THE EBONY ROOM: A GENTLEMEN'S CLUB: CIGAR 101

CIGAR SMOKING 101 FOR BEGINNERS

When I first began to smoke cigars I was fortunate enough to land into a strong camp of support and knowledge for the arts. Here is a list of things that a novice to cigars should keep handy:

1. Invest in the basic tools required for smoking cigars but spend frugally at first:

a) Double or triple torch cigar lighter between $15.00 and $35.00 at first.

b) Two-blade cigar cutter between $5.00 and $10.00 at first.

c) Disposable Humidifier Packet until you get a proper humidor between $12.00 and $15.00 ea.

d) Zip-Loc plastic liner to store your cigars until you get a proper humidor, (provided by most tobacconist shops).

e) Single or double portable pocket cigar case.

e) A portable humidor.

f) Small pocket sized cigar diary (just use any small spiral bound notebook 3 inches x 4 inches and small glue stick to keep a record of the cigars you have smoked.

2. Do not store cigars in Ziploc bags when traveling except after you purchase them going from the store to your humidor, constant abrasion will crush, bend, break and fray the delicate tobacco liner ruining the cigar causing it to draw poorly when lit.

3. Do not store cigars in direct sunlight, do not refrigerate them or store them in hot, dry places.

4. If your cigar goes out after sitting for more than 10 or 15 minutes carefully clean away the ash cut it clean and re-light it; do not smoke an old cigar it will have a bitter, burnt and or stale flavor.

5. If lighting a cigar with a match allow the sulfur to burn off before drawing it into the cigar.

6. Lightly toast the cut burning end of the cigar before lighting it with the lighter or match to facilitate an even burn.

7. Take time to develop a comfortable style with which to hold your cigar.

8. Always keep cigars in a container where the humidity is controlled. When you buy cigars from the shop and do not have your portable humidor purchase a disposable humidifier pack and have the purveyor place it into a Ziploc bag with your cigars. If you are frugal ask for a second bag and place a moist paper towel inside it so that it does not touch the cigars.

9. Save the ring labels of all the cigars you smoke and keep your cigar diary with you so that you can document the experience you had each time you try a new or familiar stick.

10. Go to local cigar bars/lounges, cigar functions and conventions to meet people who smoke, these people have many years of experience under their belt and will gladly take you under their wing. Most of the important education you will get about cigars will come from seasoned smokers.

11. Familiarize yourself with all of the cigar establishments in your area whether at home or while traveling.

12. Dispose of your cigars responsibly. A lit cigar can cause a serious fire if thrown into a trashcan, a pile of leaves or if thrown near any flammable material; it will continue to smolder for many minutes after it appears to be quenched.

13. If you are in a place of public assembly always ask those around you if they have an issue with your smoking before lighting up.

14. If you are in public do not spit while smoking your cigar, if you must spit do so by discretely lifting a napkin to your mouth.

15. While smoking a cigar be mindful of the proximity of others who might be burned by your cigar and be careful not to place the cigar on surfaces that may be scorched and ruined by the cigar fire.

16.While you are experimenting with different cigar shapes and strengths try different ways to cut your cigar. Each unique cigar cutter affords a different way to draw smoke there is the traditional cutter and the "V" or channel cutter and the "Hole-Punch" used for cigars with rounded ends.

FIN

BY BIGDADDY BLUES

GALLERY