Uneven Burns

[legaleagle]

Hey guys,

I'm still a newbie when it comes to CCs and would very much appreciate everyone's input. It seems like every CC I've had has been completely hit or miss in terms of burn.

I've had ERDM Choix Supremes, SLR As, HDM #1s and #2s, and Upmann 46s. The flavor on all of them has been great. It just seems like the burn is either pretty good or just terrible and in need of touching up.

With all the NCs I've had, I've rarely had burn issues. Is this pretty common with CCs? Does putting more age on them help remedy some of the burn issues?

Thanks again.

[El Presidente]

As a rule, I rarely comment on burn of a Cuban Cigar until it is 4-5 years of age. From that point I find that they find their own balance and burn generally well. Well aged cigars are close enough to razor sharp in their burn.

Why? Well (and it is only my opinion) Cuban tobacco leaf has a higher % of oil/flavour. It simply takes longer for balance (oil dispersion) to take effect. It is the oil content in the seco which causes the problem. I think Cuban Seco leaf is the best in the world and what really brings out the majority of the distinctive Cuban flavour. They use a high proportion of Seco ...assume a P2 piramide : 2 secos, half ligero and 1 volado. The Seco is oil rich and needs time to meld with the other leaves to achieve that sought after razor sharp burn.

Also, keep an eye on your humidity. I generally smoke mine at 61-63% Rh. Makes a big difference in terms of burn. If you dry box, keep in mind the externals of your cigar will dry out quicker than the filler. Two days is a minimum if ambient humidity is sub 55% (in my opinion).

[partagasd4]

I always seem to have big ash cones in my cigars. What can I do to prevent this?

[El Presidente]

I always seem to have big ash cones in my cigars. What can I do to prevent this?

Smoking outdoors or in?

[partagasd4]

Smoking outdoors or in?

Outdoors

[El Presidente]

Outdoors

I am assuming your outdoor ambient humidity is in the main low. Your wrapper and binder are drying out (burning faster) than your filler (which is more protected).

Wrappers are affected within 10 minutes of a cool dry day. The change is quite remarkable. light up a cigar in those conditions and keep a control cigar in a travel humi. Feel the wrapper on both after 10-15 minutes. You will be amazed.

[partagasd4]

I'll give it a try. Thanks Prez!

[PigFish]

A correct burn is apart of a perfectly constructed cigar. Someone... someone please, show me a perfectly constructed cigar!!!! Welcome to Cuban cigars by the way. We don't (rhetorically speaking) smoke them for the burn!

My friend Rob has a point. I think a properly constructed CC with ligero and/or seco leaves in the core should burn to a convex ash. As a side note, the thread starter being new(ish) to CC's you may wish to dry your cigars out a bit. Poor, really poor burns are sometimes the result of smoking too fresh or too wet a cigar as RA has noted.

CC's are also generally packed firmer than other cigars. Not all the tobacco has access to air pathways all the time. I think this too can cause burn problems. Try some smaller ring or medium ring cigars. Dry them out a bit and smoke your brains out!!! They are superior in many ways to the H4's and robustos, they will dry quicker and they are easier to smoke.

Mr. Piggy

[legaleagle]

Thanks everyone.

[jacksfull]

...If you dry box, keep in mind the externals of your cigar will dry out quicker than the filler. Two days is a minimum if ambient humidity is sub 55% (in my opinion).

Never thought too deeply about this, but like most I'm sure, I've experienced wrappers that dry, crack and peel while enjoying an otherwise well smoking cigar.

Would it make sense to dry box for several days and then go back in the humi just long enough to reinvigorate the wrapper (a few hours? a day? not sure)?

Likewise, I've tried watering the occasional cigar, really just for novelty's sake. But, maybe it's a worthwhile tactic for dry conditions (environment or cigar). What do you think?

[thechenman]

Never thought too deeply about this, but like most I'm sure, I've experienced wrappers that dry, crack and peel while enjoying an otherwise well smoking cigar.

Would it make sense to dry box for several days and then go back in the humi just long enough to reinvigorate the wrapper (a few hours? a day? not sure)?

Likewise, I've tried watering the occasional cigar, really just for novelty's sake. But, maybe it's a worthwhile tactic for dry conditions (environment or cigar). What do you think?

While some may believe it sacreligious, and I never thought I would actually do it in the beginning, I have tried running my cigar under some water prior to smoking during the winter months in the northeast when it is really cold and dry it. It actually worked quite well. Burn stay consistent and the wrappers stopped cracking on me.

[Ken Gargett]

I always seem to have big ash cones in my cigars. What can I do to prevent this?

i assume you mean a lovely pointy bit as it burns down. the rollers would be delighted. they consider that a sign of a very well made cigar. i must say that i love seeing it and it usually means a top cigar.

[partagasd4]

i assume you mean a lovely pointy bit as it burns down. the rollers would be delighted. they consider that a sign of a very well made cigar. i must say that i love seeing it and it usually means a top cigar.

Thanks Ken, good to know. I thought it was happening because I lit the cigar poorly.

[jman]

I think CC's Burn just fine. Most I smoke hold their ash much better than most NC's. CC's are simply the richest cigars in the world.