The incision
What to do:
- The lighting of a Havana begins with a seemingly barbaric practice that requires skill and refinement: the beheading. The beheading of a cigar (which is almost always closed) has further consequences.
- Use a cigar cutter (a guillotine or scissors).
- Incise the head of the cigar at mid-cabochon (a 1 or 2 mm tip).
Your incision should be straight and clear so that the drawing is correct.
What not to do:
- Do not make the incision with your teeth or fingernails because it may be unclear and damage the head of the cigar.
- Never push a match in the head of the cigar: this sacrilege has a disastrous effect on the combustion and it damages the filler binder and causes the formation of a plug of nicotine.
- Avoid cigar cutters that make V-shaped incisions as they lead to a concentration of tar and nicotine which spoils the end of the cigar.
Ignition
- Use a big match (90 mm long) or a lighter that runs on gas. Carry the flame to the foot of the selected module. Put the cigar in your mouth, breathe slowly away from the flame and rotate the cigar slowly without stopping the ignition. The filament must be flat and uniform. The secret is to pull gently at first (three to four times) and then suck deeply. The latter operation causes the mixture of smoke and saliva. The association precipitates and reveals aromas and power. Drive your cigar slowly. Lighters or candles are not recommended because the ignition causes a strong odor.
- The torch lighter is now in fashion. This mini-torch is very powerful, but it also has its enemies. There are still discussions on this topic. Ignition is certainly easier, it inflames the filler cap and it also reaches the "heart" of the cigar very shortly. However, this firing is aggressive. The tobacco leaves are charred brutally. This conflagration increases the risk of craters, which affects the homogeneity of the pipe. However, the torch can be very useful to light off the pure. Nevertheless, this flame thrower is an easy solution.
Conservation
The first thing you need to understand in order to store a cigar properly is the role of moisture. It guarantees the taste of the cigar and maintains a good appearance. The cape may tear when a cigar from a cigar case is too dry. It burns very quickly and often causes a sensation of spice and pungency. A too wet cigar, on the other hand, will burn slowly and the risk of extinction is very high. It cannot develop its full aroma as it is saturated with water. Acrid and heavy smoke will emerge. Even worse, it may rot. Therefore, it is imperative to control the relative humidity in order to enjoy your cigars in optimal conditions. The humidity levels should be around 70%. The temperature is secondary. However, be careful because high temperatures favor the development of parasites in tobacco. Maintain a temperature of 16 to 18 ° C if you can, but never exceed 20 ° C.
Follow these tips in all conditions:
- If you do not have a humidor, store your cigars in their original box in a cool, ventilated place that is protected from light. You can put them in the cellar. Do not leave them on standby for more than ten days. You can wrap the boxes in a damp towel.
- If you have a humidor, remember that the humidity level should be 70%. Keep it steady and check it using a simple hygrometer.
- Prefer distilled water or demineralized water to tap water in order to maintain your humidors because the latter carries bacteria. Change it regularly.
- Open your humidor occasionally in order for the air to regenerate and change your cigar room.
- It is recommended to remove the cellophane wrapping of a cigar and unscrew the caps of the metal tubes for better wetting.