You guys have been a big help with getting me started right in cigars. There's a wealth of info on lighting, cutting, and storing your cigars. But there's not really that much on the actual smoking of a cigar. How to hold it, ensure you're not inhaling(while drawing on the cigar), experiencing the full flavor of the smoke, etc. So what are your smoking techniques?
Smoking 101?
- Thread starter chickenfried
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There is no right or wrong. I usually give two short pulls followed by a long pull. If you really want to taste it try pulling the smoke to the back of your mouth and exhaling through your nose.
The proper way in terms of etiquette is to hold a cigar between your thumb and fingers, not like a cigarette, but Macallan is definately right, no right or wrong....I suppose, sometimes there are proper situations, just like manners when you sit down to eat at a restaurant, there are some common courtesies, like don't gesture with a cigar in your hand (so the ash doesn't fall on someone), don't talk with a cigar in your mouth(you don't talk with your mouth full right?), etc...
But for the most part cigar smoking is definately a personal experience....regardless...
But for the most part cigar smoking is definately a personal experience....regardless...
i agree with what smoka and macallen said, but what i personally do is either take two puffs or one long puff. I let the smoke swirl in my mouth for a bit and when i blow it out i blow it lightly off of my tounge (if that makes any sense).
When I meet the Master roller for Davidoff's - I noticed that
as he blew the smoke out he would hold his lips tight together.
Puffing his cheeks out!
I understood he was forcing the smoke to totally fill his mouth, surround his tongue
and thus get the most flavor he could from his cigar.
There are different flavor centers in the mouth and on the tongue.
By making sure the smoke is everywhere - you hit all the sensors.
I do that (not every puff) ever seeing him do it.
as he blew the smoke out he would hold his lips tight together.
Puffing his cheeks out!
I understood he was forcing the smoke to totally fill his mouth, surround his tongue
and thus get the most flavor he could from his cigar.
There are different flavor centers in the mouth and on the tongue.
By making sure the smoke is everywhere - you hit all the sensors.
I do that (not every puff) ever seeing him do it.
CastleCrest said:
You can hit even more if you use your nose as well.
(not for beginners) Start small, but blowing smoke out your nose lets you pick up so much more strength detail, and flavor.
The nose has been a tough one for me! I have been working on it and eventually it has been getting easier....
Here's a little blurb by Davidoff:
Do warm the foot of the cigar slightly before starting to puff on it. Remove the band carefully after lighting the cigar. Take your time smoking it; a puff a minute is about right. Hold the cigar between your index finger and thumb. Let the cigar die a dignified death; after it's smoked halfway, it will go out on its own. Dispose of the dead cigar discreetly and quickly. Wait at least fifteen minutes between cigars; anything less indicates obsessive behaviour. The important thing to remember is that we cigar aficionados should present ourselves as considerate and understanding individuals. Changing people's preconceived notions and giving the growing numbers of aficionados a good name is well worth that little extra effort.
Don't use a penknife to cut or a lance to pierce the end of the cigar. Touch the flame directly to the foot of the cigar: Instead simply rotate it around the edge till it starts to burn, then puff lightly. Ask someone else for a light ('The lighting of a cigar should be a personal affair'). Light your cigar too quickly or too slowly. Indulge in exhibitionism in lighting or any other aspect of smoking. Relight your cigar if less than one quarter of it is leaf. Put the cigar in your mouth to relight it. Just scrape off the ash and turn it in the flame for several seconds till it relights. Clench it between your teeth. Get the end of the cigar wet, chew It, slobber on it. Smoke too quickly. Use a cigar holder. Stick a toothpick or matchstick in the end of the cigar to help hold it in your mouth. Dunk your cigar in port or brandy, a habit attributed to Winston Churchill. Smoke while working. Hold a cigar between your index and middle finger. Smoke when you're walking. Smoke more than half the cigar. Put the cigar out by crushing it in an ashtray. Chain-smoke cigars.
Do warm the foot of the cigar slightly before starting to puff on it. Remove the band carefully after lighting the cigar. Take your time smoking it; a puff a minute is about right. Hold the cigar between your index finger and thumb. Let the cigar die a dignified death; after it's smoked halfway, it will go out on its own. Dispose of the dead cigar discreetly and quickly. Wait at least fifteen minutes between cigars; anything less indicates obsessive behaviour. The important thing to remember is that we cigar aficionados should present ourselves as considerate and understanding individuals. Changing people's preconceived notions and giving the growing numbers of aficionados a good name is well worth that little extra effort.
Don't use a penknife to cut or a lance to pierce the end of the cigar. Touch the flame directly to the foot of the cigar: Instead simply rotate it around the edge till it starts to burn, then puff lightly. Ask someone else for a light ('The lighting of a cigar should be a personal affair'). Light your cigar too quickly or too slowly. Indulge in exhibitionism in lighting or any other aspect of smoking. Relight your cigar if less than one quarter of it is leaf. Put the cigar in your mouth to relight it. Just scrape off the ash and turn it in the flame for several seconds till it relights. Clench it between your teeth. Get the end of the cigar wet, chew It, slobber on it. Smoke too quickly. Use a cigar holder. Stick a toothpick or matchstick in the end of the cigar to help hold it in your mouth. Dunk your cigar in port or brandy, a habit attributed to Winston Churchill. Smoke while working. Hold a cigar between your index and middle finger. Smoke when you're walking. Smoke more than half the cigar. Put the cigar out by crushing it in an ashtray. Chain-smoke cigars.
I knew he only smoked half a cigar.....But that's just not enough for me...If it's in full swing, I won't throw it a curve ball!!
I'll nub that little baby til' doesn't taste good!
I'll nub that little baby til' doesn't taste good!
Thanks for the tips guys.
Former cigarette smoker so smoke through the nose shouldn't be a problem. I'll give it a try.
I guess I was worried that I was inhaling the smoke. Because I noticed when I breathe in and draw it "felt" similar. But I figured out I wasn't because if I inhaled the smoke, it'd exit when I breathed through my nose :bigidea: I know it's not rocket surgery.
The thing about puffing the cheeks is funny because for some reason I naturally do that. But feel like a dork. I think to myself, I can't go to asmoking lounge with my puffed out cheeks, I'll look like a goober. Yes I know at my age I shouldn't care about what other people think. But I still don't want to look like a goober, or should I say anymore of a goober than I already appear
Former cigarette smoker so smoke through the nose shouldn't be a problem. I'll give it a try.
I guess I was worried that I was inhaling the smoke. Because I noticed when I breathe in and draw it "felt" similar. But I figured out I wasn't because if I inhaled the smoke, it'd exit when I breathed through my nose :bigidea: I know it's not rocket surgery.
The thing about puffing the cheeks is funny because for some reason I naturally do that. But feel like a dork. I think to myself, I can't go to asmoking lounge with my puffed out cheeks, I'll look like a goober. Yes I know at my age I shouldn't care about what other people think. But I still don't want to look like a goober, or should I say anymore of a goober than I already appear
You know what? You shouldn't care what other people think! A cigar is a personal affair and if puffing out your cheeks brings you most enjoyment, then by all means you should continue.
Chickenfried- As former cigarette smokers, blowing smoke out the nose is much easier. The trick is to try it with a milder smoke first.
After trying it with a stronger smoke, you will see how much easier it is to judge strength by the watering of your eyes (or lack of). :wink:
After trying it with a stronger smoke, you will see how much easier it is to judge strength by the watering of your eyes (or lack of). :wink: