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Clippers, cutters, etc.
The first thing you should do is closely examine the "head" of the cigar - this
is the closed end that needs to be clipped. Almost all have what is called a "cap" - a bit of tobacco leaf used to close of
the end - you should be able to see how far down the length of the cigar the cap goes by inspection. Wherever the cap stops
is your cutting limit - cut beneath the cap's line or even too close and your cigar will start to unwravel.
The single bladed cutters that most newbies are given or buy for $3 typically
do a very poor job of clipping the cap, and result in crushed, split, and tatterted cuts. One thing to keep in mind when using
a guillotine cutter is to line up your cigar at eye level and then clipped it quickly and decisively..
Many smokers swear by punches, they are easy to use, make a perfect round
opening, and completely bypass the problem of how much to clip.
V-Cut clippers are also available. You don't have to worry about the caps length
when using this type of cutter since you rest the cigar against it, and it "automatically" takes out a v-notched shaped bit
of tobacco of the same size everytime. These cutters typically work better on some sizes than others, depends on the size
of the v-notch blade.
Cigar scissors are elegant, but can be difficult to use and they
are damn near impossible to carry around.
Some people use x-acto blades, swiss army pen knives, their teeth, and so on.
How you clip your cigar is a matter of what works best for you. Just keep in mind where the cap ends and you should be fine.
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The Wrapper
The darker the color, the sweeter and stronger the flavor is likely
to be, and the greater the oil and sugar content of the wrapper. Darker wrappers will normally have spent longer on the tobacco
plant. or come from higher altitudes: the extra exposure to sunlight produces both oil (as protection) and sugar (through
photosynthesis). They will also have been fermented for longer.
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How do I choose a good cigar?
Selecting the perfect single
1) Look for open boxes in your tobacconist's humidor that have been there
for a while. Cigars are often shipped "wet" to retard drying, and should stabilize for a week or more in a proper environment
before smoking. Grab them too soon, and they may have only stabilized on the exposed side, causing uneven burning. (You can
compensate just as easily by putting your purchases in your own humidor for a week before smoking.)
2) Squeeze the cigar gently. It should "give" but not be too soft.
Don't roll it in your fingers, as some suggest - this can damage the wrapper. Squeeze gently up and down the body to look
for lumps or soft spots. A good cigar should have neither. Remember to be gently. Even if you don't buy that cigar somebody
else might - don't damage it!
3) Inspect the wrapper for "odd" discolorations, looseness, or cracks.
The wrapper should be smooth and tight, and not damaged on either end. Smaller veins are good to watch for, as these often
smoke smoother, but compare your single to other cigars with the same wrapper! Veins appear differently in different wrapper
types.
4) Look at the tobacco in the exposed end. Some variation of color is normal,
as most cigars are made from a blend of tobaccos. What you're watching for is extreme or abrupt color changes. This sometimes
means an inferior leaf was used, or the leaves weren't laid together properly in the bunching process. Off tastes and uneven
burns will often be the result.
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DOUBLE CLARO (also called Candela or American Market Select) |
Green to greenish brown. The color is achieved by picking the leaf before it reaches maturity,
and then drying it rapidly. Very mild, almost bland with very little oil.
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Usually this is the color of shade grown tobacco. Connecticut Shade wrappers are said to be some of the finest
in the world. Shade grown tobacco is grown under large canopies to protect the tobacco from harsh sunlight. Neutral flavor
and smooth smoking.
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NATURAL - (also called English Market Select) |
Light brown to brown. These are most often sun grown, meaning they are not protected by canopies like shade
grown leaves. Fuller bodied flavor than shade grown leaves, but still very smooth.
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Mid-brown, tawny. (For example, brands such as Dominican Partagas or Fuentes, using Camaroon
wrappers.)
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Reddish dark brown, aromatic. A cigar with this wrapper tastes robust and rich. |
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Dark brown, medium strength, slightly more aromatic the maduro. Usually gives a rich flavor,
as found in many of the best Honduran cigars.
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Dark brown to very dark brown. These usually have more texture and veining than the lighter wrappers.
They are often described as oily looking, with stronger taste - sweet to some palates with a unique aroma.
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Very dark brown or almost black. They are the strongest tasting of all wrappers. These wrappers
tend to be from Nicaragua, Brazil, Mexico, or Connecticut Broadleaf.
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