Smoking a cigar is very unlike smoking a cigarette. The right time to ash a cigarette is when the ash becomes inconveniently long. The tobacco in cigarettes is cheap and hot-burning. Conversely, the tobacco in a cigar is expensive and burns best when it's kept at a lower temperature. This ensures the very best flavor.
Figuring out how much of an ash gives the best flavor will depend not only on the smoker's preference but on the cigar in question. Some cigars will burn hotter than others and, thus, need more of an ash. Remember that the first few puffs of a cigar will be the point at which the ash is at its hottest. Cigar lighters, such as Colibri lighters, oftentimes have a very hot flame and the first few puffs are not representative of the overall flavor of the cigar owning to the heat. Once an ash is generated, the real flavor begins.
While a cigar is certainly hot, it should not be so hot that it affects the taste of the tobacco. This is why very powerful lighters, such as the various Lotus torch lighter models, are held a bit away from the cigar during the lighting process. To burn, fire or embers require fuel, oxygen and heat. The ash regulates the amount of oxygen the cherry receives and, thus regulates the overall temperature of the burn. As any smoker is aware, the first puff off of a cigar is usually the hottest. The temperature of the smoke mellows as ash is generated.
The ash also affects how easily one can draw off of the cigar. Of course, a thicker, heavier ash means that it will be a harder draw for the smoker. No ash means that the draw will be very easy but also may mean that the ember will be burning too hot to ensure quality flavor. The art of cigar smoking involves finding a happy medium between the two. It may take some time but, then again, all worthwhile things have that quality to them.
The only other concern of which one should be aware has to do with being outdoors. If one flicks their ash too early, it may pull the cherry, or part of it, off of the cigar along with it. This can result in a fire hazard and should be something toward which one should give proper attention. A longer ash will tend to drop off under its own weight. Let it detach a bit on its own before ashing to make sure none of the burning tobacco is pulled away with it when one is in a dry area.
Figuring out how much of an ash gives the best flavor will depend not only on the smoker's preference but on the cigar in question. Some cigars will burn hotter than others and, thus, need more of an ash. Remember that the first few puffs of a cigar will be the point at which the ash is at its hottest. Cigar lighters, such as Colibri lighters, oftentimes have a very hot flame and the first few puffs are not representative of the overall flavor of the cigar owning to the heat. Once an ash is generated, the real flavor begins.
While a cigar is certainly hot, it should not be so hot that it affects the taste of the tobacco. This is why very powerful lighters, such as the various Lotus torch lighter models, are held a bit away from the cigar during the lighting process. To burn, fire or embers require fuel, oxygen and heat. The ash regulates the amount of oxygen the cherry receives and, thus regulates the overall temperature of the burn. As any smoker is aware, the first puff off of a cigar is usually the hottest. The temperature of the smoke mellows as ash is generated.
The ash also affects how easily one can draw off of the cigar. Of course, a thicker, heavier ash means that it will be a harder draw for the smoker. No ash means that the draw will be very easy but also may mean that the ember will be burning too hot to ensure quality flavor. The art of cigar smoking involves finding a happy medium between the two. It may take some time but, then again, all worthwhile things have that quality to them.
The only other concern of which one should be aware has to do with being outdoors. If one flicks their ash too early, it may pull the cherry, or part of it, off of the cigar along with it. This can result in a fire hazard and should be something toward which one should give proper attention. A longer ash will tend to drop off under its own weight. Let it detach a bit on its own before ashing to make sure none of the burning tobacco is pulled away with it when one is in a dry area.
About the Author:
Dave Sabot is the owner of an online specialty lighters store featuring windproof lighters and cigar reviews.
No comments:
Post a Comment