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Was it a one jet torch or more? More than one jet burns faster and hotter and you must hold the flame back from the foot to toast rather than burn.

Make sure you hold the lighter and flame back from the cigar. You only want the very tip of the flame touching ever-so-gently to the foot of the cigar (some people won't even let the tip touch). You can either rotate the foot around to evenly toast it or move the flame around.

Once you think it is lit blow on the foot gently to make sure it is lit evenly. The foot will begin to glow where it is toasted properly.

It should be ready to smoke after that!

BTW - Burning the foot rather than toasting can effect flavor!!!:2

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I cut my torpedos at an angle. Usually I will cut about 3/8" off at about a 40degree angle. I will then test the draw, if its too tight I cut a bit more off. The caps on many torpedoes will go up nearly an inch, so cutting at an angle gives more surface area to draw. Also the draw will sometimes tighten up when smoking a torp so recutting another 1/4" doesnt cut past the cap. But there is no wrong or right way. :2

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Cut a small bit and test the draw. If it's too tight, cut a hair more, test again. Rinse and repeat until you get a draw you are satisfied with. Just don't cut more than 3/4" typically.

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I usually start with clipping a quarter inch off and go from there.

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I was taught to "Toast" the foot first, never letting the flame touch the foot. Give a few quick puffs and it should be lit. Most of the time, though, I do end up applying a little flame to the foot as I draw to ensure I get it lit. Try to avoid setting the foot on fire.:r Charring can cause the bitterness, give a few outward puffs before you draw if you think you charred it.

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What's the best way to really taste the flavor and intricacies of the cigar? I have my wine and coffee tasting techniques down where I can really appreciate both arts, but I've never learned it with cigars.

How hard do you draw on it? how long do you hold the smoke in your mouth? Do you stir your tongue around? Touch your tongue to the roof of your mouth before or after you exhale? Short quick puffs or long draws? Close your eyes? Smelling the wrapper after it's lit? Smelling the second-hand smoke after you've exhaled? Frequency of puffing? etc.

I also like to pair my cigars with bourbon or beer (sometimes wine or cocktails). I know this affects the taste, but it's enjoyable. To really know the cigar should I stick with club soda?

I know much of this could come down to preference, but I think it would be interesting.

Thanks,

Wyatt

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I do this as well :tu

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Hold the flame away from the foot of the cigar and let the heat from the flame light it - ie the flame doesn't touch the foot.

I hope this helps

~Mark

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I tried this last night and felt like it took 15 minutes to get it lit. OK that's an exageration but seriosly it took a really long time and I am surprised my lighter held out. Is this just something that I need to get the knack of and it will take less time the more I practice?

Storing
 

Im new to storing cigars, i usually smoke them when i recieve them, but I am deploying really soon here and I thought I would set up a humidor. I bought a large humidor and many cigars to fill it up with. i set up the humidor correctly and had no probs with that, but the cigars are individually wrapped, so the question being should i remove the wrappers for storing and then have my wife put the cigars back in the wrapper when she ships them to me? a lot of cigars will be in the humidor for a while, a month or more at a time before being shipped to me.
what would be the best process to do this? :confused:

thanks

Re: Storing
 

Leave them as they came,they will be fine.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Hold it just above the flame not too high though. Think about when you hold your hand over a match and how close you can get to it without touching the flame but it still burns your hand like an m fer

Re: Storing
 

Make sure you are doing this in a windless environment. If there is wind present, you will have to bring the flame a bit closer. With torch lighters you can see the two different cones. Bring the outer cone to 'almost touching' the foot, and you should start to see it turning red. Hold it on one spot until it turns red and move to another spot. Don't forget to go back over that first spot for a quick round to make sure it doesn't get cold though! you'll get the hang of it. It takes me about 20-30 seconds to light a cigar depending on size. BTW: these rules are for single flame lighters. The multiple torch lighters have a slightly different rule since they have a much more intense/hot flame.

What wrappers? The cellophane? Leave that on. It is no problem at all. Some people claim that aging a cigar is better with the cello off, but over the course of a month or two, it's no biggie.:tu

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Should I keep cigars that come in tins in the tins? Or should I remove the cigars from the tins before storing in my humidor?

Thanks guys.

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Depending on the origin of the cigar, retrohaling or snorking(exhaling through the nose) is the best way to make full use of your olfactory senses. You actually will "taste" quite a bit more using your nose. It takes some practice to exhale through your nose without taking any smoke into your throat or lungs, but you will be rewarded.

As far as pairings, I prefer water for taste tests. All drinks will affect taste and it takes quite a while to find the perfect pairings. As with wine and food, some pairings will work others may not. Try different pairings with the same cigar. Strong cigars like Pepin's may be able to stand up to a good bourbon or scotch. But others will be overwhelmed by the alcohol. Rootbeer is a good pairing, while I think Coke is a bit too strong for many smokes.

This all goes out the door when herfing(smoking multiple cigars with friends). Knowing I may smoke up to 8 cigars in a day, I try to start out with more mild or floral smokes and move to more full bodied as the herf goes on. If you start out with something like and Opus or a DPG Blue, it will be difficult for you to taste anything in a lighter cigar like a Padron Anni later in the day.

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I've always taken mine out of tins, but that was mainly due to storage restrictions. It shouldn't effect anything to stay in the tins though. They aren't air tight, so the cigars will still get humidified. I would leave the tins popped up though(open but not ajar).

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What does "PPP" mean in reference giving someone a cigar?

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Puff Puff Pass:tu

Offers a chance to multiple people to taste a cigar, Good, social herfing activity

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Puff Puff Pass. It's when a group of guys at a herf take turns passing around a cigar (usually many cigars), and it's what it sounds like - take a puff or two, pass it to the next guy. It's a way to share a great cigar (or a gag cigar ;)) with some other guys.

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I have seached this site pretty extensively looking for a "cigar guide for newbs and/or dummies." Found the guide for frequently used terms and acronyms which is great, but does not really the explain what a lot of the terms mean. I've searched the internet too but mostly just find retailers' sites. Any suggestions?

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Which terms are you having trouble with? A more specific question may be in order.

Retailers can be found in this thread http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1612

I suggest The Party Source, best prices to be found :tu

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

http://www.cigars4dummies.com/

:tu

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That ought to do it. Thanks, Friend.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

http://www.cigaradvisor.com/index.cfm

Is quite nice too. Keep in mind it's affiliated with Famous, so be slightly wary of their reviews(in spite of the fact that I've found them pretty fair with what I've smoked.). Other than that, heaps of useful starter info.

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lets say im looking at a box code GEA ABR 08 does the 08m mean 2008?

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Yes. Current box codes indicate Month and Year. The box you list would ba April 2008. GEA is a factory code, but since about 2005 factory codes have not been consistent. Often the same code may be used at multiple factories, so factory codes are not reliable. For older codes I dont have the link on hand, sorry.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

tks for the info!!

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

in your humidor, do you put all your different single together? and does it alter their flavor if yo do?

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As long as you don't put any flavored or infused cigars in there (i.e., Acids, etc), you will be fine.

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tks for the quick answer!

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We aims to please. :)

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maybe you dont wanna say that :D

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Reasonable requests. ;)

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

im a reasonable person am i not?

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What would be considered too humid in my humidor?

I seasoned and let it sit for a few days, then checked today as I was dropping in some new cigars and it was reading 74.....it was 70 prior to putting the first batch in.........:confused:

Anyway, it is now getting a little more full and I will be interested if I can get the 20 in that should be delivered tomorrow....

Long story short.... Do I need to "worry" about 74? Should I pull everything, put it back in the travel humibag thing I was using and go back to square one.....?

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

I depends on your preference to be honest...Some like their cigars on the more humid side due to flavors..but most people IIRC keep their cigars below or at 65%. Worst case scenario is that you have you take them out and dry them up a bit before smoking..I think mold is a possibility when talking about long term storage at 70%+

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

My first question(s) would be these:

1.) How did you season it and for how long?
2.) Have you calibrated your digital hygrometer?
3.) What humidification device are you using?

Just a note. Adding new cigars can easily raise your RH level as most shops tend to over humidify them to account for travel time and the fact that most customers don't have humidors (or have humidors that are set up properly).

I hope this helps

~Mark

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1. Just did what many describe/my B&M recommended. Light wipe down with distilled water, then a saucer with DW left in the bottom 2 nights(Friday/Saturday). Xikar humidifier added on Saturday. Humidifier alone Sunday. Xikar hygrometer reading 70. Cigars added Monday. Noticed today adding more that I am at 74. Cigars added at first were from a humibag and had been with me for days.

2. As I read finding out if I should be worried about this level of humidity, it becomes clear that this is a step that I overlooked.

3. Xikar humidifier.


This obviously describes me....:o

So what is your advice now...... Pull everything....or just leave it as I calibrate....?

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

I would just leave it in there. Make sure temps dont go above 70 degrees. Thats when beetles start hatching.

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Temps should be fine.....reading 17C.

Does that need calibration as well?

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I don't know how you could calibrate the temp...

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I've a few bundles of cigars that came wrapped in cello (the entire bundle, not each individual cigar).

Should I remove the outer cello from the bundle to help w/ aging?

For the record these are Nic 3000's I"m aging for a year+.

Thanks!

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

B&Ms store their bundles in the cello, so it can't hurt. I'm sure they will age better with the cello opened up though.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/362/humidor.jpg

Temp up a touch, humidity down a touch. Glass Hygrometer is at 61, I hear that are not very accurate......

Will go calibrate the digital.....

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Hey everyone, hope you all are doing well. I am pretty new to cigars, as previously mentioned in my intro and post about beads, and am wondering, what are some cigars I should be looking to try? Right now, I have set up my 40 cigar humi and have just about 7 or 8 sticks in there. Not a lot, i know. I have recently discovered Cigar Monster and have seen what i consider some pretty sweet deals there. Pretty much, i want to know,
- What should a Newbie as my self be on the lookout for?
- What Cigars are must haves for you veterans out there that you may have seen on CM or can recommend?
- Is CM a good place to buy?

I want to fill that humi, but of course, i want to in moderation. Sorry if i am posting in the wrong spot, but i saw beginner questions, so i thought maybe i could post here. Thanks in advance.

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Honestly, smoke everything you can get your hands on. Try a ton of stuff. There are 1000's of people on here and no one humidor looks exactly like another.

Try reading through the reviews here and see if there are notes about cigars that have flavors you like and try to pick them up as singles. :tu

Don't go crazy buying things just because there are good deals, there will always be good deals but just because a dog rocket is half price for a box you still get a half-priced box of dog rockets. Wait until you know what you like before you start buying boxes on sites like Monster, The Devil and Joe. :2

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

I wasn't going to buy a box, just checking out some samplers :/ . But anything you would recommend that is mild and good for a rookie? Maybe to help develop my pallette?

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Perdomo Lot 23, 5 Vegas A and Classic, Padron Anniversary Series, Any AVO. All these seem to be milder to me but still very flavorful. :tu

AVO is the most consistent cigar in my opinion and have lots of different flavors depending on which one you try. :2

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

I say el triunfador. Let it rest a few months before you smoke it though. Try the fuente short story as well

Re: Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
 

Mild: 5 Vegas Gold
Carlos Torano "Casa Torano":tu