Cigar Gift Baskets
How to Buy Cigars as a Gift
Is there a cigar aficionado on your gift list? Wondering how to choose a decent cigar for a friend or loved one? Even if you know nothing about cigars or choosing a good cigar, just learning a few basics can help you sniff out (sometimes literally) a good cigar to give to a friend.
Fortunately, cigars have now entered the mainstream. Once the symbol of the rich and powerful, it’s easier than ever for just about anyone to purchase a good cigar. Of course, you probably won’t be able to buy your friend a box of top-tier Cuban cigars, but you can definitely buy them a good quality cigar that will put a smile on their face.
First, visit your local tobacconist or specialty smoke shop for the best quality and widest selection. Avoid ‘drugstore’ cigars. Although they may be inexpensive and convenient to purchase, drugstore cigars are usually filled with preservatives and generally of poorer quality. They may contain, at minimum, saltpeter, paper, glycerin, and other preservatives and irritants. You should make sure that the cigars you purchase are made of 100% tobacco. If you have any questions regarding the cigars ingredients, ask the salesperson. An experienced and knowledgeable sales clerk will be able to tell you extensive information about the ingredients.
Your local tobacco shop is a good place to shop because you will generally be allowed to smell and touch the cigars. Squeeze the cigar gently. A good quality cigar will give a little when squeezed. The cigar should be firm, with no excessively soft or hard spots. Never buy a lumpy cigar. Look at the wrapper. If you notice any drying or discoloration, best not to buy it. Ideally, the wrapper should be tight and smooth. Inspect the color of the tobacco to make sure it is even. Do this by inspecting the end of the cigar. Some color variation is normal, but if the color changes abruptly, chances are the cigar was not rolled properly. A cigar that is not rolled properly may result in an uneven burning and unpleasant odors.
If you’re not sure how much your friend smokes, choose a longer cigar. Longer cigars tend to have a ‘cooler’ taste—an excellent choice for beginners. If you know your friend is an experienced and regular smoker, choose a cigar that is greater in diameter. These cigars tend to have a richer flavor that experienced smokers will appreciate.
Fighting the Beetles: Protecting Your Cigars from Infestation
Your cigar box may be at risk of a secret predator. Many cigar aficionados have been shocked and repulsed at finding their treasured cigars infested with Lasioderma Serricorne, also known as tobacco beetles. This dreaded beetle feeds on your precious cigars. They don’t care if your cigars are drugstore mass-market brands, or imported beauties.
What is the tobacco beetle, and where does it come from? The tobacco beetle exits in all countries where tobacco is produced. It thrives on tobacco plants, infesting their leaves before it is processed. Tobacco beetles thrive in hot climates, and especially in the warm countries Caribbean countries where much of the world’s tobacco is produced. Tobacco beetles lay larvae that are white and up to 4 mm long. When the larvae hatch, they produce moths that proceed to hungrily eat their way through the tobacco leaves. Unfortunately, the tobacco beetle has been known to survive the process of fermentation and production that is used to make most cigars. Although many countries have made the effort to rid their tobacco crops of this dreaded pest, mostly by spraying crops with gases, the tobacco beetle has proven highly resistant.
If the tobacco beetle survives into the finished product, many cigar enthusiasts may open their cigar boxes to find that their cigars have been eaten through. Sometimes the presence of the tobacco beetle can be detected through the presence of small puncture-like holes on the wrapper. The holes can make an average cigar resemble a flute.
What can you do if you find your cigars infested with the tobacco beetle? Research has shown that your microwave may be your best defense in destroying the tobacco beetle larvae. Before using your microwave, remove and dispose of any infested cigar from your collection. The rest of your cigars can be treated. In order to rid the remaining of your collection of this pest, you should make sure to microwave your cigars together, never individually. Microwave them for about three minutes. After being warmed, immediately place the cigars into the freezer. After freezing them for 24 hours, remove them and allow them to thaw at room temperature. After they have thawed completely, place them in a humidor. This treatment has proven effective in removing the presence of the tobacco beetle. Before removing a cigar from the humidor to be smoked, examine each cigar individually. If the cigar shows no evidence of infestation, it is safe to smoke.
Why Should I Use a Humidor?
If you’re not an skilled cigar smoker, you could be questioning why cigar aficionados use humidors. Humidors are used to retailer and shield cigars so that they are kept at their peak flavor. A humidor works by retaining a cigar at a constant temperature, someplace between 68 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and about 70-seventy two% humidity.
Many cigar aficionados claim that the perfect temperature for storing cigars is 70 degree F. Any decrease will are inclined to age the cigar, slightly than maintain it at a continuing level. Humidors will not be meant to age, but reasonably to protect the integrity, flavor, and shade of the cigar.
What should you search for when buying a humidor? The good humidor ought to shut utterly, with a tight fitting lid that may preserve the cigars effectively stored from the weather and forestall any trade of moisture. Seams should be smooth and nicely fitted for cigars. Cedar, especially Spanish cedar is right for the inside of the humidor. Of course, make certain your brand of cigars matches well into any humidor you’re considering purchasing.
Check the Ashtray: Utilizing Ashes to Decide the High quality of Your Cigar
Tips on how to tell in case your cigar is of the highest quality? Examine the ashtray-the ashes left behind can converse volumes about the high quality of your cigar. Here a number of easy tricks to determining the quality of your cigar.
First, notice how briskly your cigar burns. A cigar that appears to burn too shortly or disposes ashes that break aside easily is probably a lower quality cigar. If the ashes seem too messy, and don’t break aside together, this may also point out a lower quality cigar. Also, verify the color of the ashes. If the ash coloration appears to vary, the tobacco leaf mix may be of poorer quality.
The highest quality cigars, those which might be properly packed, will burn very slowly and burn stiff ash. The ‘stiff ash’ can stay intact up to two to a few inches long, and remain on the cigar without breaking apart. A top quality cigar may be burned all the way down to the nub. Even top quality cigars could fluctuate in style, particularly when they are smoked all the way down to the nub. Many instances, you’ll be able to normally get ‘burn past’ these bitter spots by letting the cigar burn by itself for a couple of minutes.
The Primary Kinds of Cigars
All Kinds and Sizes: The Primary Kinds of Cigars
For the new smoker, the different styles and sizes of cigars can appear mind-boggling. It helps to know that all cigars can be divided into two broad classes: parejos and figurados.
Parejos refers to cigars which might be principally straight. They’re subdivided into three categories: coronas, panatelas, and lonsdales. Coronas are available in quite a lot of kinds and well-known brands. They’re often called cigars with an ‘open foot’ (or tip) and a rounded head. Panatelas are usually longer than coronas, are thinner. Lonsdales are additionally longer than coronas, however are thinner than panatelas.
The second primary category consists of the figurados. Figurados refers to cigars with which might be irregular or in some way hand-formed so that they are not strictly straight. The smallest kind of figurados is the belicoso cigars, that are recognized for a bigger foot and a smaller, rounded head. One other fundamental figurado cigar is the pyramid, which have pointed heads that taper to a large foot. The perfecto is a figurado cigar that’s tapered on both the head and foot, with a thinner middle. The largest figurado is the diademas, known as the ‘giant’ of cigars as a result of it is always eight inches or longer.
A bit of history and the difficult art of Cigar Smoking
Even before Columbus discovered the cigar for Europeans, it was rated among the Aztecs and Mayans. That notion comes from the Mayan Ciquar, which translates as something burning, good tasting and pleasantly scented. Mayans smoked cigars for religious purposes. The first leaf tobacco, which reached Europe in 1519 have long been used only as a „magical healing herb. ” Triumphal march of tobacco as stimulants only began in the seventeenth century. From the time the crew member after Columbus’ voyage to the New World encountered the native tobacco smoking, men from all social groups falling in love with cigars – and now joined by women as well.
Shades of flavored cigars are infinite, the accompanying sensory impressions limitless, and cigar smoking has become a ritual recognized with the upper spheres of the appropriate refinement of luxurious, of wealth. Whereas smoking the organ of style and scent should be in the best condition. Heavy and light a cigar energy after a wealthy and fatty meal. Similarly, mild cigars are the very best complement to a meal consisting of a lightweight meal. If you smoke a number of cigars a day, all the time burn them so as from weakest to strongest.
A cigar consists of the next elements:
INSERT (filler) – fill out a cigar, which consists of different tobacco leaves. They’re chosen primarily based on its fragrant style and skill to glow, then combined in proportions applicable for the type of cigars;
Wrapper (binder) – around the cheese and strengthens the insert. Wrapper come from the identical plant as the leaves on the insert.
COVER (wrapper) – uphold the construction of a cigar, giving it a distinctive look. Have to be sufficiently massive, silky, flexible, and with out the slightest damage. It is the most spectacular and costliest part of the whole cigar.
The celebration of smoking
Cap sealer also protects the cigar cap from growth, it is important to depart part of the cap, which should avoid. On the same time, nonetheless, the cigar should be utterly open to let you unencumber borrowing. The most effective place to chop the cap is located behind the wall retracted his cigar – then take off the tip like a thin crust. Removing the band with the danger of injury to the quilt, it happens that, it’s glued to it. You may take away the sticker with out damage carried out after burning 1 / 3 cigars – the bear is already warmed up and extra flexible. Nevertheless, even then, you simply obtain the band from his finger like a hoop, slightly it needs to be gently „peel”.
Scorch
It is best to burn a cigar, holding it at an angle of 45 degrees to the flame. Subsequently kept a cigar in his mouth, flip the flame and gently raise the order to fireside „jumped” on the tip of the cigar. The operation ought to proceed till the entire tip of the catch on fire. To use the unscented przypalania fire supply: wood matches, or a gasoline lighter. By no means for this objective, do not use a gas lighter or candle flame.
Smoking
Cigar did not inhale. Offers pleasure and style of the composition of aromatic tobacco on the palate.
What to do with the ashes of a cigar?
Effectively, it didn’t shake off all the time with burnt tip, as is the case with cigarettes. The ash from the cigar should have a chance nadbudować with out hindrance, till the second when he falls. Its size is a sworn statement to excellence cigars.
Repeat scorch
Cigars usually go out during smoking, particularly in the course of the ultimate third of the length. This does not imply that smoking needs to be thought to be completed. You can re-ignite a cigar, with out losing its taste inside an hour from stalling. Shouldn’t be left within the half-burnt cigar for the subsequent day – by the time it gets stale and will have a nasty taste.
Extinction
Most experienced people who smoke believe that the separation ought to happen with a cigar after smoking 2 / 3, when it extracted the perfect – as a result of the longer you smoke the cigar, the more it turns into a richer flavor and firmer in some way. Nevertheless, there is a massive group of people who smoke who consider that suspending the second of the cigar is a person matter. I’ve by no means put out a cigar and a cigarette. Just leave them within the ashtray, and soon extinguished the same.
Storing cigars
Handmade cigar retailer in the humidor – box manufactured from cedar wood, offering cygarom normal humidity. Humidor is supplied with a humidifier and a hygrometer, a humidity indicator. Cygarom favors the relative humidity (RH – Relative Humidity) of sixty five – seventy five%.
The proper temperature is 15.5 – 19 degrees Celsius.
Never store cigars in the refrigerator!
Four Suggestions for Lighting a Cigar
4 Tips for Lighting a Cigar
For brand spanking new people who smoke, lighting a cigar can appear as daunting as studying to choose an excellent single. Listed below are four tricks to guide you in lighting a cigar for the primary time.
1. Use cedar matches, if possible. In the event you want to make use of a lighter, be sure it is butane lighter to avoid robust odors.
2. Heat the open finish of the cigar (aka ‘the foot’ of the cigar) slowly over the flame, with out touching it to the fire. Let a black ring kind across the end.
3. Place the cigar in your mouth and draw in slowly. Hold the cigar over the flame, about half an inch above it, again without touching. Continue to attract in till the cigar attracts the flame. Flip the cigar slowly, spinning it to determine an excellent burn.
4. Once your cigar is lit, take it out of your mouth and observe the burn you’ve established. If the burn appears to be uneven, merely blow on the unlit sections to attract the burn, after which take one or two attracts from the cigar to reestablish a good burn.
Cigar Smoking Etiquette
Cigar Smoking Etiquette
Smoking cigars could also be a fantastic supply of pleasure in your life, but the courteous smoker knows that not everyone enjoys the style (or scent!) of an excellent Cuban. With the fervor of anti-smoking campaigns nonetheless in full swing, the significance of enjoying a very good stogie while not offending others can’t be confused enough. Simply do not forget that if you are smoking a cigar, it can be troublesome to gauge the odor that others are experiencing. And do not forget that cigar smokes can depart a mighty strong residue on clothing, furniture, and even the walls! To be able to enjoy your stogie without a heavy conscience, learn to turn into a considerate and courteous cigar smoker.
If you live with non-people who smoke, try to discover a nicely-ventilated space of your residence the place you can smoke comfortably. Although it could be tempting to lock your self away in an workplace or bed room, it is probably not a good idea to smoke in an enclosed area until it has a window. Be sure to have easy access to the window. By no means smoke in a closed area! You usually tend to inhale the toxic air from your individual cigar. If doable, go outdoors to smoke. Pull up a garden chair; loosen up on the porch, or some other open space the place you possibly can smoke comfortably. Get as far-off as doable to non-people who smoke, especially youngsters and the elderly. Keep in mind that cigar smoke accommodates many carcinogens that can be easily inhaled by non-smokers.
If you should smoke a cigar outside your own home, keep in mind that the courteous and respectful smoker will only light up the place legally permitted. Do no light up in a bar, lodge, or restaurant the place smoking is clearly prohibited. The courteous cigar smoker will also ensure to smoke within the company of different smokers. In case you are with somebody who does not smoke, ask his or her permission. In the event that they agree, be considerate about it. Be sure that the smoke isn’t wafting in their direction. Sit near an open window or space. Be certain that the air conditioner or present is transferring the smoke in their path! Also, make sure no one around you is eating. The secondhand smoke from a discourteous smoker is a surefire approach to break a meal.
A courteous cigar smoker will also concentrate on their ashes. Should you should smoke outdoors your private home, make certain to dispose of your ashes in a secure and applicable container. Remember that ashes can simply blow away, especially in lower high quality cigars. Do not litter with ashes, and be careful they don’t blow near anyone round you.
Cigar Smoking
Cigar Smoking
- Do You kow the basics of cigar smoking?
- How to light a cigar?
- How to draw on the cigar properly?
- Do you inhale?
- What are the dos and don’ts of cigar smoking?
If you have ever wondered any of these questions, read on. Here is a simple and accessible primer designed to help you gain familiarity with the sometimes confusing, always enigmatic world of cigar smoking.
First Step: Lighting Up
First, all new cigar people who smoke should learn to properly light a cigar. Use a clipper designed for cigars to clip off the sting of the pinnacle (the part you put to your mouth). If doable gentle the foot of your cigar with a cedar match. Keep away from regular cigarette lighters. They produce a nasty odor that can linger and smash an excellent cigar. If you happen to must use a lighter, use butane lighter. These will preserve the odor to a minimum. Nonetheless, it is best to all the time try to make use of a picket match as a result of lighters can simply taint the foot of your cigar. How do you light up? Merely strike a match and maintain the sting of your cigar over the flame. Avoid touching the cigar to the fireplace, merely maintain the cigar over the flame and draw deeply until the cigar is lit.
Second Step: Burn it down to a nub?
Should you burn your cigar all the way down to a nub? Consultants advocate you permit a minimum of two inches to your cigar. Even the best cigars will are inclined to get bitter in the event you let it burn all the way in which down. What about ashes? Must you knock the ashes off of your cigar? Quite than knocking the ashes off the sting, let the cigar rest in the ashtray while you’re not smoking it. The ashes will fall off naturally.
Third Step: Relax and Enjoy
A cigar should by no means be rushed. By design, cigars needs to be savored, preferably after dinner and with a glass of good brandy. Maintain the cigar between your thumb and fingers-the rest could be thought-about unhealthy taste. Also, do not inhale deeply. The smoke shouldn’t reach your lung. This is very bad for your health, and it’ll not make it easier to style the cigar any better. Of course, it’s best to at all times be considerate of these round you. If possible, smoke within the company of other cigar smokers. A superb cigar may be enjoyed alone and much more so with friends.
