For new smokers, cutting and lighting a cigar can seem as daunting as learning to choose a good single. Here are tips to guide you in cutting and lighting a cigar for the first time.
Making The Perfect Cut On Your Cigar
How to clip a cigar properly? Although every cigar aficionado has their own proven method, here are some basic guidelines to get you started.
First, examine the head, or closed end, of the cigar. This is the part of the cigar that will need to be clipped. Determine where the ‘cap’ is. The cap refers to the part of the cigar where the tobacco leaf was used to close the cigar. Once you’ve found the cap, determine its length. As a general rule, you should not cut any further than the end of the cap. If you cut further than the cap, there’s a good chance your cigar will unravel!
Use a good quality clipper to cut the head at the cap. You don’t want a cheap cutter that will result in frayed or split cuts. You can purchase a special cigar cutter at your local tobacco shop that is designed to make clean cuts. Once you have your cutter, hold your cigar at eye level and make a fast and decisive cut just above the cap. Less is more when cutting.
Now your cut is done so let’s get it lit!
First know your cigar. A cigar has an outer layer which is the binder or wrapper, inside is the filler or inner tabacco. Keep in mind when reading the below that you will be toasting the foot of the cigar. This is to create an even burn.
1. Use cedar matches, if possible. If you prefer to use a lighter, make sure it’s butane lighter to avoid pulling strong odors into the cigar which can tamper with the taste.
2. Warm the open end of the cigar (aka ‘the foot’ of the cigar) slowly holding it at a 45-degree angle over the flame, without touching it to the fire. Let a black ring form around the end.
3. Place the cigar in your mouth and draw in slowly. Hold the cigar over the flame, about half an inch to an inch above it, again without touching. Continue to draw in until the cigar draws the flame. Turn the cigar slowly, spinning it to establish an even burn.
4. Once your cigar is lit, take it out of your mouth and observe the burn you have established. If the burn appears to be uneven, simply blow on the unlit sections to draw the burn, and then take one or two draws from the cigar to reestablish an even burn.
Godere!
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