|
GUIDE 1 - tips
on what's right, wrong, what's best, etc.
by
Cigar aficionado, Theo Rudman
Published: 31 December 2000
HEALTH No 1.
Because of the anti-smoking hysteria that
started with the publication of the first report
on smoking, by the Surgeon General of the United
States, in 1964, the cigarette has been condemned,
with some justification, as a villain. But
unfortunately its cousin, the cigar, has been
included in the same hysteria - even though
harmful substances, like nicotine and tars, are
filtered out of the tobacco leaf in premium
cigars. In addition, it should not be your
intention to inhale the smoke from a cigar, only
to swirl and hold it in your mouth for the taste
and feel.
From a health point-of view there
is no comparison between a cigarette and a puro,
the name for an all-tobacco cigar. Tobacco leaf
for premium cigars, which includes virtually all
hand-made and a few of the top machine-made
cigars, undergoes two and, in some cases, three,
natural fermentations before the cigar is made.
Fermentation causes a natural
chemical change in the tobacco, enhancing flavour
and aroma. At the same time, nicotine, tar,
ammonia, acids and other impurities are reduced,
making it much more palatable than normal
cigarette tobacco.
According to Tobacco
Encyclopedia, "Nicotine decreases by between 10
and 90 percent. Soluble carbohydrates are
eliminated and there is a considerable reduction
of nitrogen compounds, which result in the obvious
release of gaseous ammonia. The pH becomes more
alkaline during fermentation. The extent of all
change is dependent on the severity of the process
which,
TASTE
Personal preference for
most things is subjective; taste and flavour are
no exceptions. All the tongue can taste is bitter,
sweet, salt and sour. Terms commonly used to
describe cigars are spicy, floral, fruity, woody,
aromatic and green, which are all aroma-related
and detected by the nose.
Remember that your own strength
criteria may well vary according to your mood, the
time of the day and whether the smoke is pre- or
post-prandial. So choosing a cigar of the right
strength can really only be achieved by
experimentation - and that is an almost endless
journey of surprise and delight, making cigar
smoking one of the more civilised pleasures in
life.
SELECTING YOUR CIGAR
Even
with cigars, size, particularly thickness, is most
important. So experimentation is essential. The
thickness of the cigar, measured in either
millimetres or, in the USA, in 'ring size' or
'ring gauge' (expressed in 64ths of an inch),
contributes to the richness and coolness of the
smoke.
Generally, a well-rolled, thicker
cigar, provides a much easier draw. This gives a
large, satisfying amount of smoke, with less
effort, so the cigar can be smoked slower and,
therefore, cooler. The coolness of the smoke is of
paramount importance. A cigar should be the
correct size for the amount of time available.
It's a fallacy that rolling the
cigar near your ear will tell you anything
meaningful about it. However, gently squeezing and
rolling it between thumb and forefinger will help
you judge the condition of the cigar. It should be
firm and have some give; too hard and it may
indicate that the cigar has dried-out and will
give a harsh burn and be hard to draw.
It's also a fallacy that licking
the cigar before lighting up will enhance one's
smoking pleasure. It's considered bad manners
among connoisseurs and will in no way compensate
for the condition of a cigar if it's become
dried-out.
CUTTING
Cut off the sealed
end with scissors or a guillotine cutter, ensuring
that you leave a small ring of the cap to keep the
wrapper-leaf from unravelling. All hand-made
cigars are sealed at the head, that is the end to
be cut and put in your mouth.
LIGHTING
Use a butane
lighter, wooden matches or cedar-wood taper. A
candle, benzene lighter or cardboard matches can
affect the flavour of the cigar. Hold the tuck end
(opposite to the head) of the cigar above the
flame (not touching) at 45 degrees. Rotate to
toast evenly and draw gently, only when the cigar
is completely lit. Doing this with finesse adds to
the occasion.
SMOKING
Swirl and hold the
smoke in your mouth. The richness and flavour is
enough. Do not inhale. Puff only often enough to
keep the cigar alight without over-heating it, as
this will cause a harsh taste. Let the ash stay on
as long as possible as it is considered elegant
and will ensure the cigar does not burn at too
high a temperature, encouraging smoothness.
Relighting is acceptable, provided the cigar still
tastes good.
Make sure you allow enough time
to make this a leisurely, hedonistic experience.
Concentrate on the pleasure of the moment. An hour
with a good cigar, a glass of fine port, cognac or
espresso, adds to the pleasure of life and helps
to compensate for its trials and tribulations.
THE BAND
To smoke with the
band on or off is an frequently-asked question.
This is optional and depends, largely, on the
attitude of the company in which you smoke. If you
choose to remove it, wait until you have smoked at
least two centimetres, so the heat and moisture
will have loosened any gum used to stick the band
to the wrapper. | 
