Sunday, November 16, 2008

There is a proper way for that cigar!

Cigar smoking may be a less encouraged act but if you just love it and cannot stop it, all you have to do is to do it in a proper manner. What could be the proper way? Is there a difference if you do it right or wrong? Yes, there are especially health effects. When you think you have such an insufficient knowledge on cigar smoking, you would definitely need these tips to guide you.

• Avoid cancer; do not inhale while you smoke

We know that inhaling cigar smoke could cause cancer and many people around the world are experiencing this health alarm. You could ignore this health problem if you try not to inhale the smoke from the cigar.

• Age matters this time

When you age your cigars, it is a good method for it would not only improve the taste of your cigar but as well as protect your cigar from the effects of improper handling and storing. When you keep your cigar in the right humidor, you would surely enjoy the pleasure of it especially months after.

• Better not put it there

As you light a cigar and decided not to finish smoking it, never put it back inside a humidor. It would not be good for the other cigars. It would just even spoil them. When you light and smoke it partially, better put it somewhere and not inside your humidor with the rest of your cigars.

• Drink and smoke the right cigar.

People usually smoke while drinking. If this population of individuals includes you, see to it that you choose a drink that could not be overpowered by your cigar. There would be no use if you stick with a cigar that has stronger taste than what you are drinking. You would surely not enjoy both.

• Butane lighter lights out the taste

You have to use butane lighter in order for you to enjoy the taste of your cigar and it could surely be more enjoyable when it comes to taste. You could also use the usual match but see to it that you let the sulfur burn out.

These are just some of the many tips you have to equip yourself especially if you are fond of smoking cigars. You have to consider your own satisfaction. These tips are surely of help.

Tips on buying the cigar for you

King Edward VII, President Ulysses S. Grant, Sigmund Freud, Karl Marx… these are names, and not mere names, but names that are huge in history. Could you draw out any difference or any common point among these men? Well, the fact is-they were all heavy cigar smokers.

Cigars and men, what is with this pair? In the past, there was that stereotype that only rich males are the ones who smoke cigar. Nowadays, there is no definite line that separates the rich men from the not-so-rich men when it is going to be based with cigar smoking. Any man and today woman could buy and enjoy a stick, sticks or many sticks of cigar.

There is one thing certain. There is a difference between the excellent and poor cigar. You must know if that cigar is worth-buying. There are certain tips to follow when buying one.

1. Observe if the wrapper has smooth and a bit shine feature. Make sure that it does not have blemishes and it must not be too firm.

2. Give the cigar a gentle squeeze. This way you would be able to determine if indeed it is good enough if it is resilient to hold its shape when you press it.

3. Refrain from choosing a cigar with soft or hard spots because it is a sign that it is not of good quality and not of good construction.

4. Try to take a smell of the cigar and if it does not have that aroma, drop it off.

5. Refrain from buying a lumpy cigar. Yopu could check out if its lumpy or not by giving it a gentle squeeze. Also check the wrapper. Reffrain from picking cigars that have wrapper discoloration.

6. Make your present more special by adding up a cigar cutter or an ashtray that would impress the receiver.

7. Give it with sincerity of course.

It is fun to hear lines like: “Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar." This is according to Sir Sigmund Freud. "A woman is only a woman: but a good cigar is a smoke.” this one is according Sir Rudyard Kipling in his poetry. This only shows how cigar smoking is regarded by men since then.
Now, even women are into smoking. Despite all the health hazards, people still go on smoking for no general reason at all.
What matters is that smoking must be done with moderation and responsibility. Not merely smoke because you want to show-off your so vcalled “manly’ thing.

When do cigars really taste good?

Smokers are not choosy when or when not to smoke cigars. But, did you know that there are indeed great times when you would be able to smoke cigar and savor the greatest taste it could offer. These may seem odd but really true and those who are familiar with these times could surely attest to this one.

Here are some of the most wonderful times when you could smoke and feel every strand of it flowing through your throat smoothly:

1. Happy birthday to me

Well, it is your day and gives yourself a break. Smoking a good cigar on your birthday would really be something you could give to your very self. You could have this as your way of celebrating life.

2. After thanksgiving puff it out

During this meal, which could be one the biggest sumptuous meals you could have for the whole year, it would be good if you enjoy a great smoke after filling up your stomach. A smoke would come really great with a dessert drink as well.

3. A milestone, a smoke

There are these great moments in your life when you bring out that achiever in you. You deserve to celebrate! As you smoke, you could remind yourself how good you were on doing such a great job.

4. Weekend escapade

You could turn out the weekend into a great one. After a tiring week at work, give yourself a treat by just sitting around, feeling the breeze, the empty schedule, just feeling lazy and chilling.

5. Gamble and have a cigar

There is that “manly” effect caused by smoking while gambling. This could also help you out in relaxing while enjoying the game you are playing. This is a very good way of gambling, you take control of your luck as you taste your favorite cigar.

These are worth the smoke moments and you do not want to miss them, do you? Well, it is your moment and celebrate with the great way of relaxing, feeling free, letting loose and that is by smoking your favorite cigar.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Choosing the Best Ashtray for Cigar Smoking

Is an ashtray just an ashtray? Unlike regular cigarettes, cigars need their own special space to support their girth and ashes. Many cigar aficionados swear by the pleasures of finding the proper place to hold their cigars and ashes.

So what are the characteristics of a good ashtray? First of course, make sure the ashtray you buy is big enough to hold your cigars. Cigars come in varying sizes, so you will want an ashtray that can accommodate the single of your choice. Next, consider your personal style of smoking. Do you produce a lot of ash? Do you let your cigar rest for extended periods of time? These are all important considerations when choosing your ashtray.

Look for ashtrays made of metal, heavy glass, or ceramics. Ideally, you will want the ashtray to be big enough to hold the ashes for two cigars.

Where can you find the best ashtrays for your cigars? Many cigar aficionados swear by antique ashtrays. Search out flea markets and antique stores for good deals. Tobacco shops, mail order catalogues, and Internet shops are also good places to look.

Check the Ashtray: Using Ashes to Determine the Quality of Your Cigar

How to tell if your cigar is of the highest quality? Check the ashtray—the ashes left behind can speak volumes about the quality of your cigar. Here a few simple tips to determining the quality of your cigar.

First, note how fast your cigar burns. A cigar that seems to burn too quickly or disposes ashes that break apart easily is probably a lower quality cigar. If the ashes seem too messy, and don't break apart together, this may also indicate a lower quality cigar. Also, check the color of the ashes. If the ash color seems to change, the tobacco leaf mix may be of poorer quality.

The highest quality cigars, those that are well packed, will burn very slowly and burn stiff ash. The 'stiff ash' can remain intact up to two to three inches long, and remain on the cigar without breaking apart. A high quality cigar can be burned down to the nub. Even high quality cigars may vary in taste, especially when they are smoked down to the nub. Many times, you can usually get 'burn past' these bitter spots by letting the cigar burn on its own for a few minutes.

All Styles and Sizes: The Basic Types of Cigars

For the new smoker, the different styles and sizes of cigars can seem mind-boggling. It helps to know that all cigars can be divided into two broad categories: parejos and figurados.

Parejos refers to cigars that are basically straight. They are subdivided into three categories: coronas, panatelas, and lonsdales. Coronas come in a variety of styles and famous brands. They are known as cigars with an 'open foot' (or tip) and a rounded head. Panatelas are generally longer than coronas, are thinner. Lonsdales are also longer than coronas, but are thinner than panatelas.

The second basic category consists of the figurados. Figurados refers to cigars with that are irregular or somehow hand-shaped so that they are not strictly straight. The smallest type of figurados is the belicoso cigars, which are known for a larger foot and a smaller, rounded head. Another basic figurado cigar is the pyramid, which have pointed heads that taper to a large foot. The perfecto is a figurado cigar that is tapered on both the head and foot, with a thinner middle. The largest figurado is the diademas, known as the 'giant' of cigars because it is always eight inches or longer.

4 Tips for Lighting a Cigar

For new smokers, lighting a cigar can seem as daunting as learning to choose a good single. Here are four tips to guide you in lighting a cigar for the first time.

1. Use cedar matches, if possible. If you prefer to use a lighter, make sure it's butane lighter to avoid strong odors.

2. Warm the open end of the cigar (aka 'the foot' of the cigar) slowly over the flame, without touching it to the fire. Let a black ring form around 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 draw in until the cigar draws the flame. Turn the cigar slowly, spinning it to establish an even burn.

4. Once your cigar is lit, take it out of your mouth and observe the burn you have established. If the burn appears to be uneven, simply blow on the unlit sections to draw the burn, and then take one or two draws from the cigar to reestablish an even burn.