Ageing cigars

Cigars fresh out of the box are generally too 'young' to smoke. While some things like apples are best enjoyed fresh, cigars can taste bitter when smoked without proper ageing. For those who are patient, we recommend that cigars be kept in a humidor for about a year and allowed to rest and release any toxic gases (like ammonia) which may be lingering in the leaf. Some cigars keep better for longer times, such as a good Cuban like a Bolivar or Montecristo. Some better brands of Dominican or Honduran cigars hold up well to ageing; strong wrappers are a must. Ageing your cigars will bring out the best flavours and can turn a fair cigar into a winner using the magic of time.

Ring Gauge

To assist you during the browsing/shopping process at cigars.com.au more simply click on the 'Ring Gauge' wording in each cigar entry. This will give you more information on the Ring Gauge & Length of a Cigar.

Storing cigars

The best place to store your fine cigars is in a humidor. Good humidors come in a variety of materials and sizes. You can find them made from exotic woods like Canarywood, or from pleasing grain woods such as cherry or maple. The inside should be lined with Spanish cedar and have a method of testing the humidity (hygrometer). Larger humidors have partitions to separate your various cigar brands. The most important thing to know about storing your cigars, is that they must be stored at 65-70 degrees of humidity and at a temperature of approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Just remember the 70/70 rule. Good humidors come with a device (hygrolator) which maintains the proper level of humidity. The brand known as Credo has such a filler which holds the moisture and is one of many offered in the marketplace.

How to cut a cigar with a single-blade cutter

With your single-blade cutter in your cutting hand, position the cigar cap (uncut end) under the blade at the point where you want to cut it (typically 3mm in). Bring the blade down gently onto your cigar at the right point and rest it there for a second (just enough to establish solid contact). Without losing contact with the cigar, cut with one swift, decisive, surgical motion, applying even pressure. The cleaner you do this, the less chance you'll have of tearing the wrapper or crunching the tobacco.

How to light a cigar

Start your flame, with either a long wooden match or a butane torch or similar lighter. Now position the flame just below your slightly angled cigar, making sure the flame doesn't actually touch the cigar. The cigar is nowhere near your mouth at this point. You're still holding it. Without touching flame to tobacco, light the edge of the cigar (the rim). Eventually the binder will light. You'll know because wisps of bluish smoke will start floating up. Now, ever so slowly, turn your cigar a notch to the next logical point on the rim. Wait for the binder to catch. Keep doing this process until the entire rim turns grey. Could take 40 seconds. Once the rim has been lit all around, blow gently towards the centre of the face of the cigar to get it to burn evenly. Once the face is completely grey, bring the unlit end to your lips, but don't inhale! Blow out softly through the cigar instead, clearing it of the occasional sooty taste.

How to smoke a cigar

Bring the smoke into your mouth and savour the moment. Extract the taste as you would from a fine wine. Take long rather than short puffs, but not too often. Puffing too often and too quickly will overheat the cigar and cause it to burn irregularly.

How to remove the ash

Politeness dictates that you should not leave ash hanging on the end of your cigar. Instead of flicking or tapping the cigar, it is best to let it fall naturally by tilting it slightly over the natural receptacle for ash, the ashtray.

How to extinguish a cigar without butting it

Having reached two-thirds of its length, a cigar's embers naturally fade away then gently die without the smoker having to do anything about it. To butt it would be contrary to cigar etiquette, and would also generate an unpleasant odour.

For further assistance in the art of cigar and pipe smoking please contact us or visit our shop.