Some questions from a frustrated newbie

[bobajob]

Wind is never a friend to the cigar smoker IMHO. A breeze, maybe, but even then it can cause all kinds of burn issues. Something that I find helps a lot if you *must* smoke in the wind is that the small the rg, the better the stick seems to fair.

[six10]

Yep, strong wind is a no-go here unless a car is an option. Too disruptive.

[RogueBallBoy]

I'd go in the garage. I love smoking in mine. If it's really windy I just open the door a couple feet and it still gets enough ventilation.

[sparky426]

Ahem...ahem......i am said donor of the leccia white. It is an original release that i had a fiver of. I keep my sticks quite a bit lower at the 64-66% and at about 62*. They were shipped the same day as boxed. I didn't have any burn issues with the other four but that was a while back. Are you saying you need a replacement 😈

[garublador]

Ahem...ahem......i am said donor of the leccia white. It is an original release that i had a fiver of. I keep my sticks quite a bit lower at the 64-66% and at about 62*. They were shipped the same day as boxed. I didn't have any burn issues with the other four but that was a while back. Are you saying you need a replacement 😈

This may be over thinking it, but if the cigar were acclimated at ~65% and then only given a few days at 69% it could be that the wrapper was at a higher rH than the filler, which would exacerbate the uneven burn. The wind probably didn't help, either.

I've found it takes some experimentation to get my puff technique right. Play with both how long and how hard you puff to find something that works well. At first I was puffing too hard and found that my cigars would go from harsh tasting to going out with little in between. A short puff with a lighter, longer draw has given me more flavors and fewer burn issues. YMMV, of course and it probably depends a lot on RG (I have mostly 50-54 RG cigars).

[Cameradude]

"Look at this razor sharp burn line, it's just perfect," said no one ever who smoked a cigar when it is windy outside.

[Zeede]

Hey folks!

Thanks for all of the helpful responses! I will try smoking in the garage next time to eliminate the wind factor.

I've read that you shouldn't take a huge drag like cigarette smokers do, more like a moderate sip, like on a straw. I also found that doing so only once a minute was letting the cigar go out. Any idea why?

[fiddlegrin]

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I've read that you shouldn't take a huge drag like cigarette smokers do, more like a moderate sip, like on a straw. I also found that doing so only once a minute was letting the cigar go out. Any idea why?

Your questions were impeccably answered, but here is a thought to consider.

Cigars stored at around 70% are prone to burn issues. (going "out" and tasting bitter)

Cigars stored at 65% will continue burning more readily.

Small gauge cigars stored at 65% are easier to "overheat" than what you are probably used to, so watch out for that. (If we overheat a cigar, the flavors will typically change for the worse)

Cigars stored at 60%, even more so. Those are the ones (especially petite coronas/ lanceros about 40r.g.) that we must carefully sip so as to not overheat them.


I second all of Marks responses including the fuller longer draw, especially for larger gauge cigars that already burn cooler than small gauge cigars. (50, 52, 54 etc)

While letting the cigar rest between puffs, you might want to try holding it like a pen, somewhat close (approximately 3/4" to 1") to the (burning) foot. This way one can monitor the temperature of our cigar and develop a surprisingly accurate sense of if we are smoking it too fast (too hot) or, too slow (so cool we can perceive that it is about to go out)

Best wishes, Dafiddla

[fiddlegrin]

.....................

While letting the cigar rest between puffs, you might want to try holding it like a pen, somewhat close (approximately 3/4" to 1") to the (burning) foot. This way one can monitor the temperature of our cigar and develop a surprisingly accurate sense of if we are smoking it too fast (too hot) or, too slow (so cool we can perceive that it is about to go out)

Best wishes, Dafiddla

I smoked a robusto yesterday and noticed that I was actually holding it like a pen about 1/2" from the cherry to monitor temperature.

[Nature]

You might want to try a fuller, longer, draw. Often times I even double puff.
Could be that a partial draw isn't enough to keep the cigar ignited through the entire thickness? I dunno.
Sometimes we overthink this stuff. Relax and keep it enjoyable. The rhythm will come.