Our goal at Cingari is to enlighten readers about the finer nuances of cigar smoking and to offer the most thorough and accurate information to enhance Cuban cigar enthusiasts’ pleasure in the product.
In this post, we are answering some of the most commonly asked questions about Cuban cigars. This post will be helpful if you’re new to cigars, and even if you’ve been smoking Cuban cigars in India for a while, you might learn something new and important. We sincerely hope you find them helpful in increasing your cigar smoking experience.
Here are the top 10 Cuban cigar-related questions, in no particular order.
#1 Does a cigar’s strength vary depending on its size?
No. The combination of leaves inside a cigar determines its strength. But the speed of the cigar’s combustion depends on its size. Compared to large cigars, fine cigars burn rather quickly. Another important factor is length. The intensity of a Robusto’s intensity won’t be the same across brands even though the size is the same because each brand uses a unique leaf mixture.
#2 What is meant by the phrase “ring gauge” and how is it determined by measuring?
The diameter of a cigar, known as the ring gauge or “girth,” is determined in 64ths of an inch. In light of this, a ring gauge of 42 is equal to 42/64 inches, or 16.67mm. The cigars with a ring gauge of 50 have a diameter of 50/64 inches, or 19.84 mm.
#3 Can I keep my Habanos in the refrigerator?
Having a dry environment, refrigerators only help to completely remove the natural moisture from a Cuban cigar. Additionally, premium cigars often absorb the strong scents found in refrigerators. So, it would be a huge mistake to store your Habanos in a refrigerator.
#4 How should a humidifier be set up to store cigars?
Storage conditions for Habanos should be between 16 and 18 °C with a humidity level of 65-70%. It’s crucial to consider the humidity. It will be challenging to light the cigar if it becomes too wet, and too much moisture will obstruct and dilute the natural oils generated when you burn a cigar. Additionally, if you allow the cigar to dry, these oils may disintegrate and may result in an unpleasant smoking experience.
#5 How can I check that the cigars are stored in appropriate conditions?
A variety of hygrometers can give you a precise reading of the moisture content in your humidifier. However, holding a cigar between your fingers and thumb and gently pressing it will allow you to determine the state of the cigar. It is in excellent condition if you can feel that it is elastic but stable. But if it is brittle and hard, the cigar has become dry. If it is mushy and sponge-like, the cigar will become highly wet.
#6 Is it possible to take off the band before starting a cigar?
Not at this point—doing so risks damaging the fragile wrapper leaf. If you want to take off the band, wait until the cigar has heated up and the band is more easily removed, perhaps after smoking the cigar for about five minutes. Even then, you should peel the band off and not pull it off like a ring.
#7 Can I stub out my cigar and finish it later at another time if I can’t finish it in one go?
Yes and no, I suppose. A cigar that has burned out can still be smoked, but you should never snuff it out. When you relight the cigar after doing this, it won’t taste good because of the accumulation of smoke inside the cigar as well as the tar and ash at the foot of the cigar. Blowing out the smoke is the ideal method for putting out a cigar. Just give it a brief burst of air before letting it burn gradually in an ashtray.
When you wish to relight the cigar, trim off approximately an inch with your cutter. The ash and tar residues will be eliminated as a result. Next, all you need to do is light your cigar again. Your first draws will taste less fresh, but they’ll be considerably more delightful than if the cigar had been stubbed out. If you frequently lack the time to complete your cigar, you can try a shorter length or a smaller ring gauge.
#8 A granular substance was found on some of my cigars. What exactly is it, and should I be worried?
Fear not if the substance is whitish in color and can be removed from the cigars with ease without leaving a trace. This substance is called the “plume” (also known as the “bloom”). It is a natural occurrence brought on by the cigars’ flushing off some of the oils present in the tobacco. You can simply dust them off to prepare the cigars for smoking.
The cigars, however, are victims of mold if the residue has a deeper bluish hue and leaves a mark on the wrappers when it is dusted off. Maintaining your humidor near the ideal 70 degrees and 70 percent humidity threshold will help prevent this issue, as mold is typically a result of high temperature and moisture levels. Additionally, putting non-distilled water in your humidifying system can result in the growth of mold, so be aware of the water you are using.
#9 How do I keep bugs and beetles out of my humidor and away from my cigars?
Tobacco can naturally include beetle larvae. These larvae devour premium cigars at a hatching temperature of over 72 degrees. Keep a close check on the temperature in your humidor and consider installing a beetle trap as a preventative measure. Cigars can be frozen for longer than three days to destroy beetle larvae as well. After that, it is safe to rehybridize cigars to avoid developing cracks. Cigars can be kept for as long as 100 years if kept in pristine condition. Contrary to white powder, which is natural, blue mold on cigars typically indicates that they are moldy.
Check out Cingari’s premium Humidor collection here.
#10 What is the ideal cigar cutter?
For thinner cigars, wedge cutters are incredibly popular. Nevertheless, larger gauge cigars cut with guillotine cutters perform better since they cut through them more uniformly. There is a chance of injuring a cigar because wedge cutters might be inaccurate in cutting large cigars. The use of lance cigar cutters is also growing in popularity lately, but it requires accuracy because if used incorrectly, they might change the flavor of the cigar.
Check out Cingari’s exclusive cigar cutter’s collection here.
Conclusion
So, now that you’re an expert on cigar upkeep, stock up on Cingari’s necessities. Select from a chic selection of cigars and other accessories, then indulge in as much smoking as you please!
