Cigar smoking

Cigar smoking has increased recently, the new public is more educated than the previous one and is trying out good brands of cigars.

Cigar smoking has become a ritual in itself; first, the testing of a cigar by gently squeezing it. A good cigar is soft enough not to break with the pressure. It means it has the right amount of humidity to produce a good smoking experience.

Then, comes the removal of the cigar ring. Real cigar smokers will frown at a cigar being smoked with the band still on. Some say the band was invented by Spanish nobles to keep their gloves from being stained, others that the Dutch Gustave Bock made the band to distinguish his brand from the rest. Who ever invented the ring, Zino Davidoff once said "Cigars are most attractive when naked". A harsher Spaniard saying goes "Band in the cigar, a sure ass", meaning that the ones who smoke with the band still on is because they don't know how to smoke and are just poseurs.

Cigar smoking has been associated with prestige, economic success and triumph. Cigars are puffed on celebrations and to acknowledge achievements. Even elegant clothing has its beginnings in cigar smoking. To avoid ash stains or burns on noblemen clothes, a special suit was designed, it was called "smoking", which is today's tuxedo, clothing used in very special ocassions.

The lighting of a cigar is also part of the ceremony, a cigar must be properly lit for an even burn. Some lighters have double flame to allow the cigar to light evenly. The purists will want to burn the cigar with the same thin wood with which the cigar was wrapped as they say it adds flavor to the cigar.

Matches, even the larger ones often consume before the cigar is properly lit, so the best choice is a lighter, but not one with gasoline as the flavor of the cigar will be affected, ruining the cigar's taste.

A cigar should be left to rest for a minute or so to allow it to cool down, the hotter the cigar the more bitter it will taste. One or two puffs are sufficient allowing the cigar to cool down, and letting it rest again. This will also allow a better savoring of the cigar. Ash should not be dropped until it falls naturally, as it help the cooling (and hence the flavor) of the cigar.

As you can see, there's much more than puffing smoke when you are a cigar smoker!