Am I a cigar ash fetishist?

[Ginseng]

Hey ho folks,

It's been a dog's age since I've posted much here at FOH, but after months of this that and the other, my family and I are all moved down to N. Virginia and I can reconnect with the Habanos community. Life is starting to find its rhythms and most of the repair and upgrade work has been done. It's starting to feel like home. I've even started smoking cigars again...granted, damn tough to do with the incessant 90-100 degree weather we've been having.

Now, to the topic of this post. When I was working on my graduate studies up in Delaware, I frequently did so on the porch with a laptop, a stack of papers, and a traveldor full of cigars. It was not unusual for me to work through 3 or 4 cigars in an afternoon of reading and writing. I was so intent on my work that invariably, I'd end up with a long ash that ultimately dumped on my shirt or keyboard. I suppose it was evidence of my total immersion in the task at hand.

Presently, I don't work quite as intensively, and thus my smoking is a bit more mindful rather than mindless. And so I am aware of the development of my ash. Still, I find myself just leaving it to grow, and grow until, well, you can guess. I seem to have gotten used to dropping ash on myself as a habit. I even half look forward to it, expecting it. So do you think I need therapy? If so, piramide or julieta2?

This morning's cigar: Cuaba EL Piramide.

In recent days: Bolivar Royal Corona, RASS, Partagas something or other.

Wilkey

[semery74]

I purposefully try sometimes to maintain the ash as long as I can. Amazing how some can defy gravity. I was entertaining this massive 22gr Prominente last night. A stick that I got from one of those going out of business sales, so the expectation of perfection was not even realized. It must have been a record breaking ash, it reached half the double corona before it dropped off.

[Ginseng]

I purposefully try sometimes to maintain the ash as long as I can. Amazing how some can defy gravity. I was entertaining this massive 22gr Prominente last night. A stick that I got from one of those going out of business sales, so the expectation of perfection was not even realized. It must have been a record breaking ash, it reached half the double corona before it dropped off.

Impressive! Decorum be damned, but I like seeing a long ash on a cigar.

Wilkey

[PigFish]

Wilkey my friend, I have missed you! I am glad to hear all is well.

I am an ash-amed smoker! Somehow I feel like I have left the ice-cube tray out or something when the ash lands in my lap. I don't mind letting it grow a bit, a long ash makes me bash-full and uneasy! I believe we both need thearapy but that likely stems from too many hours spent on cigar boards where I know I can find other certified Habanotarians, like you!!!! Best Amigo. -Ray

[Colt45]

So do you think I need therapy?

Yes, but I'm not so sure it has anything to do with cigars

Personally, I like to ash my cigars before they ash me.

[daboose]

Yes, but I'm not so sure it has anything to do with cigars

Personally, I like to ash my cigars before they ash me.

Ditto....every time I've tried to hang onto that ash and BANG...it's in my lap.

[groza]

I try to keep the ash on the cigar as long as possible (at least 4cm) because it's visually appealing to me. But anticipating the moment when it drops just is a game that you can't always win ... the buildup of ash in my sofa keep on growing.

[Disburden]

I like to let an ash develop too, try to keep it as long as possible without dropping by smoking slow and cool. I think an ash lengthening on the cigar adds to the flavor profile. Good post!

[El Presidente]

Welcome back Wilkey!!!

...can you determine the country source of the tobacco from the ash?

have you reached the highest plane of "Ash Mastery"

[cgarner]

I too let my ash grow and grow. I've noticed that right after the ash drops my cigar either goes out or starts to burn uneven.

[Colt45]

...can you determine the country source of the tobacco from the ash?

Not everybody is gullible enough to eat ash.........

[lemmycaution]

I used to leave the ash on my cigars as long as possible. Now I let the ash develop and give the cigar one gentle tap. If the ash is ready to fall, so be it. I don't know how much smoking with a long ash contributes to flavor. I really don't get any offensive flavors when the ash is left on the cigar. Although, I would think that pulling air through the ash when you draw on the cigar would affect the taste. I just don't know...

[Guest rob]

Yo Wilkey. Good to see you back Amigo!

I love me some good ash development. Not just length - I am intrigued by colour, texture and form. Tapping off the ash generally makes me realise I am well into the 2nd quarter of my smoke.

[Colt45]

I just don't know...

I've had some similar questions regarding ash - here's a link to a thread if interested:

Link

Wilkey was going to add a theory or two, but was unable to due to real life obligations obviously more important than offering enlightenment

to his brothers and sisters - those of us who look to him for scientific guidance - here at FOH.

Not that I'm trying to guilt him into it now.........

Wilkey.

[jsd]

I like to let it develop a while before letting it drop off. But it mostly depends on where I am smoking. I am quicker to tap it in the ashtray if at a shop. If in the garage or outside I usually let it drop on it's own. Sometimes you can tell if it is fragile and ready to drop, or solid and can wait a bit longer just by looking at it. I've had my share of ashy shirt or lap though.

[CanuckSARTech]

I used to leave the ash on my cigars as long as possible. Now I let the ash develop and give the cigar one gentle tap. If the ash is ready to fall, so be it. I don't know how much smoking with a long ash contributes to flavor. I really don't get any offensive flavors when the ash is left on the cigar. Although, I would think that pulling air through the ash when you draw on the cigar would affect the taste. I just don't know...

I second this.

I've run into many "posers" (or wankers, I guess) who are adament that I'm doing a huge injustice to cigars if I actually tap the ash off in an ashtray, and not just constantly hover my hand and the cigar over an ashtray until it is ready to fall off. These are also the same types that will light their cigar with a Bic or Zippo fluid lighter, or will just keep cigars in a tool drawer in the garage (without care or storage).

I've had a number of shirts ruined by a hot ash falling on them (I like golf shirts, many of which are the synthetic, ie - Under Armour -types).

No more. I tend to not let the ash grow longer than a third long. Like Lemmy said, a quick tap of caution, and then go from there.

A firm ash is a sexy thing though.

[MrGlass]

I'll keep an eye on it and if it's solid then let it grow.

As much as I like the look of the ash developing, I also prefer it more in the ashtray than on me. Unfortunately, this is like having cake and eating it too - it doesn't work out too well in practice. I have covered myself in ash on numerous occasions, but I am getting better at picking it.

[Jesuscookies]

No comments on the ash, as I truly do not care Just wanted to say hi, and glad to see you up and posting.

[dicko]

I tend to let it drop on me too (although I prefer it on the ground or ashtray)!! not for aesthetic reasons, but because i think the burn can go off wierdways if i tap the ash off, just my experience

[Ginseng]

Wilkey my friend, I have missed you! I am glad to hear all is well...I believe we both need thearapy but that likely stems from too many hours spent on cigar boards where I know I can find other certified Habanotarians, like you!!!! Best Amigo. -Ray

It's good to be back, Ray. Life has been far too serious as of late. It's nice to let a little pleasure back in.

Yes, but I'm not so sure it has anything to do with cigars

Not the first time I've heard it and not likely the last.

I like to let an ash develop too, try to keep it as long as possible without dropping by smoking slow and cool. I think an ash lengthening on the cigar adds to the flavor profile. Good post!

I too let my ash grow and grow. I've noticed that right after the ash drops my cigar either goes out or starts to burn uneven.

I haven't made any systematic effort to notice what ash does or doesn't do to the taste. But to cgarner's point, in more humid weather, I've noticed that a long ash tends to disguise a faltering coal. When the ash drops and the coal is not conical but sort of inset into the cigar, I know humidity has gotten the better of the cigar. In that case, flavor almost always goes to hell shortly thereafter.

Welcome back Wilkey!!!

...can you determine the country source of the tobacco from the ash?

have you reached the highest plane of "Ash Mastery"

Good to be back, well, at least posting. And while I can't tell the source country from the ash, I can tell how hard I'm working by the amount of effort I put into dusting the ash off of my computer.

Yo Wilkey. Good to see you back Amigo!

I love me some good ash development. Not just length - I am intrigued by colour, texture and form. Tapping off the ash generally makes me realise I am well into the 2nd quarter of my smoke.

Rob, howya doin? Well said. There is truly a diversity of character in ash. From what I've experienced and read of other's experiences, there's enough to write an article on it.

I second this.

I've run into many "posers" (or wankers, I guess) who are adament that I'm doing a huge injustice to cigars if I actually tap the ash off in an ashtray, and not just constantly hover my hand and the cigar over an ashtray until it is ready to fall off. These are also the same types that will light their cigar with a Bic or Zippo fluid lighter, or will just keep cigars in a tool drawer in the garage (without care or storage).

I've had a number of shirts ruined by a hot ash falling on them (I like golf shirts, many of which are the synthetic, ie - Under Armour -types).

No more. I tend to not let the ash grow longer than a third long. Like Lemmy said, a quick tap of caution, and then go from there.

A firm ash is a sexy thing though.

Good for you! Never be reticent to treat the cigar in exactly the way you feel it ought to be treated. Of course, cigar smoking confidence and character such as this only truly comes from experience.

I tend to let it drop on me too (although I prefer it on the ground or ashtray)!! not for aesthetic reasons, but because i think the burn can go off wierdways if i tap the ash off, just my experience

Can't say as I've ever had that problem. But then again, when I ash, I touch up the entire rim with my torch lighter. Sets it straight as a fiddle.

Finally, I must say I'm very, very disappointed that there was not one crack along the lines of being an "ass" fetishist. But then again, that's a thread for another day.

Wilkey

[CanuckSARTech]

...Finally, I must say I'm very, very disappointed that there was not one crack along the lines of being an "ass" fetishist. But then again, that's a thread for another day.

Wilkey

What?!?! I tried to hit that point for you, Wilkey:

...A firm ash is a sexy thing though.

I thought the smiley faces would help it out.

[leojvs]

oh man, every time an ash will fall, it falls on me. It can be 3 inches, or 5mm, down it goes. Ive had it fall on keyboards, in my coffee, in a glass of 12 y.o. singe malt etc.

I have grown used to it, and its becoming a joke amongst friends.

[Kangaroo495]

I too let my ash grow and grow. I've noticed that right after the ash drops my cigar either goes out or starts to burn uneven.

Same here. That's why I always try to leave the ash on for as long as possible. The cigar tends to lose the slightest bit of flavour too right after the ash drops.

[Ginseng]

What?!?! I tried to hit that point for you, Wilkey:

I thought the smiley faces would help it out.

And so you did. And yes I missed it.

Wilkey

[CanuckSARTech]

And so you did. And yes I missed it.

Wilkey