Man-Upp Cigars

Covering Your Ash...When to knock off Your Cigar Ash?

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 22:21:00 -0400

Covering Your Ash

Unlike smokers who let their cigars burn halfway down before flicking the ashes, I tend to ash often. I've noticed that my cigars often burn unevenly. Could this be related to how often I ash?

Posted: March 7, 2011

Yes, it could.

Oxygen feeds fire. The thicker the ash, the less oxygen reaches the burning portion of the cigar, and the slower it burns.

While too much ash can cause a cigar to go out more quickly, too little ash can cause it to burn too quickly and, often, unevenly. And with no ash to protect it, you may inadvertently knock off the entire burning portion, a.k.a. the "cherry," forcing you to re-light.

Ideally, try to keep the end of your cigar covered with a thin band of ash. It will protect the cherry and regulate the burn.

Band on the Cigar...When to Remove?

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 22:18:00 -0400

Band on the Cigar

Why do some people smoke their cigars for a few minutes before removing the band?

Posted: March 14, 2011

Because it reduces the likelihood of the wrapper leaf being damaged in the process.

Bands are attached with adhesive. If too much has been used, some may have seeped from the band onto the cigar's wrapper. If this has happened, the band, when removed, may take some of the wrapper with it.

Smoking the cigar for a few minutes first will soften the glue and loosen its hold on the wrapper, thus allowing you to slowly remove the band without tearing the outer leaf.

Bring Your Own Cigar?

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 22:12:00 -0400

Bring Your Own Cigar?

When going to a cigar lounge or bar, should you purchase a cigar from the establishment, or is it OK to bring your own?

Posted: March 21, 2011

It's fine to bring your own, but be aware of the law.

If a cigar lounge does not have a policy against bringing your own smokes, by all means bring them, but be sure to partake in the other amenities the lounge has to offer, such as fine spirits and rich cuisine. Don't expect to be welcomed if you simply wander in with your own cigar and ask for a tall glass of water. You are paying for the experience of indoor smoking—something of a rarity these days.

Try to stay informed of the local smoking policies in your city and state. Some laws, such as the one instituted in New York City, require that a certain percentage of a cigar bar's revenue come from the sale of tobacco to remain smoke-friendly. To keep your beloved cigar bar afloat in such a climate, it is necessary to purchase from the house every now and then.

Some, notably New York's Club Macanudo, require that patrons—if they have not rented one of the club's humidors—buy a cigar.

Don't begrudge the policy. Besides being a nice courtesy, your purchase could help keep the doors open for your fellow smokers. It's a small price to pay to keep a good cigar lounge in town.

What Does The Term Vintage Refer To?

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 22:06:00 -0400

Posted: March 28, 2011

It refers to the year the wrapper leaf was harvested, but not the rest of the blend.

Cigar makers throw the word "vintage" around pretty freely. Some vintage cigars simply refer to the fact that the tobacco is a few years old.

With General Cigar declares a Vintage, though, the meaning is very specific: The year the wrapper leaf was harvested. The filler and binder tobaccos are from recent harvests.

The years available at the moment are 1979, 1984, 1988, 1993, 1997, 2000 and 2007. General Cigar chose these years because they believed them to be extraordinary crops.