The Basics: Discovering Cuban Cigars
Smoking a fine Cuban cigar is an experience like no other.
It is not the same as smoking a cigarette.
A cigarette, is a machine made chemical laden abomination; cigarette smokers puff through more than 20 a day on average.
In contrast, most cigar smokers only smoke one cigar a week, with the remainder rarely exceeding more than one a day.
A Cuban cigar is an organically grown product created by artisans who have dedicated a lifetime to perfecting their craft. Every cigar has its own unique backstory, a journey it has travelled until it reached your care, you are now its custodian.
You will never find a cigar smoker braving the wind and rain like clockwork on the hour, desperate to get that next nicotine hit.
A cigar is to be appreciated, it requires a devotion of time. It requires you to stop, to disconnect.
As the world continues to move around you, it’s an opportunity for you to pause, an opportunity to reflect and strategise rather than just react. It is an opportunity to slow down, to contemplate.
So you have the time, now what?
Well, first comes the selection.
Consider how long you have available, what time of day it is, whether you have eaten or whether you haven’t. As a general rule of thumb, for me anyway, you would be looking at smaller, lower strength cigars during the day and something more substantial in terms of strength and smoke time after dinner.
Choose wisely, choose quality.
Next, you need to cut your cigar. A straight cut, a V cut or a punch are the options here. Remember, a Cuban cigar will cost you upwards of £20 per stick, do not cheap out on your tools, just don’t.
Why can’t you just bite the end off ? You are not a member of the A Team or a Cave Man.
I prefer a good simple straight cut. Great cutters are available from popular brands such as Colibri and Xikar. But, if you want to do it in real style look no further than Les Fines Lames. This independent French company create handcrafted cigar knives of unrivalled beauty that will last a lifetime.
A good clean cut should be made to the cap (a piece of wrapper leaf that encloses the head of the cigar). Make it fast and with conviction, avoid tearing the wrapper leaf at all costs. Practice restraint. Remember, you can take more off if you need to, you can’t add more if you did a hack job on it, so be careful.
Next comes the cold draw. Pull air through the cigar as if it were lit. This will give you a real teaser of the flavour profile you are likely to experience after lighting. Concentrate. Pay attention to the flavours and aroma but also the draw, if the draw is too tight correct your cut as needed.
You’re now ready to light.
The choices here are cigar matches, cedar spills or a butane lighter. I go with a lighter but any will do the job.
My preference is for a soft flame, I don’t subscribe to the benefits of the jet lighter. I have no intention of speeding up this process, my motivation is to take my time, I want to slow down not speed up.
My lighter recommendation takes us back to France and the quintessential ST Dupont finished in yellow gold. This is unquestionably one of the most elegant accessories money can buy, and it will light your cigar beautifully.
Now you will toast the foot of the cigar, holding it at a 45 degree angle and slowly rotating 2–3 inches over your soft flame until it begins to ignite. You do this to ensure all the components of the cigar ignite evenly rather than just parts of the filler.
It’s important you don’t skip this step and you must be diligent, taking your time will help ensure an even burn. When you achieve a consistent orange glow, gently blow the foot of the cigar to be absolutely certain of an even light.
At this point you’re there, let the cigar sit for 30 seconds or so before you take your first puff.
Settle in, you’ll be here a while.
