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All Cigar Discussion>Beginner Questions (Ask Them Here!)
N2Advnture 05:08 PM 10-21-2008
Originally Posted by Sauer Grapes:
I've always wondered this... even if the flame doesn't touch the foot, doesn't the heat "char" the foot when it starts off gassing before it ignites?
Not nearly as much as when the flame (torch) touches the foot directly :-)
[Reply]
ahc4353 12:27 PM 10-29-2008
As for draw, I have seen the term loose, please explain as I enjoy a really easy draw.
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N2Advnture 12:31 PM 10-29-2008
Originally Posted by ahc4353:
As for draw, I have seen the term loose, please explain as I enjoy a really easy draw.
Loose & really easy are synonymous :-)
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ahc4353 12:33 PM 10-29-2008
Originally Posted by N2Advnture:
Loose & really easy are synonymous :-)
When I read the term loose for the first time it was as if the guy did not like it. Sounded like a complaint. Just wonder why a firmer draw would be liked. If I can get a mouthful of smoke by breathing it's perfect for me.

Thanks.
[Reply]
N2Advnture 12:37 PM 10-29-2008
Originally Posted by ahc4353:
When I read the term loose for the first time it was as if the guy did not like it. Sounded like a complaint. Just wonder why a firmer draw would be liked. If I can get a mouthful of smoke by breathing it's perfect for me.
Thanks.
Many (myself included) don't like a "loose" draw. A deliberate draw is more preferable (IMHO of course). A loose draw also typically indicates a degree of underfilling in the roll which tends not to age well since the tobacco shrinks as it ages. This creates an even looser draw down the road.

Additionally, I have found that a deliberate draw tends to create more subtle flavors because the loose draw tends to make for a hotter smoke (eg: faster burning).

I hope this helps

~Mark
[Reply]
DavenportESQ 12:41 PM 10-29-2008
Mark doesn't a loose draw also help the cigar heat up, and when the tobacco leaves get "too" hot they burn and disturb the actual flavor of the tobacco leaf?
[Reply]
ahc4353 12:41 PM 10-29-2008
Originally Posted by N2Advnture:
Many (myself included) don't like a "loose" draw. A deliberate draw is more preferable (IMHO of course). A loose draw also typically indicates a degree of underfilling in the roll which tends not to age well since the tobacco shrinks as it ages. This creates an even looser draw down the road.

Additionally, I have found that a deliberate draw tends to create more subtle flavors because the loose draw tends to make for a hotter smoke (eg: faster burning).

I hope this helps

~Mark
Mark,

Thanks for the info. I guess I need to smoke with a guy that knows the difference so I can have a "feel" for what would be considered "to loose".

Thanks again for all the help.
[Reply]
N2Advnture 12:47 PM 10-29-2008
Originally Posted by DavenportESQ:
Mark doesn't a loose draw also help the cigar heat up, and when the tobacco leaves get "too" hot they burn and disturb the actual flavor of the tobacco leaf?
Originally Posted by N2Advnture:
Additionally, I have found that a deliberate draw tends to create more subtle flavors because the loose draw tends to make for a hotter smoke (eg: faster burning).
I agree :-) (That's what I was trying to say at the end of the sentence :-))
[Reply]
DavenportESQ 01:57 PM 10-29-2008
I had heard this, but wasn't sure Thanks!
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ahc4353 02:08 PM 10-30-2008
How about this one.

I have a cigar band that says Triple Fermented on it.

What does that mean?
[Reply]
N2Advnture 05:02 PM 10-30-2008
Originally Posted by ahc4353:
How about this one.
I have a cigar band that says Triple Fermented on it.
What does that mean?
Cigar tobacco is cured & fermented (and sometimes aged) after harvesting.

The objectives of fermentation are:

- To transform the majority of proteins into amino acids.
- To reduce the contents of nitrogenous substances.
- To eliminate starches and sugars totally.
- To diminish the contents of nicotine.
- To transform the chemical composition of the leaves.
- To oxidize some pigments.
- To cause the presence of dark colors in the leaf.
- To diminish the thickness of the leaf.
- To stimulate the reactions of oxidation.
- To contribute to the ulterior development of the aroma of the leaf.

This is done typically two times for most cigars. Cohiba is know of it's triple fermentation as well as others.

Your cigar label indicates that it went through 3 fermentations (no kidding, right :-)).

Additionally, the "ammonia" or "sick period" that you sometimes get with cigars in the box is actually an additional 'mini' fermentation that they may go through.

I hope this helps

~Mark

.
[Reply]
Rabidsquirrel 06:00 PM 10-30-2008
How is a blend mixed? Do the blenders smoke leaves from a single batch or something similar to figure out what will go well with different crops?
[Reply]
N2Advnture 04:40 AM 10-31-2008
Originally Posted by Rabidsquirrel:
How is a blend mixed? Do the blenders smoke leaves from a single batch or something similar to figure out what will go well with different crops?
Once your reach a level 5 torcedor (or Torcedora for women), you are so familiar with the crop's selection and production that you can pretty much guess the results of the blend. With that said, they do "test" blends on new marcas / sizes prior to deciding the final blend.

Of course, as crops rotate the blends try to remain the same but the flavor profile would obviously change due to new crops & tobacco stains.

I hope this helps

~Mark


.
[Reply]
ahc4353 05:34 AM 10-31-2008
Mark,

Thank you for all the information. One last thing, are Cuban's done the same way?


Originally Posted by N2Advnture:
Cigar tobacco is cured & fermented (and sometimes aged) after harvesting.

The objectives of fermentation are:

- To transform the majority of proteins into amino acids.
- To reduce the contents of nitrogenous substances.
- To eliminate starches and sugars totally.
- To diminish the contents of nicotine.
- To transform the chemical composition of the leaves.
- To oxidize some pigments.
- To cause the presence of dark colors in the leaf.
- To diminish the thickness of the leaf.
- To stimulate the reactions of oxidation.
- To contribute to the ulterior development of the aroma of the leaf.

This is done typically two times for most cigars. Cohiba is know of it's triple fermentation as well as others.

Your cigar label indicates that it went through 3 fermentations (no kidding, right :-)).

Additionally, the "ammonia" or "sick period" that you sometimes get with cigars in the box is actually an additional 'mini' fermentation that they may go through.

I hope this helps

~Mark

.

[Reply]
N2Advnture 05:37 AM 10-31-2008
Originally Posted by ahc4353:
Mark,
Thank you for all the information. One last thing, are Cuban's done the same way?
Actually, I was speaking to CC's but assume it's the same for NC's.

~Mark

.
[Reply]
Rabidsquirrel 09:15 AM 10-31-2008
Thanks.
[Reply]
ahc4353 09:17 AM 10-31-2008
Originally Posted by N2Advnture:
Actually, I was speaking to CC's but assume it's the same for NC's.

~Mark

.
I have heard the term "forced fermented" for NC's any idea what this is?
[Reply]
bobarian 11:36 AM 10-31-2008
Originally Posted by ahc4353:
I have heard the term "forced fermented" for NC's any idea what this is?
Not positive, but I think this refers to the application of heat. Some maduro is "cooked" to get it to darken quicker than by natural fermentation.
[Reply]
N2Advnture 11:49 AM 10-31-2008
Correct but not sure if the "cooked" maduros is the same thing as "forced fermentation".

I know that heaters are in the fermentation sheds to help facility fermentation, sometimes referred to as "cooking".
[Reply]
Linus 07:31 AM 11-02-2008
Ok. I have a question: what's the significance of the different colours of ash? I've seen gray, brown/beige, white and black. I suspect there's a chemical reason for it but I was curious if anyone knows of a layman's definition of each.
[Reply]
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