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Archive for the ‘Cigar’ Category

When people debate the question of whether or not a cigar should be smoked fully or just halfway, they’re really debating whether or not there is something inherently bad about a half-smoked cigar. Whether or not a cigar is bad or good depends upon the tobacco and the wrap, not upon how much of it has been smoked.

Is this true or not? The question is bandied about an awful lot, perhaps more than is truly merited. It’s more of an academic question, really. The real answer is, of course, that smokers should smoke however much of their cigar they desire and, if someone objects, that person can smoke their own cigars halfway if they so choose. There are various reasons why this debate endures.

Smoking tobacco, whether it be from a pipe, a cigarette or a cigar, inevitably changes the taste and the character of the rest of the tobacco in the bowl or wrapper. As the tobacco combusts, it produces tar and the tobacco through which the smoke is drawn acts as something of a filter, catching particles of the tar and flavoring the tobacco. Most often, the tobacco becomes stronger and sharper as one smokes more of it.  Read more...

Many lighters, especially cigar and pipe lighters, are fitted with various accessories designed to make lighting up a more convenient experience. These lighters are often fairly expensive.

Butane torch lighters and liquid fuel filled lighters are both available with attachments aimed toward particular types of smokers. To make certain that the lighter and the attachments remain in good condition, there must be some attention paid to how the lighter is stored when it’s not used for a long while. There are accessories that can protect lighters from damage during storage which are very affordable and widely-available.

Storing a refillable lighter which is possessed of ornate and delicate finishes and accents requires a soft storage case with a hard exterior. Many models come with a case specifically-designed to hold the lighter and this should be retained. This applies to butane and liquid fuel lighters. These storage cases cost no money as the lighter is shipped in them and make it easy for the owner to ensure the safety of their investment.  Read more...

Cigars are an elegant affair from start to finish. A good store always contains not only high-end cigars but high-quality lighters, cutting implements and even some more off-the-beaten-path devices that one may have never before considered. Among those lesser used lighting devices are cedar strips.

To do this, one needs the same devices they normally would require to enjoy a cigar: a high-quality lighter or matches, depending on one’s preference; any one of the numerous types of cigar cutters available; a good cigar; and, of course, some time to enjoy the smoke. Actually lighting the cigar with cedar is no different than lighting the cigar with a match or a lighter; it is in the reasons for doing so that the rationale for the various techniques involved are discovered.

Most smokers who prefer this method have some degree of sensitivity to the taste of the chemicals used in both lighters and matches. Cedar burns fast and hot, has a pleasant, natural taste and, according to many cigar aficionados, imparts no unpleasant taste to their tobacco. For this reason, many individuals who prefer to light their cigars in this fashion also light the cedar strip itself with a match, eliminating altogether any chance of having lighter fluid or other substances discolor the flavor of their cigar. Of course, this method is not the most convenient and is usually something that is done when one smokes a cigar in their home as carrying around all the materials required can be somewhat cumbersome.  Read more...

One of the most important cigar accessories that an enthusiast will own is their humidor. This is the home for their cigars, and it is designed to maintain optimal conditions for the tobacco it contains. Some will use humidors for their everyday cigars and others use them for aging finer cigars as well. The key to using a humidor is to ensure that it is maintaining a regular level of humidity, and this can only happen if it is properly prepared before being put to use.

People who use humidors will usually have a few that are not in active service. This means that they are empty and are not being monitored for their levels of humidity. Before putting such a box back into service, the owner is going to have to re-season it and ensure that the wood lining the box is in good condition. It is significant to note that the cedar wood lining the humidor is very soft and prone to losing its moisture rapidly. If you place cigars into a humidor which has not been in use, the wood is likely to pull some moisture out of the cigars, and a balanced environment will be very hard to obtain.  Read more...

If there is one tragedy where a box of high-quality cigars is concerned it would be in their being ignored and going stale. While many people wrongly believe that a sealed box of cigars is impervious to many common problems, the fact of the matter is that they are not packaged to retain their best qualities. This is the reason that the best tobacconists keep their cigars in proper storage cabinets with humidifiers and hygrometers fully engaged.

The first thing to know, however, is that the humidor is the final destination and not the embarking point. If you happen to have a few empty humidors or one that is not currently serving in a humidifying capacity you can start the restoration process there, but if not, you can just bust out the largest plastic zip locking bag you have. You will have to ruin it by poking some air holes in it, but it will be worth the sacrifice. Next, you will need to find a relatively stable location, such as a cupboard or closet where the humidity and ambient temperature are fairly steady and reasonable. You can leave the cigars in this spot for the next three or four days.  Read more...

Any cigar smoker has seen a wide variety of cigar styles and sizes, whether they have first-hand experience or have simply peeked into the window of a tobacco shop. Size and style of cigar greatly determine what kind of smoking experience you will have. As an example, taste will be one factor determined by the style and size of your cigar as will the smoke temperature that results as you draw and puff the cigar. Have a little knowledge regarding the variety of styles and sizes of cigars can greatly enhance the experience you have a cigar smoker.

Style Variations

Cylindrical – This is the most widely used cigar style. This style of cigar allows for the even flow of air through the body of the cigar. This style is also the easiest to manufacture and is offered by most cigar makers. Generally, the cap on this style of cigar is rounded.

Torpedo – The second type of cigar style is the torpedo. These are less common than cylindrical cigars, but provide a more focused airflow through the body, thanks to the tapered end. The torpedo shape features a funnel end, usually placed at the head (the cap), though some manufacturers place it at the foot, (the lit end).  Read more...

The vast majority of cigar smokers prefer to light their cigars with either butane torch lighters or with wooden matches and cedar strips. Given the reputation of the Zippo lighter company for high-quality products that can last over several generations, it may seem a surprise that their products are not more associated with the truly gourmet way to consume tobacco. Once one understands the reasons behind this, however, it is obvious.

Lighting a cigar is a complex process that requires the smoker to apply the flame on two separate occasions. The cigar must first be toasted so that an even heat is reached at the foot of the stogie and then, of course, the foot must actually be lit. Both of these processes expose the tobacco and the wrapper to the lighter’s flame for a considerable amount of time. The longer a lighter is applied to the stogie the more likely that it will take on the taste of any impurities found in the flame.

Cigar lighters oftentimes come equipped with cutters built into the lighter itself. This eliminates the need to carry around a clipper separately. These lighters produce a reliable flame and get a great many lights off of a single reservoir of fuel. For that reason, they are generally the most popular method of lighting up among those who love a fine cigar.  Read more...

Relighting a pipe means that one gets to enjoy their smoke at their own pace. Pipes burn for a long time and some smokers prefer to let them go out and relight them after a while. This does change the tobacco’s flavor a bit but many smokers like the sharper, bolder taste. The process of relighting a pipe is very similar to that required to achieve the first light. In fact, it is virtually identical save for the absence of a few steps.

Relighting the pipe starts with checking the tobacco. If the tobacco has taken on a shaggy appearance, one can simply tamp down the bowl again with their tamping tool. In many cases, the tobacco will become densely packed once it is put out. One won’t know, of course, until they light up, if this is the case. An aerator tool can be used to remedy this situation. Simply poke a few holes in the burning pipe to increase the airflow.  Read more...

High-quality cigar lighters such as Lotus lighters oftentimes come with many convenient additions. Many are equipped with cigar cutters and other tools. Double and triple jets provide reliable lighting under any conditions. These lighters come in another form that makes them even easier to use. If one is tired of having to flip their lid every time they light up a cigar, a single action lighter may be the answer. These are among the most convenient of lighters.

Many lighters have a lid of one sort or another built into them to protect the components. Most often, the lid is flipped open and the lighter is lit. In a single action lighter with a lid, one need only push the button. The entire lighting process, from sliding back the lid to starting the flow of gas to producing the spark is done with one press of the button. This can be quite an advantage.

Single action lighters are excellent choices for those who have trouble performing very fine tasks with their hands. Individuals who suffer from arthritis, for instance, will likely appreciate the convenience of being able to spark their lighter with the press of a single phone. High-end lighters are manufactured with high-quality components which ensure that the single action is not a technical advantage soon to become broken or compromised.  Read more...

The number of stores that sell high-quality lighting implements such as Nibo group lighters has exploded in recent years. There is generally a very broad selection at these establishments which makes them attractive to those who don’t want to hunt around too long for the perfect torch. Shipping restrictions always apply to any hazardous materials, however. This means that lighters will always be shipped “dry” in that there will be no fuel in the reservoir. There are good reasons for this.

Cigar lighters are most commonly of the butane variety. This fuel is a high-pressure gas which is kept in canisters. The lighters are filled by holding the canister to a seal at the base of the device and depressing the can to release the butane. The pressure and the flammability of the gas make it a hazardous item and, as such, subject to shipping restrictions. Users may have some difficulty shipping these items depending upon local regulations.  Read more...