Cigar Ritual

[SHAMZ84]

Hey BOTL...

Was just wondering if any of you fellas have a ritual before or during your cigar.

I don't have one per se but I normally make sure I have my drink with me and check the lighter is good to go so I can sit and relax my cigar for the whole duration.

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[PeeJay]

Always have a drink, usually hazelnut coffee, generally light before cutting unless punched when I can put my thumb over the hole. Music outdoors, TV in the cabin.

[SHAMZ84]

Always have a drink, usually hazelnut coffee, generally light before cutting unless punched when I can put my thumb over the hole. Music outdoors, TV in the cabin.

O that's a new one to me lighting before cutting....any reason why or just order of preference.

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[PeeJay]

O that's a new one to me lighting before cutting....any reason why or just order of preference.

Quite simple, you don't suck the ignition fumes up the cigar and get a smoother smoke

[SHAMZ84]

O ok...will have to try that next time.

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[Krist]

I do the same regularly, I've taken to lighting until fully lit (either blowing on the foot gently or waving the cigar to ease it along), purging and then puffing, not every time, sometimes I'm running out of gas or using matches, but I do always purge as soon as it's lit.


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[Tom Major]

I like to make sure everything is ready before I start - drink, matches, journal if I smoke something new, some good movie or music to go along. Band is usually removed when I get close to burning it, then placed in the box after I'm done. If cigar was good, I leave it to go off on its own.

[Simon Bolivar]

If I am at home, firstly I have to decide what one or two I am going to smoke that day. Frankly no easy task when you have a reasonable collection, there's the favourites, there's the gifted sticks people are waiting to hear reviewed & the new boxes that your tempted to open - just to see how their developing. Decision made I usually put them in tubes to slip into my jacket. I do consider what to wear, as you may have noticed I like to dress for the occasion. For me smoking a fine, well aged Havana is a moment of celebration & for someone who lives in a uniform for 6 months a year, I like to dress in something up a little to reflect the particular occasion. I have no objection to just smoking in t shirt & shorts on the beach but if I am off to the cafe (where I am certainly thought of as that eccentric Englishman) or to the Cigar shop or club I'll find something more suitable. I Make sure I have my punch (it's on my key ring so usually to hand) & a cutter if smoking piramides. Nearly always start with a Coffee to get a better flav of the beginning of the smoke, which on long skinnies can be rather delicate to pair with alcohol. Then have a beer/whiskey standing by for the second half. Goes without saying I have my camera as it's kept on my belt, my phone just covers as a spare if problems with camera.
I also avoid smoking when really hacked off, I want to be at least in a neutral mood that the cigar might lift. Being in a good mood to start with always helps of course & the anticipation of smoking your cigar is usually more than enough to elevate your spirits.

[WDave40]

If I am at home, firstly I have to decide what one or two I am going to smoke that day. Frankly no easy task when you have a reasonable collection, there's the favourites, there's the gifted sticks people are waiting to hear reviewed & the new boxes that your tempted to open - just to see how their developing. Decision made I usually put them in tubes to slip into my jacket. I do consider what to wear, as you may have noticed I like to dress for the occasion. For me smoking a fine, well aged Havana is a moment of celebration & for someone who lives in a uniform for 6 months a year, I like to dress in something up a little to reflect the particular occasion. I have no objection to just smoking in t shirt & shorts on the beach but if I am off to the cafe (where I am certainly thought of as that eccentric Englishman) or to the Cigar shop or club I'll find something more suitable. I Make sure I have my punch (it's on my key ring so usually to hand) & a cutter if smoking piramides. Nearly always start with a Coffee to get a better flav of the beginning of the smoke, which on long skinnies can be rather delicate to pair with alcohol. Then have a beer/whiskey standing by for the second half. Goes without saying I have my camera as it's kept on my belt, my phone just covers as a spare if problems with camera.
I also avoid smoking when really hacked off, I want to be at least in a neutral mood that the cigar might lift. Being in a good mood to start with always helps of course & the anticipation of smoking your cigar is usually more than enough to elevate your spirits.

Sounds like a good ritual Simon.

Although if I was feeling in a low mood, I'd definitely have a stick. There's something about taking some time to yourself and concentrating only on your smoke etc that I find very relaxing and will always put me in a good mood

[SHAMZ84]

Simon i do love your style, and how much pride you take in enjoying your cigar!!

I do the same regularly, I've taken to lighting until fully lit (either blowing on the foot gently or waving the cigar to ease it along), purging and then puffing, not every time, sometimes I'm running out of gas or using matches, but I do always purge as soon as it's lit.


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Why do you purge as soon as it lit? is the same as why [MENTION=13402615]PeeJay[/MENTION] cut when lit, just to get rid of the lighter/burning fumes?

[TJCoro]

Got Me Hypnotized!

If I am at home, firstly I have to decide what one or two I am going to smoke that day. Frankly no easy task when you have a reasonable collection, there's the favourites, there's the gifted sticks people are waiting to hear reviewed & the new boxes that your tempted to open - just to see how their developing. Decision made I usually put them in tubes to slip into my jacket. I do consider what to wear, as you may have noticed I like to dress for the occasion. For me smoking a fine, well aged Havana is a moment of celebration & for someone who lives in a uniform for 6 months a year, I like to dress in something up a little to reflect the particular occasion. I have no objection to just smoking in t shirt & shorts on the beach but if I am off to the cafe (where I am certainly thought of as that eccentric Englishman) or to the Cigar shop or club I'll find something more suitable. I Make sure I have my punch (it's on my key ring so usually to hand) & a cutter if smoking piramides. Nearly always start with a Coffee to get a better flav of the beginning of the smoke, which on long skinnies can be rather delicate to pair with alcohol. Then have a beer/whiskey standing by for the second half. Goes without saying I have my camera as it's kept on my belt, my phone just covers as a spare if problems with camera.
I also avoid smoking when really hacked off, I want to be at least in a neutral mood that the cigar might lift. Being in a good mood to start with always helps of course & the anticipation of smoking your cigar is usually more than enough to elevate your spirits.

Hi Simon Bolivar!


Please fix the space bar on you keyboard!

Thank You!

Ricky Bobby

[TJCoro]

The Importance of Rituals!

As one of the newest members around here, I quickly learned the value of the Cigar Ritual! In addition to all those mentioned above - location, drink, music - I pay most attention to the ritual of lighting the cigar.

I mostly use a jet lighter to torch my cigars (something don TJ leaned at JJ Fox many years ago), but for those special cigars, I like to use a soft flame - either from a Montecristo lighter, a cedar spill, or via the 3-match method, which I recently learned about in the UKCF archives.

No doubt, rituals are a major component in the overall enjoyment of a fine cigar. Like dancing with a chicken before you bang the gong!



Ricky Bobby

[Krist]

Simon i do love your style, and how much pride you take in enjoying your cigar!!





Why do you purge as soon as it lit? is the same as why [MENTION=13402615]PeeJay[/MENTION] cut when lit, just to get rid of the lighter/burning fumes?

Exactly that, I found it helps and also purge if it's getting a bit bitter etc.

If you burn the foot too close to the lighter too, you can notice that the ash or leaf starts to react and 'bubble' as it kind of clumps together rather than being flaky or uniform (more noticeable on a relight) and for me this affects the taste so I like to burn it lightly until heated up enough then once established, purge quite strongly as I'm sure I can taste the overheating.

I think some of the cigars I have are pretty delicate or as Simon mentioned skinnys require a bit more care so like to try and ensure I make the smoke as clean as possible.


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[PeeJay]

someone who lives in a uniform for 6 months a year, I like to dress in something up a little to reflect the particular occasion.

That's interesting Simon, I'm the opposite. I've worn uniform for 39 years and I hate dressing up, mind you I can make an Armani suit look like Primani

[SHAMZ84]

i'll have to try both your techniques...see if it improves the flavour for me.. Cheers lads