That's what is said in the article I linked earlier.
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Ya I had an senior moment. I was writting in that response originally that what you had said was repeated and backe up. I just left that part out between what my brain said and what my fingers wrote.
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You have that too, huh? :-)
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Give the La Trviata by CAO a try. Great flavor with 4 diffrent finishes. I perfer the Toro size
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Quick question: Is the length and firmness of the ash (and, I guess, the amount of time it stays on) indicative of the quality of the cigar?

I ask because through general observation, the cigars that are supposed to be 'higher' quality have their ash stay on longer than budget smokes.
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Yes. A quality hand rolled cigar should be able to retain about 1" of ash if not exposed to wind or bumps. The amount of ash depends on the leaves used and mostly the rolling of the cigar. Machine rolled cigars will be much looser in general and ash easier than hand rolled and the more experienced the roller the better possible ash column.
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Thanks. That's what I figured.
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I'm moving beyond buying whatever cigars I can find here in town and would like to order some cigars online. Which online cigar stores are reputable? I've seen Cigars International mentioned here...even above in this thread...but where are most of you ordering your cigars from?? Thanks for your help.
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This should help you out.

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showpo...5&postcount=40
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I'm relatively new at ordering online also. But I've personally had good luck in the last few months with my orders from both CI and Famous. I was also impressed with my recent visit to the B&M Habana Premium Cigar Shoppe in Albany NY. I'm sure their online store would also be a good choice.

Edit:
Or like Jason said
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I just received some Perdomo Fresh Rolled. The blurb at CI says
"tobaccos are already aged yet they’re rolled and shipped immediately"

This makes me think most cigars must receive additional aging after they are rolled. Is this correct? I've seen at least one cigar described as being aged (for a year I think) after rolling and before shipping. But it seems like most cigar descriptions, if they mention aging at all, talk about aging before rolling. I am gradually getting ahead of myself and am keeping some cigars for as long as a couple months. Also I notice that famous dates their cigars with a received date which tells me they have aged at least that long before I get them.

Are there cigars which are well aged after rolling and others which are not? Is it a big deal? And if so how long is long enough to make a difference?
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Once tobacco leaf is harvested it is usually air-curred for cigars from 4 to 8 weeks. After that period it can be rolled into a cigar. In general though only the Cubans will roll cigars at this point. Most Non-Cuban manufacturers will age the curred tobacco for another year or more. Some non-cuban manufacturers will roll the cigars and then cure the whole rolled cigar for more time. This is done because a freshly curred then rolled cigar can go through an additional sick period when it begins to self cure. Tasting ammonia and other unpleasant aromas can be seen in this time, but this is an issue only with Cuban Cigars as all Non-Cuban manufacturers age beyound the sick period before they distribute for sale, AFAIK.

In general once a non-cuban is available for sale only the tobacco has been aged but some are aged after rolling, and this is usually indicated in the price of the cigar, higher price in non-cubans can be attributed to more aging time.
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So I found a cigar that i had cut but apparently never smoked, I vaguely remember cutting it around the end of July. My question is, after you cut a cigar does it begin to lose any flavor or anything?
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No negative effects at all. Before the Embargo many Cuban and American made cigars came pre-cut or punched. Many will cut a cigar, put it back in the humidor if the draw is too tight and revisit it in a week or two. :-)
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Awesome, I just wanted to make sure :-)
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Had a Troya last night from a tube that came Pre-Cut!:-)
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What does "predraw" mean?
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Been to a couple of B&M shops and when I smoke there they cut with a V cutter. My friend, who doesn't really smoke but pretends that he does, just gave me one.
My question is what benefit is it to cut with a V rather than a straight cut? How do I know which cigars to cut which way?
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Drawing on the cigar before lighting. Dry tasting, if you will.

I have found no particular benefit, I think it's mostly preference.

:-)
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[quote=NCRadioMan;978538]Drawing on the cigar before lighting. Dry tasting, if you will.

Thanks!
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