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1. What is the best cigar?
The best cigar is the one which you believe to be the best cigar.
2. What percentage should my humidor maintain while storing my cigars?
The industry standard is 70/70. Meaning 70% relative humidity and 70° Fahrenheit. This is not however written in stone. It comes down to personal preference. Cuban cigars age better if stored at a lower humidity of 60-65%. Whereas Maduro's tend to smoke better if stored around 72%. Experiment with what you like and set your own standard. You are afterall the one smoking them.
3. Should I store my cigars in my humidor with the cellophane wrapper on or off?
That's your own personal preference.
4. Does white ash on a cigar mean a cigar is better quality?
No. The color of the ash actually has to do with the soil that the tobacco was grown in. White ash means the soil in which the tobacco leaf was grown was rich in phosphorus and calcium. Cuban cigars are regarded as the best cigars in the world, but are not known for having white ash. Cuban soil is low in calcium.
5. What kind of cutter should I use to cut my cigar?
The rule is: If it has a rounded head (Parejo) use a punch-style cutter. If it has a pointed or tapered head (Figurados) use a guillotine-style cutter. I personally always use a guillotine-style double-blade cutter. A punch-cut head tends to concentrate the drawn smoke on one small area of my tounge instead of allowing my entire mouth to enjoy the flavor. But that's just me.
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6. How should I cut the head of my cigar?
Never cut the cigar on or below cap level. Your goal is to take off just enough of the head to expose the filler leaves. Most importantly use a sharp cutter and make the cut clean and level. Otherwise you will have problems with the draw and you also risk damaging the wrapper.
7. Can I use my trusty old Zippo® lighter to light my cigars?
A great cigar can be ruined if improperly lit. Use a butane lighter or special long-burning matches designed for cigar smokers. But regular wooden book matches will do. Be careful to avoid matches with a high sulfer or wax content. A gasoline lighter (your trusty Zippo®) can impair the flavor of a cigar. Zippo® does however make butane lighters for cigar smoking. Check with your local tobacconist for any of these items.
8. Do I inhale the smoke?
No! The strong alkaline smoke and low nicotine content from a cigar will make you cough.
9. Do I leave the cigar band on when I smoke it?
That's up to you. If you choose to remove it, wait a few minutes till after you light it. This warms the cigar which in turn warms the cigar band and makes it easier to remove. Otherwise you risk damaging the wrapper.
10. Is it necessary to stub out a cigar like you would a cigarette?
No! Leave it in the ashtray to go out on its own. Stubbing your cigar out causes an unpleasant odor. When the cigar has gone out, dispose of it soon after. Otherwise you risk your room smelling like stale smoke.
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