Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)

[68TriShield]

Originally Posted by Marcelo

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?

thanks

Leave them as they came,they will be fine.

[N2Advnture]

Originally Posted by safariguy

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?

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

[Chris.]

Originally Posted by safariguy

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?

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.

Originally Posted by Marcelo

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?

thanks

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.

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.

[bobarian]

Originally Posted by gnarly

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

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.

[Chris.]

Originally Posted by Slavac

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.

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).

[CigarNut]

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

[Whee]

Originally Posted by CigarNut

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

Puff Puff Pass

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

[Snake Hips]

Originally Posted by CigarNut

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

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.

[safariguy]

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?

[chippewastud79]

Originally Posted by safariguy

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?

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

[Whee]

Originally Posted by safariguy

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?

http://www.cigars4dummies.com/

[safariguy]

Originally Posted by illinoishoosier

http://www.cigars4dummies.com/

That ought to do it. Thanks, Friend.

[Zanaspus]

Originally Posted by safariguy

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?

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.

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

[bobarian]

Originally Posted by pgagnon

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

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.

tks for the info!!

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

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by pgagnon

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

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

tks for the quick answer!