Have a question regarding n/c cigars?

Ask it here and someone will be along to answer it shorty :-)

~Mark


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Does a fancier label make the cigar taste better? :-)
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:-)
Why clutter up a perfectly legitimate cigar related thread with an attempt at humor?
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Of course it does! All the opus x and diamond crown maximus taste good cuz of the gold foil...

Come on now?
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I thought it was inline with the culture of the forum... My apologies to the OP...
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OK here is something that I am embarrassed to ask but what the heck.

Why do we "toast" the foot?






Al walks away in shame of not knowing this after all these years..........
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Not so much as to the where as to the when. No doubt we are a fun loving group of inmates. But there is a time and place for humor. When tangential posts and humor are injected into threads that are meant to be informative, it makes reading them and finding the true value more difficult.

I certainly don't want to curtail any fun or humor.

Just my :-)
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Not to jump ahead of Al, but I have a question, too.

I read "somewhere" about "someone's" :-) misadventure with having his cigars stuck up someone else's nose. Common courtesy aside (i.e., asking permission to do it, first of all...) I've seen brothers (some here, that I respect) do the same thing. That is: put the foot of a cigar in their nostril and inhale deeply. In the misadventure above, the guy indicated it was to detect ammonia. Is that what you're trying to detect in that process? Or is it the general "pre-light aroma?"
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For me, it is pre-light aroma. And I certainly don't stick the cigar IN my nostril. And if its not my stick, it doesn't touch my nose at all.
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My understanding is that by toasting the foot it is easier to ensure an even burn throughout the cigar.
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Can someone give me a basic understanding of wraps? What are the flavor differences between Connecticut, Maduro, Natural, etc?

Plus, how does a different wrap generally change the flavor of a given cigar? To use a current popular cigar as an example -- the new special edition Oliva serie V Maduro. The wrap is the biggest difference between it and the "regular" Serie V, correct? How does that change the flavor profile?
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Here's a quick link that describes a few flavors you may pick up from different wrappers.

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/02/06/192227.php

Since everyone's palate is different, one's flavor pick up of cherry is anothers licorice.
The wrapper on a cigar is sometimes said to provide up to 60% of the flavor. Your example of the Oliva V Maduro is excellent since it's basically the same as the regular V. With a 60% change in flavor due to the wrapper, it's almost like smoking a completely different cigar.
La Aurora did a run of the 1495 series called the connoisseur collection that provided the same filler with 4 different wrappers (Connecticut, Cameroon, Brazil and Corojo). Each providing a completely different smoking experience.

-Evan
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I agree. Also, when you attempt to light a cigar by drawing on it, it seems to be bitter, like and overheated cigar (ex. smoking too quickly). I feel that by toasting the end, you get a cooler, smoother smoke and a more even burn throughout.
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I figured this would be as good a first post as any:-)

I am currently browsing cigarsinternational.com, and have my eyes on some cigars to try out for the first time. In my cart are a 5-pack or CAO MX2's and another 5-pack of Rocky Patel Fusions. Any other suggestions (top one or two for the beginner) as to which cigars would be wise in which to invest?

Also, I need a cutter and a lighter. I am set on the lighter, but am confused as to which type of cutter to get. I see more guillotines floating around than any other type, which would make it seem to me as though they are the most widely bought. Are there any issues with specific cutters regarding the condition of the cigar once cut?

Thank you in advance for the input!
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Check out Famous too...They have a buy 2 five packs get one free deal thats pretty sweet. Might save you a few bucks :-)

Sancho Panza (double mad..I prefer the extra fuerte though)
Oliva (G's maduro and nat)
Padron (x000 series)
Hoyo de Monterry (dark sumatra)
Punch

All great cigars for beginners and veterans alike :-)

Im not sure what lighter you're considering but save your cash and get a Ronson with some quality fuel.

Cutters...get a Xikar wolf 2 sized punch and a Palio cutter.
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SteveDMatt is a smart man. Toasting avoids overheating and gives a more even burn.

I've begun toasting the foot and blowing on it until I've got a good even cherry before I even take a draw. It makes for a much smoother smoke and a great burn. Try it.

BlackIrish
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I never toast. Never found that it made a difference.

:-)
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Great thread here that discusses these issues and more.

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showth...ed=1#post25523
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Exactly.

By creating an even light you create an even burn (unless there is something wrong with the smoke).

I hold the flame away from the foot as not to char it but let the heat of flame ignite the foot.

~Mark
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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?
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