Everything You Need To Know About Cigars

This months issue is going to be a little different, there won't be a feature cigar. This months issue is going to tell you everything you need to know about cigars.

First off is the cigar size. Cigar sizes are represented in inches for the length followed by a number - the ring number. So if a cigar says that its a ring 44, the cigar thickness is 44/64 of an inch. You can find cigars ranging from ring 26 to larger ones produced today over an inch - ring 66.

Next is the cigar shape. Cigars are divided into two categories: those with straight sides - parejos - and those with irregular shapes - figurados. Parejos are the most common cigars, the majority of the smokers out there are more familiar with this one. Out of this category you can find most of the cigar sizes usually on the market - coronas, churchills, robustos, double coronas, panatelas, and londsdales.

Now Figurados, the ones with irregular shapes, can be recognized by the following types: Pyramid have a pointed closed head and widens to an open foot. Torpedo also with a pointed head, has a more closed foot. Perfecto has both heads closed. Culebra has three panatelas twisted together. Diademas is a big cigar with eight inches, with one or both heads closed like Perfecto.

We now move on to cigar color. Cigar colors are determined by the outside leaf - the wrapper - and are generally divided into six different categories. Maduro Dark Brown, like black coffee, Traditional Havana color, with a rich flavor, sweet taste. Colorado Maduro Dark Brown, aromatic, with a rich flavor, used in the best Honduran cigars. Colorado Reddish Dark Brown, aromatic, used by cameroon wrappers on well matured cigars. Colorado Claro Medium Brown, used on some Dominican Republic brands. Claro Pale Brown, also called natural, neutral flavor, used on Connecticut shade wrappers. Double Claro Greenish Brown, called Candela and AMS - American Market Standard, with wrappers that haven't achieved maturity, very mild, bland.

Next we will talk about cigar storage. To keep your cigars in perfect condition, they must be in very similar conditions of a semi-tropical environment, this means that you should keep them at around 18 degrees C (65 degrees F), and have a humidity level near 70%. Cigar storage is extremely important to avoid that cigars will lose their properties, losing aroma and becoming dry. If you are a regular smoker, a humidor will keep your cigars in perfect condition. Humidors are fitted with a hygrometer to control humidity and keep your cigars under recommended humidity conditions.

Now moving on to cutting cigars. Before smoking, the hand made cigars need to be cut at the closed end. This operation can be done with a cigar cutter guillotine, scissors, or punch. Some use a knife, but to achieve a good cut its very important that the cutter chosen is sharp. The cut must take off about two millimeters of the cap, at the top of the curve of the cigar closed end. This way you will not damage the wrapper.

We are now moving on to the final step, lighting. To light a cigar it's recommended that you choose a butane lighter or matches. There are some big and slow burning matches, but generally cigar smokers make a small bundle of two or four matches and let the sulfur burn. Gas lighters are not recommended because the odor can be smelled, or felt on the first puffs. Some smokers start lighting the cigar at 45 degree angles, dancing the flame on its foot, and at the same time rotating the cigar to be sure that it will light all the way around. You can also help the procedure by blowing through the cigar. This will also prevent you from having a puff with lighter gases, or sulfur from matches. On the other hand, others prefer to first hold them horizontally in contact with the flame until the end is equally burned and then putting the cigar on their lips. With the first puffs and rotating the cigar you will have control of lighting and at the same time, regulate the burn to be equal on the foot. To not overheat the cigar, and spoil its flavor, do not puff it frequently. If it goes out, tap the cigar to remove the ash and relight it. With the lighter put the wrapper similar on all its perimiter and then, light it again like you had a new one in hand.

So there you have it, I hope that now with this knowledge your cigar smoking will be much more enjoyable.