Thoughts on purging

I have heard all different opinions on purging cigars. I had a friend tell me if I need to relight a cigar, to purge while torching the foot. I've seen someone else purge several times throughout their cigar. One friend is convinced his cigar tastes better if he purges several times immediately after lighting up (even using butane, which has always never imparted a taste on my cigars).

I'm interested in hearing what different people's opinions are on this.

[Volusianator]

Purging is something that once you really, honestly get used to smoking cigars you'll rarely have to do. Back in the 90's I used to purge almost every cigar I had, now if I do three a year that's probably tops. Slow down your smoking, cut your cigar amply and you won't have to worry about purging.

[Ogre]

Originally Posted by Volusianator

Purging is something that once you really, honestly get used to smoking cigars you'll rarely have to do. Back in the 90's I used to purge almost every cigar I had, now if I do three a year that's probably tops. Slow down your smoking, cut your cigar amply and you won't have to worry about purging.

I am doing it less and less

[Emjaysmash]

Originally Posted by Ogre3239

I am doing it less and less

[Drez]

i do it once and a while. like stated above i just pace myself so there is no real need to purge.

Originally Posted by Drez

i do it once and a while. like stated above i just pace myself so there is no real need to purge.

You pace yourself, meaning if you smoke too quickly you need to purge. Why is this? To be clear, I don't purge my own cigars, it just seemed there were different schools of thought on this.

[G G]

I hardly ever do myself.

[hscmit]

if I can start to taste an unpleasant change in profile or build up of tar on the stick I will purge, but do it just to do it

[guitar4001]

Originally Posted by hscmit

if I can start to taste an unpleasant change in profile or build up of tar on the stick I will purge, but do it just to do it

same here. i do it on relight too.

[neoflex]

I usually purge right after lighting a stick before I take my first puff. Probably over kill but that's my ritual. I won't always purge while smoking unless I start to feel like I am getting unpleasant flavors which at that time I will purge like others have mentioned. If I know I will have to lay a stick down for a few minutes and there is a chance that it will go out than I will purge before laying it down and most definitely purge immediately after the relight which I do with a fresh stick anyway.

[icehog3]

I do it occassionally, really depends on the stick and how it is developing.

[Devanmc]

Originally Posted by Ogre3239

I am doing it less and less

Originally Posted by Emjaysmash

Originally Posted by ggainey

I hardly ever do myself.

its better off this way

[CigarNut]

Originally Posted by icehog3

I do it occassionally, really depends on the stick and how it is developing.

What Tom Said!

Originally Posted by icehog3

I do it occassionally, really depends on the stick and how it is developing.

I am with Tom on this one. For me, it varies from cigar to cigar, and occasion to occasion. Sometimes I smoke quickly, sometimes I drag out a smoke for a long time. Some sticks turn foul quickly, some never turn foul on me. It all depends on a few variables for me. For instance, recently I was smoking a cigar that I purged probably 3-4 times. That may be a bit extreme, but it helped the smoke get back on track and stay consistent in good flavor when it started to veer off into the odd flavor. But to answer the main question, YES I do purge on occasion and think there is value in purging.

[Zeuceone]

So smoking fast causes this need to purge?

[bobarian]

Originally Posted by Zeuceone

So smoking fast causes this need to purge?

Sometimes you will get off flavors no matter how slow or fast you smoke. Purging will reduce the amount and intensity of those bad flavors.

[Zeuceone]

Originally Posted by bobarian

Sometimes you will get off flavors no matter how slow or fast you smoke. Purging will reduce the amount and intensity of those bad flavors.

Thanks. I might have experience d off flavors.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Neens

I don't think I have ever done it. I just don't see why you would. Even if I were to let my cigar go out I would purge.

Originally Posted by bobarian

Purging will reduce the amount and intensity of those bad flavors.

That's why.

[Volusianator]

Again as I originally stated, I think if you seriously smoke cigars for several years, even with the "odd flavors" or tar build up, you will tend to purge less often as you just become accustom to it.

[bobarian]

Originally Posted by Volusianator

Again as I originally stated, I think if you seriously smoke cigars for several years, even with the "odd flavors" or tar build up, you will tend to purge less often as you just become accustom to it.

Why would you want to become "accustom" to tasting bad flavors? Do years of "seriously smoking cigars" lead one to settling for mediocrity? I smoke cigars seeking a pleasurably experience, always searching for the "perfect" cigar. There are times where purging will turn a cigar completely around. The day I become accustomed to tasting crap in a cigar is the day I stop smoking.