Cutting and toasting Torpedos... does anybody do this?

[MaledettoToscano]

I was browsing throgh cigar blogs yesterday, when I found , which makes some points on lighting torpedos (and I guess Belicoso) cigars, which are completely news to this newbie:

In the case of torpedo cigars, I prefer a different cutting and lighting up method. I start with the toasting and I only do the cutting afterwards. Thus, I obtain a stronger flavor in the first part. Usually, in the case of cigars featuring this shape, it is recommended that the smoking performances are checked after cutting. If they are too slow, the cutting can be adjusted to obtain the ideal smoking performances.

The "stronger flavour" part sounds a bit like BS to me but it does seem sensible when it comes to regulating the way the cigar smokes.

I was wondering you guys think of this. Bollocks or sensible idea? Anybody out there does this?

[bigbarneyhotdog]

I always regulate a torp this way, start with a small cut, if draw too tight then open her up some

[Paulie]

Sure, making the cut bigger always works with the way it draws. Not sure about 'toasting' it before cutting though, can't see how that would make the first part any stronger. Will need to try it and find out I guess.

[daverave999]

I don't know whether it would happen so often with torpedos so it may be irrelevant, but I try to remember to cut and take a test draw first to check the draw. If it's plugged then I don't light it up.

I'll agree with the regulating how it smokes by cutting more off if you want it easier to draw.

[Big J]

The first thing i do is, cut the cigar, do a pre-draw to check how the draw is.....if draw is not the way i like it, i cut again and then i toast the foot.

[MaledettoToscano]

Thanks everyone for the comments. What surprised me was really the toast before you cut thing, and as Paulie says, it doesn't make much sense to me either.

[cj121]

Sometimes my cigars burn all the way down without me cutting them at all. I find it makes for a waste of time and money in the most part, (little lol).


Mmm. Toasting pre-cut to get a stronger flavour in the first part? Maybe he chewed it

Not subscribing to that one, but everyone elses notes about trimming to suit the cigar/smoke I'm in agreement with.

[senor_robusto]

evening all,
i know i'm maybe off the mark or missing the point, but here's a video i found on the cigar aficiondo website that explains what you're talking about....... to a certain extent!

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1312377041?bclid=1078629812&bctid=1315783144

all the best,

alex, belfast

[cj121]

I haven't looked through that one tonight SB, but it has a chap lighting without cutting from memory doesn't it?

Horses for courses of course.

[MaledettoToscano]

Hi Alex, you hit the nail perfectly on the head, thanks

I still don't believe that the aromas are more intense if you light your gicar that way, but hey, I'll give it a go!

[senor_robusto]

hey MaledettoToscano,
glad to be of some assistance! i thought this technique was unusual and interesting, and kinda ritualistic! i've tried this a couple of times, though the first time i tried it was on a cohiba siglo VI (i've only ever had 2 of these, i bought a 3 pack a while ago and gave one to my father in law)! this way of lighting up seemed befitting a cigar of this caliber, i wanted to make it a special experience! i attempted the 3 match thing, ended up using about 6! lol! spending the 5 minutes toasting the foot before clipping the cap was well worth it, the aromas were enticing and wonderful! i can't say that it made the initial smoke any stronger, but it certainly set the mood and created a nice relaxed atmosphere to smoke a great cigar on a nice summer's evening! plus, it made me look like i knew what i was doing! lol!

all the best mate,

alex, belfast

[TJCoro]

Can't hurt, I guess!

evening all,
i know i'm maybe off the mark or missing the point, but here's a video i found on the cigar aficiondo website that explains what you're talking about....... to a certain extent!

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1312377041?bclid=1078629812&bctid=1315783144

all the best,

alex, belfast

Great Link, senor senor (sorry...one Robusto is one too many )

I seem to remember Senor Robusto posting an experience he had at a fine puro shop where he learned this method.

Like Gordon said in the video, I don't think it's something to use as a regular practice (too time consuming) but it is a nice ritual on those special occasions when enjoying your finest puros!

TJ

[cbob]

Thanks everyone for the comments. What surprised me was really the toast before you cut thing, and as Paulie says, it doesn't make much sense to me either.

The comments that Gordon Mott makes in the video are essentially the same as those I gleaned from Felix Hartmann who won the Cigar Somelier contest at the Habanos Festival last year. I met him when we were staying at the same hotel during the previous year's Festival (where he was runner-up) and I commented about the lighting technique used by the someliers.

His explanation was that lighting a cut cigar caused the initial charred flavours and any bad aromas from the match or the cedar spills used by the somelier to rise up through the body giving the first couple of puffs a bitter taste. He also explained that a somelier could not puff on a guest's cigar to get it going -the cigar had to be fully alight and ready to smoke when handed to the guest. Unlike Mr. Mott, one could not blow on the tip either, so the cigar is waved forth and back during the toasting of the foot to even out the light.

The "light before cutting" technique works well and results in softer, sweeter-certainly not stronger- first puffs.
I don't like using matches and find the soot and strong flavours from cedar spills to be offensive (if not pretentious) so I use a butane lighter. This is certainly faster and less trouble than "three matches" and yields the same results. I've been lighting my cigars this way whenever I'm ready to savour a really fine smoke.

Of course, being the kind of snarky dude I am, when I'm herfing with some good friends or with folks who take pains to show off their latest $125 lighters and $65 cutters, I'll often just bite the end off my cigar and light it with my soldering torch.