Have questions about cigars? We have a list of our top Frequently Asked Cigar Questions (FAQ’s) below:
“How to choose a cigar?”
Experiment, test out as many different types and brands of cigar as you can, and in time you will learn which kinds suit you better than others. Experience is the key in this area. Oh, and smoke what you like. It’s of no concern to you what magazines, others, even the damn cigar shop owner say, your taste is your taste, so smoke what you like, and everybody else be damned. Seriously.
“How are cigars are made”?
Tobacco is grown in all parts of the world. Once tobacco leaves are picked, they must be cured, fermented, and aged. Cigar tobacco is usually air dried in a temperature controlled environment. Cigars are made from all parts of the tobacco plant. The bottom leaves are used as the binder of the cigar, the second and third cuts of leaves are used as the filler, and the top leaves which contain the most oil are generally used as the wrapper. After all parts of the cigar are dried and ready to use, the cigar is carefully rolled and formed by hand. Once the cigar is formed it is placed in an aging room for anywhere from a few weeks up to 180 days.
“How to store cigars?”
1. Determine how much money to invest.
2.Decide on a plastic bag, box or a humidor.
3. Set the temperature. Store cigars between 64 and 70 degrees F
4. Monitor the humidity. Be sure to keep your cigars at a relative humidity level of 68 to 74 percent.
5.Keep your cigars in an air-tight environment, be sure to expose the cigars to fresh air every two weeks or so.
“How long can I store cigars?”
Indefinitely
“Can I leave the cigars in the boxes as they age?”
Absolutely, in fact most collectors do
“How to properly cut/light/smoke my cigar?”
Step One: Cutting Your Cigar.
Typically you want to remove an 1/8 inch or less. Where to cut is going to vary some from cigar to cigar, but you want to leave part of the cap on to hold the cigar together
Step Two: Lighting Your Cigar.
Don’t let the blue part of the flame actually touch the cigar
Slowly move it around until you start to see some smoke and a good portion of the end is glowing. Take a couple experimental puffs and check it. If you don’t feel like you’ve got a good light repeat the process.
Step Three: Smoking Your Cigar
Don’t rush! Only take a puff or two about every 45 seconds. Smoking it faster can cause the cigar to taste bad. Also, do not inhale your cigar. You should only take the smoke into your mouth.
“Does the cigar’s name indicate its dimension?”
Yes.
● Robusto: Short and thick, typically 5in x 50 ring gauge.
● Lonsdale: Thin and long, usually about 6 to 6.5in x 42-44 ring.
● Corona: Medium length and medium gauge, normally 5in x 42-44 ring gauge.
● Churchill: Long and thick, 7in x 50 ring gauge
“What is a “Puro”?”
A puro is a cigar that was made entirely from the tobaccos of one county. An example of the most well known Puros are Cuban cigars. In Cuba, the filler, binder, and wrapper is all grown in Cuba. Cigar manufacturers who make Puros consider it a great honor to be able to achieve a such a level of sufficiency, as it gives them more control over the consistency and quality of the finished product
“What do the two numbers mean when applied to cigar sizes?”
They are the length and ring gauge (diameter). The length is measured in inches. The ring gauge is measured in units of 1/64th’s of an inch. For example, a cigar that is called “8 x 48″ is 8 inches long and 48/64ths of an inch in diameter.
“What are the differences between different wrappers”
While the old “conventional wisdom” held that light wrappers were mild and darker wrappers heavier, nothing could be further from the truth. Some light wrappers hide powerful cigars, while quite a few dark wrappers contain mild to medium blends. Your best bet is to ask your tobacconist about your selection.
“Do the opposite ends of the cigar have different names?”
Yes. The end you cut and smoke though is the “cap”. The end you light is called a “foot”.
“How far down can I smoke the cigar?”
You can smoke a cigar as far down as long you still enjoy it. Again, whatever you like. Some of us even carve toothpicks to stick into the side of the cigar to avoid burning our fingers. Yeah, really.
“’What makes a proper lighter for cigars?”
There are 2 critical features you should look for. First, the type of fuel it uses. It must be a clean burning fuel such as butane. Most other lighter fuels give off a chemical or kerosene-like odor that will alter the taste of your cigar. Secondly, the lighter must provide a large enough flame to light the whole cigar.
“How many different tobaccos are used in a premium cigar?”
Typically, 4-6 types are blended together. The wrapper and binder are the first 2. The rest are fillers.
If you have additional questions at any time feel free to call us at (812) 284-6198 or email jeff@riversidecigars.com.
