How does CIGAR AFICIONADO™ get their ratings?
There are four components used in the system developed by CIGAR AFICIONADO™ for assigning a rating number to a cigar:APPEARANCE AND CONSTRUCTION
(15 of the possible 100 points)
Visually, a premium cigar should have a smooth, flawless wrapper and be consistent in color and shape. When held, it should feel firm and give off a slightly oily moistness. Points are deducted if the wrapper has areas of large veins or if the cigar feels dry or firmer in some parts than others.
FLAVOR
(25 of the possible 100 points)
Although each premium cigar has a distinctive taste, all premium cigars should taste smooth and rich. If a cigar leaves a bitter or harsh taste on your lips, tongue or mouth, points are deducted.
SMOKING CHARACTERISTICS
(25 of the possible 100 points)
A perfectly made and stored premium cigar should light and burn easily and evenly. The draw should be comfortable and the same throughout the cigar. The smoke should be cool in your mouth. Points are deducted if the cigar burns too quickly, if it burns faster on one side, and if you have to pull hard to get a mouthful of smoke or if that smoke is unpleasantly hot.
OVERALL IMPRESSION
(35 of the possible 100 points)
This is the most heavily weighted category because it is the most important.
What are the sizes of cigars?
Cigar Sizes
The list is divided by type, length in inches and ring gauge
Torpedo & Pyramides: 6-9in, 50 - 58
Belicoso: 5-6in, 50 - 55
Robusto: 4 1/2 - 5in
Hermoso: 5in, 48
Double Corona: 7 1/2 - 8in, 47-52
Grand Corona & Montecrito A: 9 1/4in, 47
Churchill: 7in, 46 - 50
Corona Gorda: 5 1/2 - 6in, 46-48
Lonsdale Corona: 6 1/2in, 32
Corona Grande: 6in, 42
Corona: 5in, 40 - 43
Petit Corona: 5in, 40
Perla: 4in, 40
Tres Petit: 4 1/2in, 40
Corona Culebras: 5 3/4in, 39
Especial: 7 1/2in, 38
Long Panetela: 7in, 35 - 39
Demi Tasse: 4in, 30 - 39
Panetela: 4 1/2in, 26 - 33
All About Humidors
Preparing a Humidor
It takes time and patience to get a new humidor ready to hold cigars. You're trying to recreate the tropical environments where most cigars are made, and you can't rush the process. Putting cigars into a dry humidor can ruin good cigars. Most humidors have an interior made of untreated Spanish cedar, the preferred wood for humidifying and aging premium cigars. The wood needs to be humidified before the box is ready to hold cigars.
Initial Preparation
Take a new sponge make sure it is unscented and free of soap and wet it with a liberal dose of distilled water. Wipe down all the exposed wood, including any trays and dividers, and the interior lid. Avoid using a paper towel or a fraying cloth; these will literally leave a paper trail on the wood. After you've wiped down the wood, squirt the sponge with more distilled water, then place it inside the humidor on a plastic bag to avoid direct contact with the wood and close the lid.
Prepare your humidification device according to the manufacturer's instructions. Unless the manufacturer specifically states that you can use tap water, use only distilled water. Tap water contains minerals that will destroy most humidification systems by leaving deposits that will clog the humidor element. Once the humidification element is filled, be sure to wipe it down to remove all the excess water. Rest it on a hand towel for approximately 30 minutes before placing it into the humidor or it may drip causing stains in the wood. Mount the humidification device. Close the lid and allow three days or so to allow the box to stabilize. If you would like to increase the humidity, add about one additional once of water and allow another three days. Depending on the size of your humidor it will take approximately 10 to 14 days for your humidor to become conditioned. The wood will absorb moisture for about two weeks.
Hygrometers-Digital vs. Dial
There are two types of hygrometers on the market today- digital and analog dial. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Dial analog meters are more attractive and most often less expensive, however, they are known to be quite inaccurate and slow to respond to changes of humidity inside your humidor. The meter will give you a rough indication of the humidity. We have seen them to have errors of up to 10%. They often have to be calibrated or reset periodically (much like adjusting bathroom scales). Digital types are less attractive, but are more accurate and do not need to be reset. They are most often sold as an after market item and are generally more expensive that the dial types.
EXTERIOR SURFACE CLEANING
Follow the manufacturers instructions.
HUMIDOR DISPLAY
Please keep your humidor in as cool a place as possible, out of any direct sunlight or artificial lights.
How do I smoke a cigar?
Many people think that the proper way to smoke a cigar is to set one end on fire and just suck like crazy on the other end. It's a tad bit more complicated than that. Before we teach you how to actually smoke the cigar, consider that many people like a nice drink to accompany the cigar's taste. The most traditional drinks when smoking are port, cognac, bourbon or scotch, and complementary wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon. The key here is that the drink will stand up to the powerful flavor of the cigar without diminishing it.
Cutting
Cigars are made with a cap over the head. Most good cigars, therefore, have only one open end. This is NOT the end that you put in your mouth - that open end is where the smoke comes out. So you need to cut the cigar at the head.
Cutters come in different styles, but the most common is the guillotine. We carry a wide selection of cutters to suit your needs.
Here's how to actually make the cut (it's really simple):
1. Cut the cigar on the tapered part (the cap).
2. Try to leave about 1/8th of an inch of the cap.
3. Never cut on or past the cap line - you'll be cutting the wrapper leaf. All hell will ensue.
Lighting
This can be tricky for a beginner, but our tips will get you through it:
1. It's best to light a cigar yourself - lighting a cigar takes longer than lighting a cigarette, and it's best not to feel rushed by having a friend reach over with a lit match.
2. Matches or butane lighters are fine, but if you use a match, make sure the sulfur is burned out first so it doesn't impair the taste of the cigar.
3. Never use a candle - the wax particles will enter the cigar and taint its flavor.
4. Hold the cigar in your hand, not your mouth, and rotate the tip near the flame.
5. Do not actually touch the flame with your cigar.
6. When the entire surface is charred and embers appear, place the cigar between your lips.
7. Gently puff to blow out any foreign particles or odors that may have come from the lighter or match. Check to see that the cigar is lit evenly.
8. This probably goes without saying, but just in case you use a lot of hairspray: remember to not set your hair on fire.
Smoking
1. Now that the cigar is lit, you should be able to draw smoke gently through it.
2. Draw slowly by pulling in your cheeks. Do not suck or inhale.
3. Do not smoke the cigar too forcefully or quickly - it will make it taste harsh and burnt. Just puff occasionally, making sure the cigar stays lit.
4. After a few minutes, you may want to remove the cigar band (label). Some people think it is obnoxious to keep the band on while you smoke, and it's not really necessary to keep your fingers from getting stained. In Europe, the wrapper is removed, just a classier move.
5. Remember to take some sips of your drink between puffs to enhance the flavor and for beginners, prevent you from getting sick.
Ashing
People smoking good cigars like to keep the ash on for as long as possible. Indeed, a solid tower of ash is a sign of a well-made cigar. But don't let the ashy end grow too long - this is both pretentious and an invitation for a mess on the floor. Every once in a while, just gently press the ash against an ashtray - the ash should fall off easily without you having to tap the cigar. If your cigar goes out, it's okay. This does not mean you are a bad smoker - just remove the ash and re-light it.
Smoke the cigar for as long as you want - the only time you should stop smoking is when it stops being enjoyable for you. When that becomes the case, just set the cigar down in an ashtray and it will go out on its own. Do not grind it out, as that will produce excess smoke. Just take one last draw, set it down, take a sip of your drink, and revel in your smoothness.
What is good "Cigar Etiquette"?
In 1967 Zino Davidoff outlined a protocol for smokers in his noted essay for connoisseurs. It is a charter and code for cigar smokers everywhere, and it remains as valid today as when he first wrote it. Among his directives were the following do’s and don'ts:
DON'T's
1. Use a penknife to cut or a lance to pierce the end of the cigar.
2.Touch the flame directly to the foot of the cigar: Instead simply rotate it around the edge till it starts to burn, then puff lightly.
3. Ask someone else for a light ('The lighting of a cigar should be a personal affair').
4. Light your cigar too quickly or too slowly.
5. Indulge in exhibitionism in lighting or any other aspect of smoking.
6. Relight your cigar if less than one quarter of it is left.
7. Put the cigar in your mouth to relight it.
8. Just scrape off the ash and turn it in the flame for several seconds till it relights.
9. Clench it between your teeth.
10. Get the end of the cigar wet, chew It, slobber on it.
11. Smoke too quickly.
12. Use a cigar holder.
13. Stick a toothpick or matchstick in the end of the cigar to help hold it in your mouth.
14. Dunk your cigar in port or brandy, a habit attributed to Winston Churchill.
15. Smoke while working.
16. Hold a cigar between your index and middle finger.
17. Smoke when you're walking.
18. Smoke more than half the cigar.
19. Put the cigar out by crushing it in an ashtray.
20. Chain-smoke cigars.
DO's
1. Warm the foot of the cigar slightly before starting to puff on it.
2. Remove the band carefully after lighting the cigar.
3. Take your time smoking it; a puff a minute is about right.
4. Hold the cigar between your index finger and thumb.
5. Let the cigar die a dignified death; after it's smoked halfway, it will go out on its own.
6. Dispose of the dead cigar discreetly and quickly.
7. Wait at least fifteen minutes between cigars; anything less indicates obsessive behaviour.
The important thing to remember is that we, cigar aficionados, should present ourselves as considerate and understanding individuals. Changing people's preconceived notions and giving the growing numbers of aficionados a good name is well worth that little extra effort.
