LIGHTING UP - When you're ready to smoke your cigar, make sure the flame doesn't touch the cigar. Instead, gently char the end until it blackens, then put the cigar in your mouth and draw lightly while rotating it over the flame. Contact with the flame flavor the cigar with residue from your lighter or match.
CIGAR TUBES - Although it is a matter of personal preference, cigar experts think that cigars sold in tubes should be removed before storing them. Cigars kept in tubes tend to become dry and lose their flavor if kept in the tube for more than a year. It is also believed that storing your cigar in a tube will prevent proper aging of the cigar by inhibiting the marrying of tobacco flavors.
CIGAR AGING - The wrapper leaf is believed to have the greatest effect on how a cigar will age. Studies using the same tobacco blends with different shades of wrappers indicate that dark, oily wrappers age better than lighter colored wrappers. However, like wine, age will make a fine wine or quality cigar better, but a bad wine or cigar cannot be saved by aging.
NOT THE FRIDGE! - Don't put those cigars in your fridge! Your fridge will dry out your cigars since most units also dehumidify the air. Also, when you light up the cigar that hasn't returned to room tempurature, the wrapper may explode off the cigar because the heat from the smoke causes the leaf to expand too quickly. Finally, if there are onions, garlic or other strong aromatic food near your cigar, your cigar could take on their flavors.
STINKY CIGARS - A popular way to neutralize the odor of your cigar is to light a candle. However, the flavor of your cigar could be affected by burning scented candles at the same time. You should wait until after you smoke your cigar, then light a candle and open a window.
DON'T DUMP THAT ASHTRAY! - It's said that ash is a great dentifrice, though it isn't known if it is a successful tarter buster, and when mixed with oils, it makes a beautiful gray paint for canvas. It will also polish silver and other precious metals quite nicely.
THE BLUE AND WHITE - Ever notice how smoke from the burning end of your cigar is blue, while the smoke coming from the cigar's head is white? Blue smoke means the lit cigar is free from impurities, while smoke that travels the length of the cigar picks up impurities and other ingredients present in the leaf.
LIGHTING AND RELIGHTING - If your cigar goes out, don't just relight and start puffing away. Tars present in the cigar upon relighting will make the smoke taste charred or stale. Instead, tap off all of the gray-white ash on the end of the cigar before placing the flame under it. When the heat from the flame causes the tip to ignite into a bright yellow flame, gently blow through the cigar for a few seconds. This will burn off the tars built up in the cigar while smoking, and your cigar will smoke as if it was freshly lit.
CRACKLE, CRACKLE - Alot of people roll their cigar between their fingers to determine if the cigar has been stored properly. This will destroy your cigar. All cigars crackle when you squeeze them. If you have to man-handle your cigar before selecting it, pinch it slightly near the foot, it should give slightly and bounce back into place.
BETWEEN THE BLUE AND WHITE - A white flaky powder on the wrapper of your cigars in your humidor, don't be alarmed. This growth is called bloom, or plume, and is the result of the cigar maturing and aging. It is also a sign of proper maturation and often enhances the flavor of your cigar. Blue growth on your cigar is mold and means your humidor is over-humidified. At this stage, it's best to toss those cigars with blue mold in the trash.
WHEN TO STOP SMOKING - Ever asked yourself the question, "When do I stop smoking a cigar?" There are people who say once the cigar has burned halfway down, it is done. Others smoke it all the way down to their fingers. In the end, the choice is yours. Whenever you reach the point of your cigar becoming unenjoyable to smoke, put it down. Don't stomp it out or smash it. Just let it extinguish itself.
COVERED WAGONS AND CIGARS - So where did the word "stogie" come from? The word "stogie" came from the name Conestoga. During the mid to late nineteenth century, small Pennsylvania town of Conestoga lent its name not only to the covered wagons it produced for long treks westward, but for the foot-long stogies it made.
COOL IT! - If you're smoking your favorite cigar, and it starts to burn hot, try this little tip. Gently blow through the cigar to blow out all the smoke in the cigar, then set the cigar down for a minute, then smoke as usual! It works!
DRIED UP CIGARS - To restore a dried cigar, remove them from their tubes or wrappers, place them into a ziplock bag and seal it. Then puncture the bag with the many little holes. After that, place the first bag (with cigars) into a second, larger ziplock bag containing a sponge moistened with distilled water. Seal the second bag. Remove the cigars from the box after 5 days or so. Rotate the cigars 25% every 2-3 days, until each cigar has been rotated twice (about 3 weeks). Once the cigars have regained their normal sponginess, they can be returned to the humidor. The cigars should sit in a humidor for another 9-12 months to allow enough time for the tobaccos to reach their proper equilibrium.
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