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Cigar myths 1-10

Myths about cigars are many times assumptions. There is no fact based behind them. Remember that the only thing that matters when smoking a cigar is your taste buds and not what others say. If you hear a cigar myth, look it up and see if there is any fact based behind it.

1. You should lick the cigar before Smoking

Moistening the wrapper by licking it was common back in the days before humidification systems were properly developed. With today’s humidification systems, there is no need to lick the cigar to rehydrate it.

2. Dark wrapper (maduro/Oscuro) cigars are stronger

A darker cigar is generally not stronger than a lighter one. The dark color indicates a longer fermentation process which can make the body a little rounder and fuller. It would more indicate that it is lighter in nicotine and sweeter in taste given that it has time to develop some sugar. The strength is largely determined by the tobacco chosen in the blend. The wrapper can give an indication but not determine the strength.

3. The best cigars are Cubans

In terms of tobacco available, the quality is the same in most cigar producing countries.  It’s all about your personal taste preferences.  Don’t get stuck on one country’s cigars because you think the quality is the best. Test your way between brands to find your personal favorite taste.  If you read about many blends, an incredible number of cigars are a mixture of tobacco from different countries.

4. The best cigars are the expensive cigars

When it comes to more expensive cigars, the tobacco is many times better quality and they are hand rolled.  It can be about ageing, even a special vintage of tobacco or whether it has been aged in special barrels of various kinds. But the taste of the cigar itself, I would like to say that it is about your personal taste profile you prefer.  Don’t neglect to try cheaper cigars just because you think the price is the difference.  Some of my favorites are some of the cheapest on the market, not because of the price but because I like the taste.  The only thing that can determine a good cigar for you is your taste buds and not the price.

5. Cigars with thicker ring gauge is stronger

A cigar’s strength (nicotine) is affected by the tobacco used and how the tobacco has been fermented, not its size. For example, you can have a short corona that is stronger than a toro. It’s about the blend. Then of course if you hate a petit corona compared to a churchill, they can do something with the amount of nicotine considering that then the amount of tobacco is so much more. But overall, it is not the size that will determine the amount of nicotine but the blend.

6. A cigar should have a slightly soft feel to it to be fresh.

If a cigar is soft, it is an indication that the cigar has been rolled with too little tobacco or is over-moistened. The cigar should feel firm and evenly rolled without any soft parts. There are cigars that are almost rock hard in construction and have a light and smooth draw.

7. should store your cigars in the refrigerator.

I have heard this myth almost a little too many times. A cigar thrives best in an environment with a humidity of anywhere from 65-72% humidity with a temperature around 18-20 degrees. A refrigerator should be at around 6-8 degrees to keep the food fresh and in most cases also has a system that transports away moisture. If you want to preserve your cigars, it is best to keep them out of the fridge. If you don’t have a humidor, there are easy and cheap solutions. See our post here on how to make a homemade humidor on the cheap. Making a cheap homemade humidor. – Vdg-cigars

8. You should not light the cigar if it goes out.  It gets a bad taste.

If the cigar goes out and sits for a few hours, it does not automatically mean that it will have the burnt bitter taste that you think. A little trick (if it’s even needed), carefully pull off some ash and instead of when you take a cold draw before lighting, blow outward through the cigar. If the cigar has been left for a day then it can take over the flavor a little more and become unsmokeable. You lose nothing by testing the cigar the next day and if you like the taste and it hasn’t taken over too much, enjoy the moment. If the cigar goes out during smoking, there is no idea to even blow out or anything, just roast it a little slowly.

9. Cigars are only for those with good finances and success.

This cigar myth goes well with myth 4. Today there are an incredible number of cigars that are cheap with incredibly high quality. It’s not about having to be rich or have a suit. Some of the best cigars I’ve smoked are in the cheaper price range and it often happens that I put on my cap with soft pants and sit on the balcony. Cigars are a gourmet experience, it’s about finding your taste profile and not radiating a social category. Here I want to throw in that the cigar community is more open than you think. Almost no one with an interest in cigars will judge you no matter what you wear, what you smoke or what you work with.

10. A lighter gray almost white ash tells you if the cigar is of high quality.

This cigar myth feels almost as old as cigars. The color of the ash is about the minerals in the soil the tobacco is grown in. It may differ from country to country and even slightly from area in different countries.

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