Cigar Guide & Facts
Storing Your Cigars
Caring for Your Cigars | Cigar Sizes and Shapes | Smoking a Cigar
⇒ Do I need to season my humidor and how is it done?
1. Boveda Seasoning Packs:
2. The Wiping Method:
3. Other Methods:
⇒ Should I use tap water, distilled water or solution in my humidifier?
There are some humidifiers on the market that accept tap water and are able to contain contaminates, but I still suggest the use of propylene solution or distilled water in them if possible. In my opinion, 50/50 propylene solution is the best bet. This is a solution of 50% distilled water and 50% propylene glycol. The propylene glycol not only regulates humidity to 70%, it is also a mold inhibitor. Some smokers say they can taste the propylene glycol and others don't like the idea of adding chemicals to their cigar stash, but it is odorless and colorless, while being non toxic.
⇒ How long will my cigars last without humidification?
⇒ What else do I need for my humidor (humidifiers, hygrometers, etc.)?
With the exception of our higher end humidors and Madelaine humidors, many of our high quality humidors come with hygrometers and humidifiers that are sub par and are only included as a selling point.
If buying a humidor that does not come with a brand name hygrometer and humidifier, I strongly suggest that you purchase a high quality humidifier and hygrometer like our Madelaine executive and crystal series accessories or our line of Diamond Crown humidor accessories.
Check out "What hygrometer should I purchase and how do I calibrate my hygrometer?" for more info.
⇒ What temperature should I keep my cigars in?
The rule of thumb is 70% humidity and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. While this rule is generally accepted as the defacto condition for cigar storage, there are some different opinions on this rule. Many smokers of cigars with thick, dark wrappers prefer a humidity range of about 65% to 68% because they feel thick wrappers burn better at that humidity.
Also, we have heard of customers who prefer a humidity of 71% to 73% for more delicate wrapped cigars. It can be a matter of personal preference, but ideally you want to keep your cigars at or around 70% humidity and 70 degrees. Too wet and they will mold over and not burn correctly. Too dry and they will crack, lose their essential oils and burn too fast. This is again why a high quality humidor and proper setup is key.
⇒ Should I store my cigars in the refrigerator?
When it comes to short or long term cigar storage, there is no more suitable environment for cigars other than a high quality, kiln dried, Spanish cedar lined humidor. A refrigerator should never be a home for your cigars. I don't care what anyone says, a refrigerator has to be the most dangerous place for a cigar that I can imagine. (I suppose a paper shredder or a pit bull with a hobby for chewing on cigars might be worse...)
Cigars come from warm, humid locales. What is it like in a refrigerator? Cold and dry. Storing your cigar in a fridge will not only dry out your cigar, but will deplete the essential oils which are crucial to its flavor. The cigar would also start to contract to the point where it will crack and essentially become unsmokable. Unless you like the burn quality of a pile of dry leaves, save your fridge space for cold beers and sandwich meats, and leave your cigars in your humidor.
Caring for Your Cigars
Storing Your Cigars | Cigar Sizes and Shapes | Smoking a Cigar
⇒ My cigars have this white stuff that looks like mold on them, what should I do?
This could either be a blessing or a curse. Normally, the "white stuff" you see on a cigar is the essential oils of the cigar crystallizing and coming to the surface of the leaf, and is more often a light colored gray. This is an indication that the cigar is healthy and aging properly.
This white/gray powder is called "bloom" or "plume". In fact, it is preferred for the cigar to be in this state by many aficionados. You can usually differentiate plume from mold because plume powder will instantly brush off with your finger revealing the fresh and aged wrapper underneath. Mold will usually be green, white, or bluish and you will not be able to brush it off with your finger as it's "roots" are firmly implanted in the tobacco leaf. Mold tends to be more "fuzzy", not powdery.
If you see mold on any of your cigars take them out of you humidor immediately and inspect your other cigars and the sides of your humidor. The presence of mold is a good indication that your humidity is too high for proper cigar storage, or that you are not using the correct liquid in your humidification unit (some take tap water, some take distilled water, and some take solution.
If you are confused please give us a call or read the instructions for your particular humidifier). If you are suspicious that your hygrometer is not accurate, try re-adjusting it, or calibrating it. (See: How do I adjust my hygrometer). Usually cases of mold are an isolated incident contained to one batch of cigars. If the mold is not too bad and is contained to a small number of cigars, you can probably let them dry a bit to kill the mold. If the mold doesn't go away, don't smoke them, and don't put them back in your humidor! Another type of "white stuff" that can appear on cigars are mineral deposits, most often occurring when you are using tap water in your humidifier. Using tap water in a humidifier that is not specifically made for tap water is a big no no. Always consider whether the humidifier accepts distilled water, tap water, or propylene glycol solution. While mineral deposits won't ruin your cigar, the water that caused it still has many mold causing agents and other nasty chemicals and you should change to a propylene solution or distilled water as soon as possible, depending on what your humidifier needs.
⇒ Are aged cigars really better?
Aging cigars can be a rewarding and exciting experience. After a cigar is made it is still curing (aging), even after the initial curing process. Allowing a cigar to age can change the cigar's flavor and body over time and turn a cigar that may have been too "green" (not aged enough) into one of the best cigars you have ever smoked. This is similar to wine aging. Aging a cigar into something better than it was a year ago is one of the perks of being a cigar hobbyist.
Keep in mind that aging, when the cigar is kept at the right temperature and humidity (68% to 71% humidity, and as close to 70 degrees Fahrenheit as you can possibly get) and not exposed to mold, will never hurt a cigar. In fact, a cigar will last indefinitely if stored in the proper conditions. However, huge swings in temperature and humidity is cigar suicide and no amount of aging under improper storing conditions will make a cigar better, much less keep it in original condition.
Will your cigar get better with age? This depends on the quality of tobacco and the successful blending of the cigar. The saying is that "a good cigar will get better with age, but a bad cigar will always be a bad cigar."
However, it is probably true that some people wouldn't notice any difference between two cigars separated at birth: one aged and one not. Some cigar smokers even prefer a "new" cigar. Regardless of your preference, we do suggest that you give it a shot and add an extra dimension to your hobby.
⇒ Should I take my cigars out of the cellophane wrapper before placing them in my humidor?
The official answer is: It doesn't matter...sort of... Cigar wrapper cellophane is designed to be breathable and will not hurt the cigars ability to absorb moisture. The cellophane wrapper is designed to protect the cigar in the box and your humidor and is better to leave on than off. Some smokers talk about flavor marrying which supposedly can only be accomplished if the cigars are out of their cellophane and arranged near each other in the humidor. The theory states that all the cigars, if un-cellophaned, will marry and blend flavors with each other over time. I have serious doubts about this claim and have yet to see it proven, even within my own humidor. So, while the health of the cigar is not dependent on whether its cellophane wrapper is on or off, I would recommend that it be left on simply to protect the wrapper of the cigar from damage when you are rifling through your humidor for that perfect smoke. If you want to experiment with "flavor marrying" just make sure you cut your nails before handling your cigars!
⇒ What about tubed cigars? Should I take them out of the tube before placing them in my humidor?
It's not necessary. Humidity has the ability to get in and out of any medium that has the slightest opening. While the tube will prolong the life of the cigar out of a humidor, humidity with still come in and out of the tube freely, so putting a tubed cigar in a humidor will not prevent the cigar from absorbing humidity, even with the cap on tight. Taking the cigar out of the tube won't hurt it, provided that you don't damage the cigar removing it from the tube, but many tubes come with a cedar lining that will add more flavor to the cigar and the tube simply acts as another barrier of protection for when you are searching through your humidor. While cigar tubes create a convenient transportation device and do prolong the life of the cigar, they are not a long term storage solution by themselves. Even with the tube and the cap, after a month they will start to lose their moisture from the spaces in the thread of the cap. Even cork capped tubes will lose humidity through the pores of the cork. While tubes do preserve the cigar longer without a humidifier, you still need to get a humidor if you don't plan on smoking all of your tubed cigars within a month or if you plan on aging your cigars (See "Are Aged Cigars Really Better?")
⇒ Why do some cigars unravel?
Cigars usually unravel at the head because the cigar cap was cut off and there is nothing at the head of the cigar to hold the wrapper on. Proper cutting techniques are outlined below in Smoking a Cigar. If the cigar unravels at the foot, it could be an indication of a cigar that is not humidified correctly and is dried out so the natural adhesiveness of the cigar is no longer there to hold the wrapper to the body of the cigar. An unraveling cigar can indicate poor quality, but 9 times out of 10 (with premium cigars), the issue is due to dryness.
⇒ Can my dry / wet cigars be revived?
Yes and no. In most cases, it is better to have a dried out cigar than a wet one. First let's show you how to get a dry cigar back to normal. A cigar is dried out when too much moisture has escaped the cigar. This is most often not a death sentence, depending on how long the cigar has been exposed to dry air. Try leaving the cigar in a properly set up humidor for about three to four weeks and you should be good to go, but don't try to smoke it beforehand. If you check on your cigar after three to four weeks and it seems better, but not quite fully revived, try leaving it in the humidor a bit longer.
There is also technique where you can "flash humidify" a cigar by putting it in a Tupperware container with a humidification element. Since there is no Spanish cedar lining (like in most humidors) to regulate the humidity and prevent mold, it can over-humidify the cigar and make it even more difficult to bring back. This is very risky and I don't recommend it. A wet cigar can very often be a difficult problem to resolve. The wetness is not only a guaranteed magnet for mold, it also disrupts the oils and natural effects of the tobacco. If your cigar is too wet, simply leave it in a dry environment for enough time for it to dry out to a smoke-able state. This will only be successful if the cigar has not been over-humidified for a long period of time and is not rife with mold. If the cigar has too much mold on it, it may no longer be smokable.
Purchase a digital hygrometer if at all possible. A well calibrated digital hygrometer will ensure that either of the two situations listed above will be very unlikely provided you are paying attention.
⇒ I like to travel. What is the best way to travel with my cigars without damaging them?
We carry a large selection of Travel humidors, which can be found in the "Travel" section in the humidor button's pop down window. Travel humidors are designed to keep your cigars fresh while keeping them safe from the rigors of travel.
Cigar Sizes and Shapes
Storing Your Cigars | Caring for Your Cigars | Smoking a Cigar
⇒ Why does it say 50 ring gauge but when I measure it says 48?
Cigars are measured when they are freshly rolled and still very moist. When the cigar settles and dries to a nominal humidity of 70%, the cigar will sometimes shrink about 2 to 4 64ths of an inch (Ring Gauge). This is normal protocol for the cigar industry.
⇒ Are all the sizes in a particular brand really the same cigar, but just different sizes?
This depends on the manufacturer. Let's say we have a Revolucion Robusto and a Revolucion Churchill and they are both Cameroon wrapped with the same binder and filler. The same exact tobacco is created to make both and both will have similar qualities, but size is going to have a major impact on the taste due to the fact that they will burn differently and their differing lengths and widths will create a different flavor and temperature for the smoke. It's not that one is better than the other; different smokes for different folks. If everyone liked the same cigar, it would make the guys in the warehouse much happier.
Some manufacturers will create different blends for each size in a series to facilitate the burning characteristics for each cigar to actually make the cigars more homogeneous throughout the line, but this is more often seen on ultra-premium cigars. They are essentially changing the blend for each cigar to make them more alike throughout the line. However, if we are out of your favorite smoke, the next size up (or down) is going to be as close as you can get to that blend and will have the same tobacco.
⇒ What is the difference between a Pyramid, Torpedo, Perfecto, Figurado and Belisco?
Shaped cigars are very unique and usually only the best rollers at a particular factory are hired to roll them. When it comes to cigars that are "figured" or "tapered" there are many names to describe these special cigars. Just like wrapper shades, cigar companies can call any cigar anything they want. I have Torpedoes that are more like Figurados, Pyramids that are more like Belicosos, ad infinitum. Listed below are what these names refer to most of the time. A Pyramid tapers the entire length of the cigar from foot to head. A Torpedo only tapers off the head and the taper does not extend through the length of the cigar. A Belicoso is almost identical to a Torpedo but the taper is not as drastic and the tip tapers off very quickly. A Perfecto is like a Torpedo but both the foot and the head are tapered, creating a classic Cuban shape. A Figurado is like a Perfecto, but usually has a taper through the entire cigar plus both ends of the cigar are tapered like a Perfecto. This also refers to any odd size that a cigar maker may introduce.
⇒ What are the actual sizes of the typical size names (like Robusto & Churchhill, etc.)?
Again, there are many exceptions to cigar size naming. There are Lonsdales that are Robusto size, Lanceros that are Churchill size, etc. I will outline a few sizes and what their names are to give you a basic idea. Robusto - 5 x 50 Churchill - 7 x 48 Corona - 5 1/2 x 42 Belicoso -6 1/4 x 52 (tapered tip) Lonsdale -6 1/2 x 46 Lancero - 7 x 38 Toro - 6 x 50 And so on... There are many more sizes than this, but these are the most popular cigar sizes. If you are confused about a cigar size or name, simply give us a call!
⇒ What does "box-pressed" mean?
Box pressed means that the cigar has a square shape around it's diameter. Many smokers prefer this shape because they feel it sits in their mouth better and at least won't roll of a table if an ashtray is not close at hand. I'm not sure of the history of the shape, but box pressed cigars are normally shoved into boxes while still moist from rolling. The pressure of the cigars being packed tightly together in a box coerces the cigars into a square shape. Hence "box pressed" A quality of box pressed cigars is that they still contain the tobacco of a large ring gauge cigar, such as a 64, but presses the effective diameter down, which allows you the smoking characteristics of a large ring gauge cigar without having to dislocate your jaw.
Smoking a Cigar
Caring for Your Cigars | Cigar Sizes and Shapes | Storing Your Cigars
⇒ How do I smoke my cigar?
Again, we are entering the realm of personal opinion, and the methods I will outline are based off of my experience and the experience of smokers across the country. Before I begin, let me give you a tip if you're new to the cigar world: Don't Inhale! Your mouth and nose have more than enough capillaries and receptors to get the full flavor out of the cigar. I do have many customers who inhale, but they are a formidable coal mining, nail banging breed and are insane. Even if you are a chain smoker, inhaling your first cigar will have you "calling up Ralph on the big white telephone" quicker than you can say "Belicoso".
Almost every time I give a cigar to a friend who is a cigar novice, they almost always start puffing away like god gave last call. This is, in my opinion, the worst way to smoke a cigar. As I mentioned in the cigar lighting section, smoking a cigar hard and fast will cause too much heat in the cigar and will bring more tar and nasty stuff out of the tobacco leaf, leaving you with a bitter, acrid taste. I feel that a cigar should just be smoked hard enough to keep it lit. This will make the cigar burn coolly and evenly and give you the best flavor.
If you are a pipe smoker as well, you know that when you smoke your pipe too quickly, the tar and moisture of the pipe tobacco comes up into the mouthpiece and leaves you with a shot of bitter, salty liquid that is not very pleasant.
My favorite technique is to take a long, easy draw off of the cigar to fill my mouth with smoke. I keep it in there for a moment to introduce the smoke to my palate, but the mouth isn't the only body part that should benefit from the smoke. If you are blowing the smoke out really hard after you inhale, the smoke won't have an opportunity to reach your nose and you're missing out on the full experience. What I like to do is let the smoke naturally escape out of my mouth and drift up into my nostrils. I don't suck in the smoke with my nose, just let it drift into my nasal cavity. It's a real pleasure to get all of your senses in on the party.
Also for those of us who need a bit more punch, many people will take the smoke in their mouth and blow it out of their nose through the back of the palate, instead of having the smoke come in the nostrils. This gives you a much fuller bodied flavor and gets more of the capillaries and scent receptors in on the game.
How you smoke a cigar (or don't, many people also opt to chew on their smokes without lighting them) is up to you, but if you follow these tips, your introduction into cigardom will be a much smoother process, and a more enjoyable one.
⇒ Should I leave the cigar band on when I smoke it?
It doesn't really matter unless a wrapper is on the foot of a cigar where you light it like on the Rocky Patel Edge in which case you should remove the band. Many smokers say leaving the band on is arrogant and is parading your wealth inappropriately, especially if it is an ultra premium cigar. Others say it is a good indication as to when to stop smoking your cigar when the cigar burns all the way to the band.
Both of these theories are just that, and should not be considered gospel, but there is some validity to them. I personally like to leave the band on so I can continue to be reminded of the prestige of the cigar I'm smoking, as well as admire the thousands of dollars the cigar company has put into making a snazzy band.
However if you need to remove the band, whether due to the fact that the cigar still tastes amazing even though it is burning close to the band, or you just like a natural smoking experience, make sure that the cigar is warmed up first. If you try to remove the band before the cigar is warm, the glue that adheres the band to the cigar will still be hard and some of the glue that has dripped off the band will rip the wrapper leaf right off. Before you remove a band, let the cigar smoke for 15 minutes to warm up the glue so that it doesn't rip the cigar wrapper leaf.
⇒ What should I do if my cigar is not burning evenly?
The first question should be, why is my cigar burning unevenly? Problems like over humidification, under humidification, improper lighting, wind, drastic changes in temperature and cold environments can all cause a cigar to burn incorrectly. All of these issues are outlined in the FAQ. If your cigar is burning unevenly, simply hold a lighter an inch from the area that is not combusting and puff lightly. The non-combusted area should light right back up.
Don't expect every cigar to burn perfectly, and some may ignite a bit off kilter, but as long as the wrapper, binder, and filler are burning in unison, you should be fine. Of course, uneven burn could just be a badly made cigar, in which case you should call us for a return, but remember; if you have not followed the humidor and hygrometer set up instructions I have listed in this tutorial, none of your cigars will burn correctly.
⇒ How do I cut my cigar? What type of cutter should I be using?
While this question seems like a simple one, there are dozens of methods and techniques, when it comes to cutting a cigar. I will go over a basic description and the pros and cons of each cigar cutter design.
1. Guillotine:
The most common cut is made by a double or single guillotine cutter. Usually, this is used to cut only a portion of the cap off just enough to expose the inner binder and filler. Only a portion of the cap (the dome shaped piece of tobacco at the head that holds the wrapper onto the cigar) should be cut so that a remaining ring is left to secure the wrapper to the rest of the cigar. An easy way to know if your cutting to much is when you put the cigar in the guillotine and the cap is sticking out on the other side. The cap should be flush with the cutter when you are cutting it so that the cap is not completely removed. Pros: Cuts a large portion of the cap to reveal the full diameter of the cigar for maximum airflow and smoke density. Cons: Compromises the structural rigidity of the cap if not used correctly. An improperly cut cigar using a guillotine will make the wrapper unravel.
2. V Cutter:
Another cutter available is the V cutter, which is designed to cut a small v-shaped slit in the cap of the cigar so that the cap and overall shape of the cigar can be maintained. A V cutter is simple to use since the cigar is resting in a inverse dome on the cutter to support the cigar while you are cutting it, and it also maintains the cap better than the guillotine because only a small "v" is being cut out of the cigar. Pros: Easy to use. Maintains the overall shape and structural rigidity of the cigar and cap. Cons: Only opens a small slit in the cap which may cause a hotter smoke and also collect tar more readily, resulting in a bitter taste if you are hard drawer. Does not have the ease of draw and combustion qualities of a full cut.
3. Punch Cutter:
Punch cutters are also very popular due to their small sized and ease of use. A sharpened cylinder or "punch" simply cuts out a small hole in the cap of the cigar, which makes this cutter the best for maintaining the overall shape of the cigar. Many punches come on key chains guaranteeing that you will never be with out your cutter, so long as you remember your keys. Pros: Portable. Maintains the cap of the cigar better than a V or guillotine cutter. Ease of use. Cons: Like the V cutter, the small punch hole will sometimes cause a hot smoke and buildup of tar within the hole. Creates a hard draw on larger cigars.
4. Scissors:
If you are just itching for an old school cigar cutting experience, there is nothing better than a cigar specific scissor for your stogies. While these are most difficult cutters to use, they are able to adapt to any size of cigar instead of being limited to the diameter of the cutting area like on a V cutter or Guillotine cutter. With the prevalence of large ring gauge guillotine cutters now on the market, the benefit of a scissor type cutter becomes less apparent, but just like shaving with a straight razor, it's more about the experience than the actual result. A scissor cutter in the right hands will create a clean, open cut while making the operator look like a tried and true cigar expert. Pros: Can adapt to any cigar size. Old school flair. Cons: Hard to use. More advanced cutters work just as well without being difficult to use.
5. Teeth:
If Nancy Reagan were here, she would ask you to "Just Say No". I know they show it in the movies but unless you want a tobacco salad on the end of your cigar, I would avoid this method at all costs. I have seen some smokers rotate the cigar on their canine and make a perfect cut, but unless you smoke more cigars than you drink glasses of water in a day, I would stick the proven methods. Pros. It looks cool when done correctly. No need to buy a cutter. Cons. Will turn your $7 + cigar into a salad of wet tobacco. Picking tobacco out of your teeth – stained teeth.
⇒ How do I choose a cigar, humidor, lighter, or cutter that is right for me?
When choosing a humidor, you need to ask yourself how many cigars you have at any time. If you only smoke a box a month and only order when you are out, a 25 to 50 count humidor will be just fine. If you like a variety and have multiple boxes at a time, consider a 100 to 200 count humidor.
Keep in mind that the cigar capacity rating does not apply to all cigar sizes. A 25 count humidor may carry 25 coronas, but 25 Presidentes will not fit. If you buy a box of 25 large cigars at a time, A fifty count humidor will be more appropriate.
Regardless, a humidor should never be filled to the brim. Some space should be left to allow humidity to pass to the cigars. What I can tell you is if you're like me and lose anything smaller than a breadbox in about a week, look into less expensive disposable cutters and lighters.
However if you hold on to your goodies, we have many high end accessories that come with a life time warranty. For instance, our Xikar line has a no questions asked life time warranty, and all of their cutters have life time sharpening from the factory! If you need a recommendation, one of our sales associates will be more than happy to help. Give us a call!
⇒ How do I re-light my cigar?
First off, if you don't have the time to smoke a full cigar down to your fingers, don't smoke one. This is one of the main reasons why cigar companies make different sizes. If you have only 30 to 45 min to smoke a cigar stick with a Robusto, but if you have a couple of hours to kill, a Presidente might be in order.
However, if you just have to cut that Churchill short, there are a couple of techniques that won't have you lighting up a real stinker when you relight your cigar. When a cigar goes out, there is no more air or smoke moving through the cigar, which means that the smoke and tar that is already in there will settle and "flavor" the tobacco with a negative result.
If I know I'm going to put out a cigar to smoke it later, I gently blow out of the cigar so that I get all the stale smoke out of the cigar before I let it extinguish. This will have a cigar that while not at pre-light quality, will relight easier and without the nasty taste that you sometimes get when you relight a cigar that hasn't had the smoke evacuated from it.
Also, there are cigar tubes that extinguish the cigar by depriving it of air. Just put the cigar in the tube while lit, close the cap, and the cigar will automatically extinguish. The case also makes a great storage and transportation container.
⇒ What are seconds?
In the regular production line of a cigar there are cigars that are deemed unsaleable under the manufacturer's cigar name or line name due to minor imperfections. These imperfections might include small blemishes on the wrapper, too long or too short in length, or an imperfection in the shape. These seconds have the same tobacco as their higher end cigars that passed inspection and are still smokable.
Due to these imperfections, these seconds are sold under a different name for a significant discount. For example: Old Fashioned cigars are seconds of Macanudo cigars.
Give us a call and we will explain what seconds are and from which companies.
⇒ Can I call Man-Upp Cigars and ask a cigar question without feeling like an idiot?
Yes you can. We here at Man-Upp are more than happy to answer your questions. You can call 1-888-9MANUPP or email a question to manuppcigars@gmail.com. If anything, you should call us up with the full intention of picking our brains clean. An educated customer is our best customer, and you can use our info to impress (and belittle) your know-it-all cigar buddies.
