As a smoker, at some point, you’ve probably tried to blow a smoke ring. Many of us have never done it, but have dreamed of the day we can. Maybe you’ve managed it once or twice but aren’t quite sure how, or maybe you’re a pro at them (but why would you be reading this then!?). Either way, if you’re looking to impress with a smoke ring display, then read on.
What Do You Need to Blow Smoke Rings?
First things first, before you attempt some ring-making, you will, of course, need a cigar. While, technically, you can make a ring with any cigar if you try hard enough, to make things easier on yourself, you should choose a cigar that produces dense smoke. It’s best if you use a cigar that has quite tightly packed tobacco. If you use a lighter cigar, the smoke that is produced may be too wispy to come together and form a magnificent ring shape once it leaves your mouth.
As important as the type of cigar you smoke is the place you decide to smoke it. With the smoke ring being so delicate and airy, it’s no good trying to make one and expecting it to stay in shape if you are standing out in a gale. The calmer the airflow is, the more chance your ring will have at sticking around for you to marvel at its glory.
How to Blow Circles With a Cigar
Step 1:
Making sure that the cigar is entirely lit at the end, so you can draw more easily. Begin to smoke normally a couple of times to ensure that you are getting the most smoke you can through the cigar. Draw out a deep puff of smoke, and let it rest in your mouth.
Step 2:
Next, use your tongue to block off your throat by pulling it slightly back so that the smoke is just held in between your lips and tongue.
Step 3:
Then it’s time for your mouth to move. Open up, turning your lips into an ‘O’ shape. Do this slowly; otherwise, the smoke will start to escape from your mouth too fast to form a shape. You need to properly open your mouth, moving your jaw, so your teeth aren’t blocking the way. This means no pouting or fish-face mouths; make a proper open ‘O’ shape!
Step 4:
This is where things get a little tricky, and the only way to improve is to practice. The term blowing a smoke ring can be misleading and will lead to the downfall of many smokers attempting it. While you may think that the way to create a ring is to exhale, this will not work.
In fact, quite a different action is required to achieve the desired ring shape that so many seek to produce. Pull your tongue as far back as you can, with the tip of your tongue curled down. Then use your tongue to gently catapult the smoke out of your mouth. Keep it calm and in short bursts, and you’ll be sure to get smoke rings popping out of your mouth. Remember: practice makes perfect!
Are there any questions you want answering about cigars? Let us know in the comments below!
Cigar Strength vs Body: What is the Difference?
13 March 2023 by Ellie
When searching for a cigar, you’ll often come across the words mild, medium and full to describe the body or strength of the smoke. Body and strength are two factors which may seem somewhat interchangeable or may be mistaken for each other.
While it is fairly common for a cigar’s strength and body to be the same, for example, medium body and medium strength, this is not always the case. Body and strength actually refer to different things and aren’t always the same. We take a look at the difference between the two.
The body of a cigar refers to the depth of its flavour – meaning how much of the flavour can be detected and tasted, and how intense these flavours are.
A good way of looking at it would be to compare it to drinks. A full-bodied wine will be deeper and richer, with bolder notes and a thicker mouth-feel, whereas a mild-bodied wine will be fresh, zesty and light.
Another example from the world of drinks would see a pale ale on the mild-bodied end of the spectrum and a Scotch on the full-bodied side.
What is Cigar Strength?
The strength of a cigar is based on the nicotine content. While the term strength will give an idea of how intense the nicotine level will be in your smoke, it is something of a relative descriptor, as many factors can influence how your body reacts to nicotine. For example, you can be more or less affected by nicotine depending on when you last ate.
For the most part, though, mild-strength cigars will be pleasant but won’t have too much of an effect, whereas full-strength cigars may give you a bit of a buzz. This can go into the negative; smoking a cigar that is too strong for your body to handle at that moment can lead to nicotine sickness.
Do Cigar Wrappers Determine Strength?
There are many misconceptions about the strength of cigars. The phrase ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ certainly applies to cigar wrappers and their strength. It has been a long-held belief that the darker the wrapper, the stronger the cigar.
While that used to be a fairly safe rule to follow, it doesn’t always apply to modern cigars. Although the wrapper will play a part in the strength of the cigar, most strength will come from the filler, making the colour less of an indicator.
Cigar Strength and Body
While body and strength are two different things, there are some strong correlations between them. This is due to the fact that the tobacco leaves that contain the most nicotine are also the most flavourful. Therefore, it is typical for a cigar’s strength and body to fall under the same descriptor (mild, medium, full).
When looking to buy cigars online based on their strength and body, it is important to consider what you can handle. As a beginner to cigar smoking, it is recommended to start off with a milder bodied and milder strength cigar, such as those offered by Hoyo de Monterrey, H.Upmann or San Cristobal.
Jumping straight in with a strong cigar isn’t always advised, as you might not be prepared for the strength and flavour, and it might put you off cigars for good! More experienced cigar smokers will be able to handle the stronger intensity of a full-bodied and full-strength cigar, so long as they smoke correctly, without inhaling any of the smoke.
Cuban Cigar Strength Chart
Below are a variety of popular Cuban cigar brands that are associated with each strength. While each brand will have cigars on offer that break the mould of the below chart, it’s a good starting point to find brands that craft the type of smoke you are after.
If you are new to cigar smoking and are looking for recommendations for cigars for beginners or a guide to cigar smoking, then be sure to check out our blog posts for all of the advice you need!
What Impacts the Price of Cigars?
10 March 2023 by Ellie
When searching for the perfect smoke, one thing that can often prove to be a stumbling block for many first-time buyers is cost. Across the market, cigar prices can vary greatly, making it difficult to know which cigars are best to purchase.
While some are suspiciously low-priced, others seem to be ludicrously expensive. So, what impacts the price of cigars? Below, we take a look at some of the factors that can influence their overall cost:
The Cigar Brand You Choose
Like most products, a brand name can greatly impact a cigar’s price. You’ll often find that renowned, prestigious brands will be costlier than an up-and-coming manufacturer.
Well-established cigar companies that have been in business for a longer period usually have a more reliable reputation in comparison to newer brands and thus can charge more for their products.
Not only this, but premium brands like Montecristo and Cohiba have access to high-quality tobacco and skilled cigar rollers, which can mean the resulting cigars are worth more money.
However, cost doesn’t always equate to quality, so if possible, it’s good to sample a range of cigars with different price points to find one that suits your personal preferences best.
The Tobacco Used In the Cigar
Like with other products, the ‘ingredients’ have an impact on the price. A cigar is made up of three parts; binder, filler, and wrapper leaves. Some companies have their own tobacco farms and manufacturing factories, while others have to buy their tobacco or outsource their production, which can add costs to the cigars.
Wrapper leaves for cigars have to be quite specific, and some types will be rarer or more difficult to produce, which will contribute to the costs.
Further, the country of origin will also have an impact. Connecticut tobacco is quite popular for wrapper leaves. As it is primarily grown in Connecticut in the United States, the labour costs will be more expensive than for tobacco grown in many Central or South American countries.
Additionally, a cigar’s filler leaves can also increase its value, not only because they provide much of its flavour but also because blending tobacco leaves to achieve a specific flavour is a skilled art that, again, takes time.
The Age of Cigars
Another factor that can influence the cost of a cigar is the age – either of the cigar as a whole, or the individually aged tobacco elements. For example, if the tobacco used in a stogie has been aged for several years, the price is likely to be higher.
This is because curing, fermenting, and ageing tobacco for an extended period requires both knowledge and time to ensure the finest quality cigar is produced.
Rarity of The Cigar
The rarity of the cigar will also have a huge impact on a cigar. If a cigar brand is made at scale, with millions produced each year, the cost per cigar will be lower than those produced in small batches.
As such, limited edition cigars will likely be more expensive than those that are a regular part of a brand’s range. Not only this, but some cigars will be considered collector’s items, which also increases their price.
Size and Shape of the Cigar
The size of cigars undoubtedly impacts their cost. As with most things, if you purchase a larger cigar, you should expect to pay a higher price, as it contains more tobacco.
Similarly, if your chosen stogie has an unusual shape, like the Double Figurado, the Belicoso, or the Torpedo, it will be more expensive as a result of the work that has gone into rolling it. Only specialised rollers who possess the right skill set can roll unconventionally shaped cigars, thus justifying their often-high price tag.
Quantity of Cigars
Buying in bulk can often save you money on a variety of products; cigars are no different. If you buy a box of cigars rather than a single stogie, this can make your overall purchase less expensive, and you will ultimately save money.
However, be sure that you have the correct storage equipment first before purchasing several cigars at once. If you don’t already have one, buying a humidor is a good idea if you’re planning to store a batch of cigars, as this will preserve them over a long period without affecting their quality.
Tax on Cigars
In every state or country, an unavoidable factor that largely increases the price of cigars is tax. Tobacco products are generally taxed quite highly, which can quickly add more to the cost of your cigar.
Why Are Cigars So Expensive in the UK?
In the UK, as of 2023, tobacco duty means buyers are charged an extra £3.28 on every 10g cigar they purchase.
However, this is automatically included in their price, along with the standard 20% VAT rate currently applied to retail products in the UK. As a result of this added cost, many connoisseurs now buy their cigars online to save money and take advantage of special promotions.
Most cigars enjoyed in the UK also need to be imported, as the British climate is not suited to tobacco growth for cigars. As a result, the Cuban cigar UK price will be higher than in some other countries, as the cigars need to be shipped over.
Here at Havana House, we have a wide range of cigars at a variety of price points, so we’re sure to have one that will fit your budget! Check out our collections now to find a smoke that’s the perfect price for you.
Cigar Review: RoMa Craft Intemperance BA XXI Ambition Belicoso
2 March 2023 by Ellie
Intemperance was the first cigar released under the then-newly formed ultra-boutique RoMa Craft Tobac Company. Produced in their Fabrica de Tobacco NicaSueno factory in Esteli, Nicaragua, the cigars are made with passion and eagle-eyed attention to quality.
The Intemperance BA XXI is a rich, full flavour smoke that delivers a strength profile of a solid medium to full-bodied cigar. This blend is comprised of a dark Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper, a binder from Indonesia, with a two-country blend of filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The result is a highly impressive solid rich cigar that’s loaded with flavour.
About the RoMa Craft Intemperance BA XXI Ambition Belicoso Cigar
Owner: RoMa Craft Factory: Fabrica de Tobacco NicaSueno Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca Binder: Indonesian Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican Strength: Medium – Full Size: Belicoso – 5 1/2 by 54 ring gauge
Reviewed by: Ross from the Windsor shop
The Beginning
Once the Intemperance BA XXI was all warmed up, I paid extra attention to the early smoke with the exposed binder and filler. I had a lovely burst of pepper to get things started. Once the wrapper was burning, notes of chocolate emerged as the pepper settled down. In this case, this seemed like a classic pepper volley to start a cigar.
As the cigar burned, chocolate and pepper remained, but I also had notes of oak and a slight sprinkle of demerara sugar.
The Middle
In the middle, a warm, nutty, woody flavour emerged in the background. The oak notes moved to the background, and I found this mixture of flavours really pleasant.
The End
In the end, the peppery notes take full control of the coffee notes. The coffee notes were now in a supporting role. The end of the cigar is still flavourful. The spice hits on each puff. The nub was firm to the touch and cool in temperature, so you could just keep on going without fear of a lip burner.
Burn
The Intemperance BA XXI performed very well in the area of burn and draw. The burn line remained straight from start to finish requiring minimal touch-ups. The ash did not have much flaking and was on the firm side. For the sake of vanity, you can keep the ash on for a long time. The burn rate and burn temperature were perfect.
Draw
As for the draw, it had a touch of resistance to it; my favourite type of draw.
Overall
The Intemperance BA XXI is an outstanding cigar. This blend seemed to click very well in the Belicoso format. The cigar has outstanding flavours and top-notch construction. Whether a novice or an experienced cigar enthusiast, if you’re looking to explore RoMa Craft for the first time, this is the perfect cigar to start with.
Ross Rating: 7/10
What alcoholic drink would I pair the RoMa Craft Intemperance BA XXI Ambition Belicoso Cigar with?
This whiskey will be the next must-try Bourbon and will most likely be as hard to get as Blanton’s. Try it while you can, as it pairs so well with cigars like this.
What soft drink would I pair the RoMa Craft Intemperance BA XXI Ambition Belicoso Cigar with?
Dr Pepper, please.
Would I smoke the RoMa Craft Intemperance BA XXI Ambition Belicoso Cigar again?
It delivers a nice flavourful experience right in the medium-full strength range. As for myself, this is definitely a cigar I will be smoking again.
Best Thin Cigars to Try
16 February 2023 by Ellie
For several years now, big cigars have been considered the most desirable for consumers. We’ve seen ring gauge sizes go up and up to the point that nowadays, some cigars are so big that they can’t even fit in certain cigar cutters!
Although we’re sure the trend for big ring gauges won’t be going away any time soon, sometimes a larger smoke isn’t what you need. If you’re a bit strapped for time, or would like to enjoy a quality Cuban cigar without needing to spend an entire evening smoking it, then thinner cigars can be the answer.
We share a few of our favourite thin ring cigars that we have available here at Havana House for you to try.
Montecristo Joyitas
Size: Laguito No.3 (4 1/2” x 26)
One of the smallest cigars we have on offer here at Havana House, the Montecristo Joyitas, is a very thin cigar with a ring gauge of only 26. It is quite a light-bodied cigar that smokes smoothly, offering hints of leather and bitter wood.
This is the perfect choice for a quicker afternoon smoke or when you don’t have too much time, as it is mild, fairly small and offers a reliable draw, meaning you won’t have to waste time relighting and resolving draw problems.
Cohiba Panetelas
Size: Laguito No.3 (4 1/2” x 26)
Another cigar in the vitola Laguito No. 3, the Cohiba Panetelas measures 4 ½ inches x 26 ring gauge. Despite being small, this cigar is as rich and full as others in the Cohiba range.
This cigar has a history as rich as its flavour too! The Cohiba Panetelas was created in 1969 and were only made available to the top Cuban officials and those who received them as a diplomatic gift.
Davidoff Signature No. 2
Size: Panetela (6” x 38)
Despite having a smaller ring gauge than many cigars currently on the market, the Davidoff Signature No. 2 cigar remains a solid favourite for many – including the brand founder, Zino Davidoff!
Offering a delicious, balanced blend of Dominican tobaccos and a Connecticut wrapper, the Signature No. 2 brings a mild strength, with earthy and woody notes, for a classic cigar smoking experience. The Panetela cigar is finished with a pigtail twist at the top, like other cigars in the Signature range.
Quintero Panetelas
Size: Corona 5″ x 36
Quintero Panetelas are small but mighty! They are surprisingly strong, with a pronounced taste of tobacco. They go exceptionally well with a cup of coffee, making this 5″ x 36 cigar ideal for your coffee breaks or post-dinner puff.
Cohiba Exquisitos
Size: Petit Palma 5″x36
Part of Cohiba’s first commercial series, the Cohiba Exquisitos is a small panatela cigar that was introduced in 1982. It has held up its worth since then and is still considered one of the best Cohibas. The Exquisitos has a dominant taste of tobacco and offers a smooth, full-flavoured smoke. Measuring 5″ x 36, it is considered a Petit Palma cigar.
H. Upmann Coronas Minors Tubos
Size: Coronitas (4 5/8” x 40)
In the past, a 40 ring gauge would have been considered fairly big for a cigar, but now, in a world of 64 ring gauges being quite commonplace, this cigar is now thought of as ‘small’.
While H. Upmann cigars are usually renowned for their bold, punchy flavour, the Coronas Minors cigar offers a much lighter alternative for those who would like to sample H. Upmann without the intensity. This mild cigar instead presents lighter floral and fruity notes throughout the tobacco.
Punch Petit Coronations Tubos
Size: Coronitas (4 5/8” x 40)
The Punch Petit comes in the Coronitas size, and as the petit name suggests, it is smaller than many of the other cigars in the Punch range.
This is a mild-medium cigar with woody tones and fruity notes. Its pleasant flavour is ideal for newbies to cigar smoking and experienced aficionados alike.
If you like thin cigars but want a more affordable option, take a look at our cigarillo recommendations:
If thin cigars aren’t your type, then we have a vast range of cigars online available for you to check out!
Best Mini Cigars and Cigarillos
6 February 2023 by Ellie
Mini cigars or cigarillos are becoming more and more popular since the introduction of cigars into Europe. Especially in the last 20-30 years, more people have been smoking these tiny cigars than ever. So we thought that it was about time to define the top five mini cigars and best cigarillos in the world!
Davidoff Mini Cigarillos Gold
Davidoff cigarillos are the most complex in the world. The notes in the Davidoff Mini Cigarillos Gold harmonise together in a symphony of full flavour. This is due to the blend of tobacco, which comes from all around the world, particularly from countries such as Brazil and Indonesia.
Even though these cigarillos are small, they are still treated with the same amount of care as their larger counterparts. It takes 5-10 years for each cigarillo to reach the hands of the eventual smoker. As the flame touches the tip of their lips, time becomes still, a moment where sense and pleasure overtake everything else.
Montecristo Puritos
Montecristo, named after the Count of Monte Cristo, is the highest-selling and most beloved Cuban cigar brand in the world. Unsurprisingly, their smaller cigars are much loved as well! The tobacco used in them is grown in the finest agricultural region in the world – Vuelta Abajo. From fully-fledged connoisseurs to novice puffers, these cigars are ideal for all types of smokers! You can expect subtle flavours. Including a bitter earthiness and hints of vanilla.
Montecristo Puritos are the ideal choice for smokers who want to “upgrade” from mainstream cigars without a major leap in cost, or for the premium cigar smoker who would like to enjoy the unique taste and aroma of Cuban tobacco during short breaks.
Cohiba Club Cigars
Cohiba is the top line of Cuba. The brand was originally created for the personal use of top Cuban officials alone, so you can be sure that every Cohiba you smoke is of the best quality. The tobacco used in these cigarillos, like the Montecristo’s, is grown in the Vuelta Abajo region.
These small cigars owe their quality to the third fermentation process, which they undertake in hogshead barrels. This is a tradition only kept alive by Cohiba. These cigars are medium to full in flavour and are bursting with all the flavours that you would expect from Cohiba.
Cohiba Club Cigars are ideal for both novice and more experienced cigar smokers to enjoy as an aperitif or short smoke during a break.
Partagas Serie Mini
Partagas cigars, founded by the legendary Don Jaime Partagas, are one of the top Cuban brands. They are known for creating some of the best cigars out there, but when you condense the larger counterparts into a much smaller cigar, you get something really special.
The same leaf from the Vegas de Primeras region is used, so you get the same rich and deep flavours that characterise Partagas cigars. Interestingly, the Partagas Serie Mini cigars are not overly powerful. This is strange, seeing as the Partagas brand is famous for being the strongest Cuban brand. The mildness of these cigars makes them the perfect short smoke or aperitif.
E Nobel Petit Sumatra
You may be surprised to hear that these fine cigars come from Denmark! That cold Scandinavian country does not usually come to mind when you think of great cigars. However, there are few other mini cigarillos that offer the same depth of flavour and smoothness that this small cigar does. The Sumatran wrapper aids the development of the delicate flavours. If you are a cigarillo person, then you simply have to try an E Nobel Petit Sumatra.
Of course, there can be no official top five best mini cigars, because smoking is a subjective pastime. In the case that you disagree with our list, don’t hesitate to drop a comment with your own favourite cigarillos.
Cigar Review: VegaFina Original Short Robusto
3 February 2023 by Ellie
Launched in 1998, VegaFina is today one of the world’s bestselling handmade cigar brands. With a reputation for quality and consistently balanced aromas, the cigars have quickly attracted a large and loyal following.
Handmade in the Dominican Republic at Tabacalera de Garcia, one of the largest cigar factories in the world, the brand takes its name from ‘Vegas Finas’, which translates to “finest fields”. These first-class fields are found on plantations that are classed above all others for their natural richness of the soil and ideal climatic conditions.
Together with the skill and experience of the Dominican farmer, they combine to produce the very finest tobacco leaves. Only the best are selected for the blend of VegaFina alongside other quality leaves harvested in Nicaragua and Colombia. An elegant Connecticut Ecuador wrapper leaf is used to dress each cigar.
About the VegaFina Original Short Robusto
Owner: VegaFina Factory: Tabacalera de Garcia Origin: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut Binder: Indonesia Filler: Colombia, Dominican Republic, Honduras Strength: Medium Size: Short Robusto – 4 1/8 by 50 ring gauge
Reviewed by: Ross from the Windsor shop
The Beginning
The VegaFina Short Robusto is a suave-looking cigar. The wrapper is smooth and supple with very few veins. There’s just a hint of pepper at first light. This quickly disappears and is replaced by a very mild-bodied smoke with a creamy texture.
Up until the halfway point, the flavour is faint and woody with some herbal tea accents. The aroma is exceptional; it blends well with the flavour of the cigar and adds a spicy floral scene to proceedings.
The Middle
The flavour picks up at the middle point, not a lot, but enough to be noticed. Another dash of pepper is added to the mix, and the finish goes from non-existent to moderately short at this point in time.
The End
The last third stays the course. Finally, a discreet bitterness lets me know that the finish line has been crossed. Rest in my ashtray, little one.
Burn
Straight and even burn. No issues here.
Draw
Slight resistance, and I like that. You can tell this is a well-made cigar.
Overall
Overall the VegaFina Short Robusto is an excellent mild – medium blend: a really good mid-day smoke, great after breakfast. The price is right on these beauties as well.
Ross Rating: 7/10
What alcoholic drink would I pair the VegaFina Original Short Robusto with?
What soft drink would I pair the VegaFina Original Short Robusto with?
Pineapple juice really works well with this cigar.
Would I smoke the VegaFina Original Short Robusto again?
Well made and with decent flavours, it could easily be an everyday smoke for me. Great price point too.
How to Fix a Plugged Cigar
30 January 2023 by Ellie
Your cigar-smoking time is precious, so we know very well how annoying it can be to discover your cigar is plugged and difficult to smoke. So what should you do if you find your cigar is plugged?
At Havana House, we always replace a plugged cigar and send it back to Cuba for inspection, so if a cigar you have purchased from us is plugged, please get in touch. If you can’t return your cigar, then we share some suggestions for last-ditched attempts to save your stogie below.
What is a Plugged Cigar?
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “why is my cigar hard to draw on”, it might be that the cigar was plugged.
Premium cigars are 100% handmade, and this, unfortunately, means that sometimes there is an individual variable that has led to inconsistency that causes a plug – like a knot, lump or twist in the filler tobacco. This is very rare, but it can happen.
When you have a plugged cigar, the draw is very hard and the smoke volume is low. To overcome this, you might try to puff harder on the cigar, but this only creates a terrible technique that can cause harsh and bitter flavours.
Massage the Cigar
The reason most cigars get plugged is that the cigar is rolled much too tightly, or sometimes a bunching near the top of the cigar occurs.
When a professional cigar roller is at work, they will spend quite some time finishing off the cigar where the cap is applied. If the roller gets this moment wrong a stray leaf can close off all the airways, and that becomes a plug.
If the plug is near the foot of the cigar, there is a great chance the heat will unravel the plug as the tobacco softens, and if the plug is near the band, massaging the stogie between your fingertips combined with the heat should help open it up.
If massaging the cigar doesn’t work, then you may have to get a bit more serious and utilise some of the techniques below.
Use a Skewer
Use a metal skewer or bamboo satay stick to pierce a hole all the way through the cigar, or at least until you can feel the plug has been opened up. This can run the risk of the stogie burning a bit too hot and fast, but as aforementioned, this technique can be a better solution than having nothing to smoke at all.
Cut Your Cigar
This method will only really work for larger formats, such as double coronas. Cut your cigar in half and smoke it reversed. This works most times; you may notice quite a bizarre smoking experience because cigars are rolled to be smoked from the foot to the cap. As the blend burns backward, you may encounter unexpected and surprising flavours.
We hope no one reading this has to be put in a situation where they cannot just pull out a fresh stogie from the humidor and stick with the standard cigar-smoking option. However, if you are stuck in the tundra and that last Cuban has a plug, we hope you can draw (excuse the pun) some good advice from this guide.
To ensure you get the best smoking experience every time, take a look at our cigar care tips blog to discover the right way to look after your cigar collection.
Why Your Cigar May Taste Bitter
23 January 2023 by Ellie
There is little more annoying than sitting down to enjoy a smoke and discovering that your cigar tastes bitter after you take a puff. Cigars can taste bitter due to a number of reasons, and even the world’s finest cigars can turn in certain conditions.
So how do cigars end up bitter? We take a look at what causes a cigar to have a bitter flavour, how to fix a bitter cigar, and how you can avoid it from happening to your own cigar collection.
What Causes a Cigar to Taste Bitter?
There are a few things that can cause your cigar to taste bitter.
Over-Humidified Cigars
In order to prevent your cigars from drying out, it is essential to keep your cigars correctly humidified. The easiest and safest way to do this is to store your cigars in a well-made humidor.
One way you can prevent your cigars from over-humidifying in your humidor is to get a digital hygrometer which monitors the humidity inside your humidor. First, you will need to ensure the hygrometer is properly calibrated before it is used. The optimum humidity level for cigars is at around 65%, though anywhere between 62% and 70% should also be fine.
If high humidity turns out to be the cause of your cigar’s bitterness, then dry-boxing a cigar may be the solution. Dry boxing simply involves taking your cigar out of your humidor and leaving it in a cigar box overnight, leaving it to dry out slowly.
Cigar Hasn’t Been Lit Properly
To light a cigar properly and ensure it is burning in the best possible way, you’ll need to use the right type of flame and technique. Sulphur-free wooden matches, as well as cigar lighters with refined pure butane, work well to get you the right flame.
When lighting the cigar, you should keep the cigar above and near the flame without letting it touch. Rotate it until there is a glowing ring all the way around. Gently blow on the embers to create a completely rounded ash before giving the cigar a quick purge to let it cool down a little.
Cigar Head is Too Wet
Bitterness can also come through as a result of the head of the cigar getting too wet. This often happens when people leave their cigars in their mouths for too long; instead, you should hold your cigar in your hand, or rest it on an ashtray, when you’re not taking a puff.
Sense of Taste
Another reason that you may be experiencing bitter tastes could be to do with your own sense of taste. There may be another factor affecting your taste buds, and these can vary widely.
Rather than there being a fault with your cigar, factors such as eating spicy foods, illness and alcohol consumption can all affect your sense of taste, causing the cigar to seem bitter.
A Bad Cigar
If you’ve exhausted all the other possibilities, you may just have to accept something we all face from time to time: a bad cigar. Bitterness can easily be possible with a low-quality cigar, even if you have been doing everything else right.
It also (rarely) happens with premium cigars, as mistakes can be made even by high-end manufacturers. In the end, we all encounter bad cigars, though they are important in helping you find the perfect cigar to suit your tastes and requirements.
Why Does My Cigar Taste Bitter Halfway Through?
Although many cigar smokers think that you can never smoke a cigar too fast, puffing too frequently can make a cigar too hot. When your cigar gets too hot, it can start to make your cigar taste bitter.
Every time you puff, it makes the flavours in the tobacco caramelise and build up, so as you progress through the cigar, the flavour becomes stronger. If you have puffed too hard or too fast when smoking, the flavour in the latter half of the cigar may become bitter.
Likewise, smoking a cigar too slowly can make a cigar almost go out. This leads many smokers to take back-to-back puffs to get the cigar burning again. This also makes the cigar too hot, leaving a bitter taste.
Slow Down Your Smoking
As a rule of thumb, you should only puff your cigar around once a minute; this should mean you enjoy plenty of the cigar’s flavour without overheating the cigar.
You could also try purging your cigar, which involves putting the cigar in your mouth and blowing air out through and around the cigar. This has a ‘purging’ effect on any tar or ammonia build-up.
Clip the Cigar Cap
Another reason your cigar may start to taste bitter is that the cap has been cut too narrow. A narrow cut doesn’t allow as much smoke to be drawn through the cigar as a wider cut would. If it’s too narrow, you may be puffing too often or hard, which can cause bitterness.
Try clipping off the top of the cap with a double-blade guillotine rather than using a cutter that produces a narrower opening, like a punch cutter or V-cutter.
If you want to experience the incredible tastes of premium cigars, then why not check out the range of Cuban cigars available here at Havana House?
How to Rehydrate a Dry Cigar
12 January 2023 by Ellie
Sometimes, despite all your efforts to care for your cigars, a mistake may occur, which leaves your cigar a little dried out. A dry cigar is something all cigar smokers will want to avoid, as it can create a bad-tasting smoke.
A cigar needs to be kept at optimal levels of humidity for the best smoking experience – a relative humidity of approximately 65-70%. If your cigar isn’t stored correctly, it can become dry.
Whether you left a cigar loose in your car or forgot to check the moisture levels in your humidor, there are a number of ways in which we can accidentally cause a cigar to become dry. Whatever the reason may be, there is no need to worry too much as it is possible to rehydrate cigars.
How to Rehumidify a Cigar
The rehumidification process needs to happen gradually. If you just put your dry cigars into a humidor and whack the humidity up to 75%, then the cigars might crack or burst as they have become too humid too quickly. They need to be rehumidified gradually.
The best way to do this is by using Boveda packs. Place your dry cigars in a Tupperware box or Ziploc bag with a Boveda pack.
Boveda packs start at 62% humidity, and you can buy them up to 84% humidity. To gradually introduce humidity to a cigar, begin with a 62% Boveda pack in with your dry cigars, and it will bring them to that level of humidity.
Gradually increase the level of humidity by placing a new Boveda pack in every two weeks. Next, use a 65% pack, then a 69% pack, this might be enough to fix your cigars, but you may need to go up to a 72% pack if it still feels too dry.
What Are Boveda Packs?
Boveda packs are designed to offer a predetermined level of humidity. They are made to gradually release humidity, and they do not require maintenance or monitoring, making them a very easy option for getting the humidity of your cigars right.
The great thing about these self-regulating packs is that you can never over-humidify your cigars – they only ever keep it at the level stated on the packet.
How Long to Rehydrate Cigars?
The process of rehydrating a cigar is not a quick one; it can take weeks or months, in fact, so it is important not to rush it. A cigar that hasn’t been properly rehydrated will still smoke hot and have a bitter and unpleasant taste.
It usually takes between two and six weeks to re-humidify a cigar, depending on how thick the ring gauge is and how dry the cigar itself was when you started. It takes this long as it isn’t enough to just humidify the wrapper; you must allow the moisture time to reach the innermost leaves of the filler.
When Can’t You Rehydrate a Cigar
There are some instances in which you will not be able to rehydrate your cigar:
The wrapper is damaged or cracked.
The cigar has become so dry that all the oils have evaporated from the tobacco.
How to Prepare Your Humidor
If your humidor is what caused the humidification issue in the first place, you will need to re-season your humidor.
First, you need to empty your humidor. Next, with a piece of moist (but not wet) cloth, wipe down the walls of the humidor. Distilled or bottled water is fine, but do not use tap water as it contains minerals and other impurities that can clog the vent holes of humidors.
Next, remoisten the humidification element with distilled water. The humidor will then slowly return to the optimal 70% relative humidity. Once the humidor has reached the right humidity, and your cigars have been rehydrated, the cigars can be placed back into the humidor.
Test the Cigar Before Lighting
Before lighting up your recently rejuvenated cigar, test that it is ready by gently pushing on it with your fingers. It should feel firm but give slightly – a bit like pressing against your finger when you squeeze it. If you hear cracking when you give it a squeeze, then it is too dry. If it feels soft and spongy, then it is too damp.
Letting your cigars get too dry or damp damages them and can impair the wonderful smoking experience they would otherwise offer. The best way to prevent issues with your cigars is to invest in a quality humidor and check on the humidity level on a weekly basis.
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