the cigar the best chance I could in enjoying it. I.e. taking a bit of time to enjoy the aroma unlit, the tactile feel and look of the cigar, then once lit, try to tune into the Palate smoke, Retro smoke and Foot smoke. Sometimes a cigar can be an absolute POS on the palate but the foot smoke is wonderful. 

This approach is really borne out of all the numerous failure factors you can get with Cuban Cigars. I.e. get your wins where you can. If the cigar looks beautiful, take time to enjoy it, if the retro is fabulous, luxuriate in it. A Cuban cigar where all the stars align is quite rare, so my only advice to offer, is try to appreciate everything they can offer, through all your senses.

 

[BoliDan]

Honestly I prefer large draws for big retrohales. Keep it cool with more time between draws.

[teamrandr]

A truly outstanding cigar almost demands you slow down. A Siglo VI from 03 comes to mind. 

[Ford2112]

I just let the cigar tell me how to smoke it. I try to never be in a hurry and savor it. A good cigar is a joy to indulge in.

[X-Man]

18 hours ago, 99call said:

Ultimately people tend to gravitate to their optimum method of enjoyment naturally. Take Laurence Davis for example. For many of us his style of smoking is an abomination, the chewing and the fact he can get through a Churchill in 25mins with his relentless machine gun puffing. All that said, it works for him and it's how he optimises his enjoyment, so whilst we might all agree their are certain truisms, it's all down to personal preference in the end. 

The only thing I really try to focus on is ensuring I've given the cigar the best chance I could in enjoying it. I.e. taking a bit of time to enjoy the aroma unlit, the tactile feel and look of the cigar, then once lit, try to tune into the Palate smoke, Retro smoke and Foot smoke. Sometimes a cigar can be an absolute POS on the palate but the foot smoke is wonderful. 

This approach is really borne out of all the numerous failure factors you can get with Cuban Cigars. I.e. get your wins where you can. If the cigar looks beautiful, take time to enjoy it, if the retro is fabulous, luxuriate in it. A Cuban cigar where all the stars align is quite rare, so my only advice to offer, is try to appreciate everything they can offer, through all your senses.

Completely agree. Thank you. It is just like there are people who prefer their steaks medium rare and there are people who like them well done. Personal preference.

We often talk about temperature and relative humidity when it comes to keeping cigars. I am curious is there a study of the temperature of the heat when lighting up a cigar?

The late MRN in his encyclopedia under the Ash section, stated the ashes being black as the result of organic molecules in tobacco leaves means there not being fully combustible. Perhaps there is the right temperature range that would help combustion and release the essence in the leaves of our cigars.

Really appreciate any thoughts, comments and feedbacks about this.  Have a great weekend there!

[X-Man]

11 hours ago, BoliDan said:

Honestly I prefer large draws for big retrohales. Keep it cool with more time between draws.

For each drag, I do 2-3 slow and small puffs and then one big draw for retrohale. I find that gives me the optimal result. Cheers!

[X-Man]

8 hours ago, teamrandr said:

slow down.  A siglo VI from 03 comes to mind. 

 

8 hours ago, Ford2112 said:

I just let the cigar tell me how to smoke it. I try to never be in a hurry and savor it. A good cigar is a joy to indulge in.

Slowing down to appreciate 👍🏼 Never be in an hurry. Any tips regarding the heat and moisture when smoking? 😃 Thanks again!

[Adisaputra]

Not really a trick, but lately I tend to notice that ash color can impact the flavor of the cigar. When it’s dark grey, I tend not to enjoy my smoke as compared to when the ash is silver-white

[loose_axle]

I find smoking socially helps. The natural flow of conversation gives a great non-timed breaker between draws. If I smoke on my own I find I'll rush it as in the back of my mind there's generally something else to be done and I should have the cigar and get to it. If its social either there are people at mine which means under the sacred laws of hospitality I must give them my undivided attention and can so switch off and smoke away at leisure. If at another's house it would be rude to ignore mine host/s and again I switch off. Glitches in the matrix. 

[99call]

15 hours ago, X-Man said:

I am curious is there a study of the temperature of the heat when lighting up a cigar?

I would say the majority of cigar smokers whether it be soft flame or jet flame will light a cigar partially, then put it in their mouth and draw on the cigar with the flame on the end of the cigar. To me this is a big no-no as it's effectively creating the effect of a blow torch running up the cigar...soft flame or not, it doesn't matter. 

I think the attached video of an early mouth operated 'blow' torch makes that clear. Drawing on a flame, effectively creates a blow torch. 

When using a jet flame on a deflecting angle, (and avoiding having the tip of the flame on the cigar) working from the middle of the foot outwards, I find it's easy to keep the majority of the heat off the cigar, zero chance of burning the outer wrapper, and then simply finish lighting the ember by looking at it, and blowing on the foot to fill out any unlit areas. 

Although using a jet lighter, I believe this actually keeps the cigar at a lower temperature that someone drawing directly on a soft flame or match. I have never actually tried, but I'm convinced if you were to cut both lit cigars open along their length, it would visible, that drawing directly on a flame creates a concave burn line in the cigar from the very beginning. 

[Li Bai]

9 hours ago, 99call said:

I would say the majority of cigar smokers whether it be soft flame or jet flame will light a cigar partially, then put it in their mouth and draw on the cigar with the flame on the end of the cigar. To me this is a big no-no as it's effectively creating the effect of a blow torch running up the cigar...soft flame or not, it doesn't matter. 

I think the attached video of an early mouth operated 'blow' torch makes that clear. Drawing on a flame, effectively creates a blow torch. 

When using a jet flame on a deflecting angle, (and avoiding having the tip of the flame on the cigar) working from the middle of the foot outwards, I find it's easy to keep the majority of the heat off the cigar, zero chance of burning the outer wrapper, and then simply finish lighting the ember by looking at it, and blowing on the foot to fill out any unlit areas. 

Although using a jet lighter, I believe this actually keeps the cigar at a lower temperature that someone drawing directly on a soft flame or match. I have never actually tried, but I'm convinced if you were to cut both lit cigars open along their length, it would visible, that drawing directly on a flame creates a concave burn line in the cigar from the very beginning. 

Agreed.

A very well-known cigar merchant here in France (Cyril Pelletier, owner of the late Pitbull brand if anyone knows) even advises to wait until the foot is fully lit before cutting your cigar to avoid any air flow.

Tbh, I've tried it many times and didn't notice any difference but as @99call says, I never puff until my cigar is fully lit, unless I'm drunk then rules change 😁

[Greenhorn2]

I tend to let the cigar dictate how I smoke. A well rolled cigar in right conditions allow me a slow smoking experience.  A tight cigar that tends to go out gets a more rapid draw thus resulting in a faster smoke. I hate constantly relighting a cigar.

[Chibearsv]

I think the draw and humidity condition of your cigars are the most important variables. It's really difficult to really enjoy a cigar if the draw is very tight or the cigar is over humidified which forces constant drags to keep it going. There's no lighting technique that will fix that. If the cigar is too loose and or dry, then the lighting technique might matter more.  When you get one that's just right, you just need to get it lit, take your time, and savor each puff to enjoy the ride.

[Chibearsv]

5 hours ago, Greenhorn2 said:

I tend to let the cigar dictate how I smoke. A well rolled cigar in right conditions allow me a slow smoking experience.  A tight cigar that tends to go out gets a more rapid draw thus resulting in a faster smoke. I hate constantly relighting a cigar.

Jinx! Simultaneous post.  

[chasy]

I’ve found retrohaling while the cigar is still in my mouth makes for a totally different flavor. I have no idea why. In other words, keep your mouth open while you retro, it’s very different for me…

[Chitmo]

Like a good steak or glass of whiskey, my only advice is to take your time and enjoy. The rest is subjective. 

[Lamboinee]

When I'm really smoking to analyze a cigar's flavors, I find it helpful to have a flavor wheel in front of me. I can't be sure if the flavor wheel is suggesting flavors that I'm not actually experiencing, or if it it helps me focus and find flavors that I would otherwise not mention because I can't draw a comparison in my own brain without the help of a flavor wheel. However, I believe it is the latter. I think the flavors I experience with a flavor wheel are actually there, and the flavor wheel merely helps me dial-in on more specific flavors. Without the aid of a flavor wheel I think most cigars taste like generalized categories of things (e.g. wood, or earth) and I'm unable to dig deeper into more specific flavors subsets.

[Justins123]

I’m not convinced it makes a difference, but the old timers back in the day said if your cigar is burning unevenly, face the slower burning part toward the ground.

[Li Bai]

1 hour ago, Justins123 said:

I’m not convinced it makes a difference, but the old timers back in the day said if your cigar is burning unevenly, face the slower burning part toward the ground.

That's interesting, never heard that one before but I do it myself 🤔

[joeypots]

I like to smoke indoors more than outside. Not that it’s a big issue but I find that the enclosed space allows the smoke from the cigar and exhales can float around in a way that I like.

 

[Justins123]

On 10/11/2024 at 9:47 PM, X-Man said:

For each drag, I do 2-3 slow and small puffs and then one big draw for retrohale. I find that gives me the optimal result. Cheers!

This is exactly what works for me. Couple of small puffs to get this burning then one bigger one for the retrohale. 

[Cigar Surgeon]

On 10/12/2024 at 6:53 AM, Li Bai said:

Agreed.

A very well-known cigar merchant here in France (Cyril Pelletier, owner of the late Pitbull brand if anyone knows) even advises to wait until the foot is fully lit before cutting your cigar to avoid any air flow.

Tbh, I've tried it many times and didn't notice any difference but as @99call says, I never puff until my cigar is fully lit, unless I'm drunk then rules change 😁

Same same.  Have been doing that since 2012, but I never cease to get other cigar smokers looking at me like I've lost my mind.

[Li Bai]

16 hours ago, Cigar Surgeon said:

Same same.  Have been doing that since 2012, but I never cease to get other cigar smokers looking at me like I've lost my mind.

Do you mean you don't cut it until it's lit? If so, have you noticed any difference then?

PS: I almost always blow a good 30 seconds into young cigars before lighting them up and I get that same reaction from other cigar smokers 😉