Four Cigar Mistakes You Might Be Making

Article by Lawrence Towns

Cigar collecting can be an engaging and rewarding pastime, but isn’t necessarily a clear cut one. Whether you’re a long-time aficionado or just starting out on the road to fine stogie appreciation, the potential for making mistakes is always present. Here are five of the most common errors and misconceptions cigar lovers tend to run into.

Improper Storage

While the issue of proper storage is an obvious concern for newly minted cigar lovers, veterans can sometimes fall into some surprisingly bad habits as well.

As many seasoned cigar smokers know, magazines, sellers and other sources have long turned to the basic rule of storing cigars at 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 70 percent humidity. Like most general catch-all rules, this one has its share of problems.

75 degrees is considered to be the temperature at which tobacco beetle eggs are able to hatch-unleashing an incredibly efficient and destructive wave of cigar-eating pests. The eggs occur naturally and can end up in even high end cigars. However, not all beetles and their eggs are created equally. Some have been known to hatch at temperatures below 75.

While most humidors do a great job of regulating humidity and monitoring temperature, they are prone to the same heat fluctuations as the room they are stored in. This means that a single steamy day can spell disaster for your entire collection. To combat this potential pitfall, many cigar owners store their humidors in a basement where temperatures stay constant or use a coolidor-a device which can cool your collection artificially.

The Price and Quality Correlation

Since there are so many cigars available on the market at any given time, you’re also bound to find a head spinning array of prices, from corner store cheap to locked-vault expensive. A common misconception held by many smokers is that a higher price usually means a much higher quality as well.

Because all cigar smokers are different and thus harbor varied opinions on what makes the perfect cigar, it follows logically that something as arbitrary as price is a poor way to choose a particular product.

Often, cigar prices reach extravagant heights based on “limited edition” runs. While these cigars usually feature especially high end ingredients, a time-tested classic has the benefit of years of evolution and tweaking to offer the best-yet incarnation of itself. In addition, it takes a fairly consistent fan base to allow a cigar such a long production life, meaning the product is probably and great one.

While it’s a great idea to splurge every now and again on special treats on the high end of the pricing scale, seasoned cigar lovers tend to make up the bulk of their collections with products that have built a solid reputation over many years. Sometimes, it’s best to look beyond flash to discover substance in a great cigar.

Cigar Cutting

Most of a cigar’s flavor and characteristics are a direct result of its composition and rolling technique-that is, the stuff on the inside. However, one procedure that can turn enjoying even a high end cigar into a sour experience is the cutting.

Of course, cutting is always preferable to the uber-macho bite-off technique, which actually can lead to a poorly burning and slowly unraveling cigar. The type of cutter you choose should be based on the size of the cigar you’re about to smoke and your own preferences.

V cutters are a great choice for smaller cigars, offering great circulation and moving tar away from the mouth. Contrarily, bullet punches can offer too little air circulation. Guillotine cutters offer clean lines, but can allow too much air in, leading to a harsh burn.

Lighting up

Though it may seem like a simple proposition, many cigar aficionados argue vehemently about the best way to light the perfect stogie. The first detail to consider is where you get your fire.

Most classically-minded smokers opt for wooden matches only or butane fueled lighters if matches aren’t convenient.

The idea behind being so picky about how a cigar is lit depends on the claim that different fire sources can add extraneous flavors to the cigar. While wooden matches may impart an organic aroma and flavor, the lighter fluid commonly found in cheap lighters can add a distinctly chemical taste according to many smokers.

Torch-style butane lighters burn cleanly while offering a steady flame even in breezy situations. These types of lighters make lighting up simple, offering a consistent flame as your rotate the cigar to light each section equally.

One of the most enjoyable parts of collecting and enjoying fine cigars is the personal journey each smoker takes toward subtle and complete appreciation. The mistakes you make along the way will ultimately only add to your knowledge and the depth of your experience. However, there’s nothing

Related posts:

1. The Cigar Lighter: Making A Statement
2. Your First Cuban Cigar Smoking
3. The Right Cigar Lighters For Your Cigar
4. Torch Cigar Lighter
5. Lighter Fluid What Beginning Cigar Smokers Should Know