Cigar /Pipe Smoking thread

[feathersax]

Any reply from them yet?

No we're in Hoover. Meanwhile, last night I celebrated the victory over Texas with a classic Monte Cristo Cuban.

 

[butchna]

Just ordered today. You have to total more than $30 in your order before you’re eligible to utilize the cheaper priority USPS option which is $11. UPS is $30. I ordered these 4. Was interested in the Appalachian Trail but I wanted at least one Toro.
View attachment 742586

Ok…received yesterday. Owner wrote me a personal note apologizing for the delay (didn’t notice. I was scrambling to make space. Filled three humidors and halfway through seasoning a 300 ct electric. Ordered two glass Tupperwares and bequeathed one to wife as peace offering). Just now sampling the After Hours Express. Great stick. Lots of smoke and holds ash. Dark chocolate and some nutty element. Might go back to this well.

 

[Tin Man]

@Gandalf Lord of the Herfs, I solicit your advice. I have some AF Don Carlos reservas that have been 6+ weeks in the humiTUB. I changed out the bovedas (69%) at the time they went in. Humidity has been 60-65%, yet a few of the DCs have had wrappers crack when smoking them. AF seals their cello sleeves with a stamp. Should I open the cello sleeves of the ones I plan to smoke within the coming two weeks?

 

[Gandalf]

@Gandalf Lord of the Herfs, I solicit your advice. I have some AF Don Carlos reservas that have been 6+ weeks in the humiTUB. I changed out the bovedas (69%) at the time they went in. Humidity has been 60-65%, yet a few of the DCs have had wrappers crack when smoking them. AF seals their cello sleeves with a stamp. Should I open the cello sleeves of the ones I plan to smoke within the coming two weeks?

Ah, a fresh take on the remove cello or no question! I feel like when its long term storage, the cello can stay but it sounds like sufficient humidity is not getting to the cigar (wrapper). The cello will slow down how much humidity gets to it and in a long term storage situation, thats usually not an issue but sounds like you are going to smoke them sooner than later.

Now it could be that happened before they got to you. I have a box of Cuban H. Upmann Magnum 56 Edicion Limitada 2015
that just broke repeatedly, I mean the wrapper would just get completely flaky. Yes they did taste pretty good but it was a hard smoke, which made me a sad wizard. So I left them alone in disgust for maybe a year in a 69% frigador at 65 degrees. Now I have started to pull them back out more recently and viola, they are absolutely amazing and are holding up just fine. So was it just a 5-6 bad sticks out of a box or did my source screw up storage before getting to me or was there something else? who knows.

Now, true those didnt have cello. If you are having trouble with the DCs though, I suggest indeed removing the cello from a couple and letting them get their full drink in the humidor and then maybe even leave out a day or two before smoking. Just try with a few to see. You would think 6 weeks is enough to acclimate but its not like they are going to go yellow cello that quick so you arent missing anything but may give your sticks enough humidity to smoke. 60% imo is ok perhaps for long term storage but way to dry to smoke for many sticks.

A Don Carlos is a beautiful thing (like a Cuban HUpmann), not to be wasted.

 

[Tin Man]

The postman delivers
20 ct bundle double maduro Nicaraguan robusto (factory overruns)
5 pk La Aurora Connecticut 1987 robusto
5 pk Romeo y Julieta 1875 bully
5 pk Kristoff Kristania robusto
5 pk Montecristo White Rothschild

 

[Tin Man]

This morning’s apre breakfast smoke is the Kristoff Kristiana robusto. Dominican habano filler and binder in a Nicaraguan criollo wrapper. First impression, nutty, hints of coffee and vanilla bean, a little spicy with a slightly sweet finish. Medium bodied.

Edit: This cigar is burning evenly with a firm ash that I only tapped off after it exceeded an inch. I’m favorably impressed.

 

[Tin Man]

This morning’s after breakfast puff is the Romeo y Julieta 1875 bully. Ah, there’s no better big grassy stick!

 

[Tin Man]

A rare two cigar day. Trying one of The Nicaraguan factory overrun double maduros. These can use a little more time in the humiTUB. Cocoa from lighting, wood, earth, and walnut, medium-full body.

 

[Gandalf]

This morning’s after breakfast puff is the Romeo y Julieta 1875 bully. Ah, there’s no better big grassy stick!

like a new mown yard.

 

[Tin Man]

No we're in Hoover. Meanwhile, last night I celebrated the victory over Texas with a classic Monte Cristo Cuban.

Still curious for their reply…

 

[Tin Man]

This morning’s after breakfast smoke is the La Aurora 1987 Connecticut robusto. A natural shade grown Connecticut wrapper, a mix of Dominican and Nicaraguan filler, and a Dominican binder. Nutty, earthy, with a little cafe au lait, cedar, and citrus. The combination of flavors works. Medium bodied smooth cigar.

 

[Tin Man]

Note: Most herfamaniacs slowly turn their cigar tips over the flame to light them. Recently, due to morning breezes on my porch, I’ve been pointing my cigar straight down over the flame, holding it below the table which blocks the wind. This blackens the end, but doesn’t affect the flavor. Your pardon, @Gandalf .

 

[Gandalf]

Note: Most herfamaniacs slowly turn their cigar tips over the flame to light them. Recently, due to morning breezes on my porch, I’ve been pointing my cigar straight down over the flame, holding it below the table which blocks the wind. This blackens the end, but doesn’t affect the flavor. Your pardon, @Gandalf .

While not all can wear Narya, a ring of fire more available to middle earthers that will solve the wind issue is a quad tabletop
https://www.amazon.com/XIKAR®-Volta-Quad-Jet-Lighter-Silver/dp/B0145NAOMQ?th=1

 

[butchna]

This morning’s after breakfast smoke is the La Aurora 1987 Connecticut robusto. A natural shade grown Connecticut wrapper, a mix of Dominican and Nicaraguan filler, and a Dominican binder. Nutty, earthy, with a little cafe au lait, cedar, and citrus. The combination of flavors works. Medium bodied smooth cigar.
View attachment 745174

Smoked that as part of their sampler pack. Lighter fare I didn’t mind as a change of pace. Hell, I finished off my last two Tabak Especial Dulces that used to be my mainstays. Had been all Maduro or stronger. Sometimes you need to let the palate relax. Might order some Nub Connecticuts for such occasions.

 

[butchna]

Note: Most herfamaniacs slowly turn their cigar tips over the flame to light them. Recently, due to morning breezes on my porch, I’ve been pointing my cigar straight down over the flame, holding it below the table which blocks the wind. This blackens the end, but doesn’t affect the flavor. Your pardon, @Gandalf .

Saw that Davidoff video where properly lighting a cigar with a match so as not to overpower the flavor with sulfur and impurities. Immediate reaction: “**** that! Torch that bisch! I could be on my second stick in the time you got that one lit!”

 

[Gandalf]

Saw that Davidoff video where properly lighting a cigar with a match so as not to overpower the flavor with sulfur and impurities. Immediate reaction: “**** that! Torch that bisch! I could be on my second stick in the time you got that one lit!”

Sigh, in every place there are a few Neanderthals just rubbing sticks together

Whilst I must confess that even I have on occasion been in such a hurry to get lighted I have forgotten to savor a cold draw or two first - yet I try not to behave like the herfer heathens who don't even toast the foot before wading in.

Here is a oft overlooked fact though - While using an 8" cedar match to warm the foot and light the cigar may be ideal for flavor its not always practical. Yes, blue flamed butane torches can get things lit quickly but can easily overheat the end and burn the flavor. Thats why you toast the foot first, bringing up the temp without charring it. Its a neat ritual. With a match that is not needed as much. And when there is any wind, a torch is the only way. Since Im usually outside, I mostly use a torch.

But if you are someone who wants top flavor without having to keep a match lit, a bic lighter is still a yellow AKA "soft" flame and thus cooler than a torch. You will get most of the benefits of a match with a simple bic lighter but IMO it is important to flick it on and let it burn a sec to get gas impurities out before having the flame touch your cigar.



But here is the BONUS

THIS is what you really want to use - all the benefits of bic but you can better see what you are doing and dont make your thumb hot.

 

[VOLLeeann]

Does anybody (outside of me) use a hookah?

 

[Gandalf]

Does anybody (outside of me) use a hookah?

View attachment 745270

Oh, the elves are rife with it these days

The whole shared pipe thing is not my style, nor the more heavily flavored tobacco they use - In ages past, I remember enjoying the tea at the Egyptian hookah shop in LA but the hookah did not impress. But I was a younger wizard then.

Yet I would love to hear more on your experiences with it and why you like it.

 

[butchna]

Sigh, in every place there are a few Neanderthals just rubbing sticks together

Whilst I must confess that even I have on occasion been in such a hurry to get lighted I have forgotten to savor a cold draw or two first - yet I try not to behave like the herfer heathens who don't even toast the foot before wading in.

Here is a oft overlooked fact though - While using an 8" cedar match to warm the foot and light the cigar may be ideal for flavor its not always practical. Yes, blue flamed butane torches can get things lit quickly but can easily overheat the end and burn the flavor. Thats why you toast the foot first, bringing up the temp without charring it. Its a neat ritual. With a match that is not needed as much. And when there is any wind, a torch is the only way. Since Im usually outside, I mostly use a torch.

But if you are someone who wants top flavor without having to keep a match lit, a bic lighter is still a yellow AKA "soft" flame and thus cooler than a torch. You will get most of the benefits of a match with a simple bic lighter but IMO it is important to flick it on and let it burn a sec to get gas impurities out before having the flame touch your cigar.



But here is the BONUS

THIS is what you really want to use - all the benefits of bic but you can better see what you are doing and dont make your thumb hot.
View attachment 745267

Nothing but ‘spect for you. But I got into this around the 54th year of my life. Culture’s for the young. I got two Zippos for the soft yellow flame…harkening back to my youth. Already got a single butane torch insert for my latest antique silver case. Going to get a double torch for my Chicago Bears case next paycheck. Leaving my Tennessee orange case as the lone holdover. Do all my puffing outside under my pergola. Soft flame is an exercise in futility for cigars imo.

 

[BSAvol]

A bowl of Haunted Bookshop in a Savanelli. Go VOLS, let’s take care of business tonight!

 

[Tin Man]

This morning’s after breakfast puff is a Montecristo White, smooth and mellow.

 

[BSAvol]

Saw that Davidoff video where properly lighting a cigar with a match so as not to overpower the flavor with sulfur and impurities. Immediate reaction: “**** that! Torch that bisch! I could be on my second stick in the time you got that one lit!”

I use a torch lighter for cigars, but use a soft flame for pipes so I don’t burn the briar.

This is an old Peterson reject that I refinished and modified an old stem to fit it. My first smoke is Early Morning Pipe, perfect for this gorgeous morning.

 

[butchna]

I use a torch lighter for cigars, but use a soft flame for pipes so I don’t burn the briar.

This is an old Peterson reject that I refinished and modified an old stem to fit it. My first smoke is Early Morning Pipe, perfect for this gorgeous morning.

I’ll end up taking the pipe plunge eventually. The wife would cotton better to that vice…cuz her father. Never giving up my sticks tho.

 

[Tin Man]

Ah, a fresh take on the remove cello or no question! I feel like when its long term storage, the cello can stay but it sounds like sufficient humidity is not getting to the cigar (wrapper). The cello will slow down how much humidity gets to it and in a long term storage situation, thats usually not an issue but sounds like you are going to smoke them sooner than later.

Now it could be that happened before they got to you. I have a box of Cuban H. Upmann Magnum 56 Edicion Limitada 2015
that just broke repeatedly, I mean the wrapper would just get completely flaky. Yes they did taste pretty good but it was a hard smoke, which made me a sad wizard. So I left them alone in disgust for maybe a year in a 69% frigador at 65 degrees. Now I have started to pull them back out more recently and viola, they are absolutely amazing and are holding up just fine. So was it just a 5-6 bad sticks out of a box or did my source screw up storage before getting to me or was there something else? who knows.

Now, true those didnt have cello. If you are having trouble with the DCs though, I suggest indeed removing the cello from a couple and letting them get their full drink in the humidor and then maybe even leave out a day or two before smoking. Just try with a few to see. You would think 6 weeks is enough to acclimate but its not like they are going to go yellow cello that quick so you arent missing anything but may give your sticks enough humidity to smoke. 60% imo is ok perhaps for long term storage but way to dry to smoke for many sticks.

A Don Carlos is a beautiful thing (like a Cuban HUpmann), not to be wasted.

My after breakfast smoke is a AF Don Carlos robusto, and cutting away the folded end of the cellophane seems to have done the trick.

 

[Tin Man]

Couldn’t stop myself from trying another Nicaraguan factory overrun double maduro. These still need a little more time in the humiTUB, but they’re promising.