Cut or punch? Does it affect the experience?

[Guinness70]

I used a single 5.56mm punch (it's a sharpened shell, hence) on this Partagas and my tongue felt like it was shriveling. after smoking about 1/6 of the cigar, i cut the cap off and straight away that not so enjoyable shrinking of tongue sensation was gone and didn't return.
the air flow between a single punch hole and a full cut must be different. Air flow affects the burn. The burn affects the taste?

Or am i just imagining things?
Perhaps some of the more experienced smokers could do the experiment with one of their usual smokes.

uploadfromtaptalk1431410951762.jpgrealky enjoyed this Partagas, after cutting it. smoother and tastier.


?●》it is better to be full of whisky then to be full of shit《●?

[Wigan]

Yeah I prefer to cut. Used to punch as it made it seem more like a cig. (used to smoke cigs) Now find I get more flavour with cutting. Pretty sure its the "proper" way of doing it

[Motormadj]

I use both. I can never decide which I prefer.
At the moment im mostly using a punch as I definitely end up eating less of the cigar! lol.
However, it can change the characteristics of the smoke. Its another one of those things im afraid.

[Neil]

Ahhh, let's throw the spanner in the works. What about a "V" cut.
Personally my preferred cut


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[Rob Royston]

For me it's a punch for anything thinner than a corona. Anything else gets the chop.

[Johnny Thunder]

I started by using a punch but have tried a cutter on my last few smokes.
It is early days but I think I am starting to prefer the cutter. I am finding an easier draw and cooler smoke.
Like I say, early days though.

[oskihen]

Cut man myself probably 95% of the time

[PeeJay]

I just go with what I feel like at the time, on holiday last year though I punched at least twice a day for two weeks and got tongue burn (apologies to old sweats who've heard that story)

[cj121]

I generally punch, but make sure I use the widest guage punch per size of cigar. It's almost a cut as the ideal exhaust fits most of the top of the cap. I don't get tongue bite like some (smoked cigs for 30 years until last November, so I imagine that assisted in that department) but a small punch, for me at least, can sometimes overly concentrate the smoke and lead to a tarry build up.

[Emaresee]

I used to cut a feint slice off... then punch... and recently converted to a wholesome slice with a cutter. I was previously subjected to burnt taste buds... and have found a wider cut to be much more easy going and cooler. I tend to smoke robustos and similar shorter wider formats so it works well. I'd default back to a punch for a smaller narrower smoke.

[cj121]

The punch I use for larger RGs, has an 11mm diameter cut which hits the spot for robustos and the like. Well, I get on okay with it

[smokey joe]

So far I've only cut. I have 3 cutters. One of them has a back so the depth of cut is about 2mm & that can be quite useful.


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[Guinness70]

Thinking i need to do multiple punches with my 5.56mm to create a larger opening , like the four leaf clover punch. And just use the cutter when at hand. And need a sharper cutter

[Evildan]

I have only ever had super cheap cutters. Keen to buy a nice one but don't want to spend too much.
i also use a punch I made from a shell - I use that on milder cigars for a more concentrated flavour.

[Guinness70]

....
i also use a punch I made from a shell - I use that on milder cigars for a more concentrated flavour.

good thinking.