Surely you have heard that to enjoy a good
cigar it is essential to choose it well, prepare it before lighting and, of
course, know the secrets of a good lighting, which can become quite a ritual.
Three themes that tend to become a challenge that worries many of those who
want to smoke their first cigar.
The first thing is the choice of the
cigar.
The immense number of shapes, sizes, colors and
brands is in itself a challenge to overcome. For many experts, those who are
new to the world of tobacco should choose small and smooth cigars because they
can offer a more satisfactory first experience. For some, you should definitely
start with a premium cigar. Although they tend to be somewhat more expensive, a
lower quality smoke is likely to produce less enjoyment.
Soft cigars will give you pleasure without risking
that the force of a full-bodied cigar will produce a clash of very strong
flavors and substances capable of discouraging you. If they are small, you will
have to spend less time smoking it, although it is good to know that small
cigars are not always smooth.
Then the cigar must be prepared.
One of the keys for making that the cigar burns
evenly, which will allow few variations in the flavor, is to remove the lid (a
small piece of wrapper at the end of the cigar) with a special cutter for this
purpose.
A wide variety of cutters are available on the
market, but to ensure a clean cut it is important to use a quality one, with a
sharp blade, because using a dull or poor-quality cutter can damage the casing.
The tip should never be cut with your teeth to avoid tearing the cigar and nor
should a toothpick or any other fine element be inserted to pierce it.
Some experts say that it is best for new
smokers to use a double-bladed guillotine cutter because making a good cut is
not an aesthetic issue. It will be decisive for the correct combustion of the
cigar, which will allow to properly appreciate all its flavor.
Another task involved in preparing the cigar is
deciding whether or not to leave the ring or band. As in everything that refers
to cigars, on this issue there is also controversy. There are those who believe
that it should be removed, arguing that if it is not done, it will burn and
produce a burnt paper taste. Those who think otherwise say that as the band
tends to adhere to the cigar with a small amount of glue, removing it could
detach a small amount from the wrapper, which can affect the structure of the
cigar; therefore, it would be best to start smoking for a few minutes and let
the heat of the cigar soften the glue, allowing you to easily undo the band. In
any case, if you decide to remove it, you must be careful not to damage the
layer of the cigar.
After a good choice of the cigar and a perfect
cut, it remains to make a good lighting that allows you to enjoy its flavor and
aroma to the fullest. This point involves a whole ceremony which we will talk
about in the next article.
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