To cut or to punch, that is the question...

[Montaigut]

Hi FOH Senseis,

This is a question I have wrestled with for a while now. Does the type of cut affect the taste experience?

So far I have used a punch and/or a double blade cutter but I have yet to put my mind to rest. Mostly because you can't really compare the two types of cut on the same cigar (or can you?).

Tried again today with Montes No. 4. One with a punch, the other with a cutter. Both good smokes, both different but so what does it mean? I can't deal with me trying a v-cut at this point: I obviously confuse too easily...

Which brings me to another topic. Do you expect (all things being equal) to see "noticeable" differences between cigars from the same box?

Thanks for helping to clear the smoke (from my mind).

Dan

[anacostiakat]

Hi FOH Senseis,

This is a question I have wrestled with for a while now. Does the type of cut affect the taste experience?

So far I have used a punch and/or a double blade cutter but I have yet to put my mind to rest. Mostly because you can't really compare the two types of cut on the same cigar (or can you?).

Tried again today with Montes No. 4. One with a punch, the other with a cutter. Both good smokes, both different but so what does it mean? I can't deal with me trying a v-cut at this point: I obviously confuse too easily...

Which brings me to another topic. Do you expect (all things being equal) to see "noticeable" differences between cigars from the same box?

Thanks for helping to clear the smoke (from my mind).

Dan

Notable differences within a box of cigars. Yes you will. Consistency is difficult to come by.

I don't use a punch much. Occasionally on any larger ring cigars. I never use a v-cut. Do not care for it.

Hope this helps some.

[bassman]

Pretty much always find some cigars better than others in the same box. As for cutting, most cigars get cut, but for PCs & TPCs, I slice a small X into the cap with an X-acto blade. Seems to concentrate the flavor.

[cigcars]

*Before I read Zino Davidoff's book, "The Cigar Connoisseur" I used to have my sun rise and set on the V-cut. I'd read in Tinderbox's cigar advice guide on the various types of cuts that the V-cut not only gave a clean opening, but kept any residual tobacco bits away from the tongue. Then Zino Davidoff had said he only used the guillotine cut. Not anything else, V's or especially hole-punches. Now, all my cigar cutters, the Zino, my Xikar Mean Sardine, and the various freebies from Olivas or Oliveras are all Guillotine cutters.

[Ken Gargett]

Do you expect (all things being equal) to see "noticeable" differences between cigars from the same box?

yes. yes. yes.

[#2 man]

why can't you start out with a punch cut for a third or first ash then use a guillotine and finish the rest to compare the difference ? I think you'll notice the tar build up being gone a big difference

[adic88]

Yes, cigars from the same boxes will vary, sometimes vary a LOT. But this is part of the joy for me, you just never know what you're going to get.

As to the cut vs punch -- yes, there are differences, even in terms of flavour, especially on the larger cigars which have more time for tar buildup.

Tar by nature is bitter. With a punch, the tar buildup is more focused on that little hole, while on a full cut, its a bit more evenly spread out.

Bitter is not necessarily bad... some cigars like the Bolivar Gigantes, well aged, you'll find that the bitter sweetness of the flavours once you hit the last third in a punched cigar, is quite a treat. Cutting the cigar, that bitterness is bit muted, so the "kick" is less pronounced; you get a much sweeter flavour.

On smaller cigars, it doesn't really make much of a difference, since there is just so much less tar to be had.

The exception to this is if the cigar is drawing a bit firmly, or tight. Full cuts may help ease the draw somewhat.

[Jesuscookies]

I use a punch or just bite a small hole in the tip. Either way the cap seems to come off before I am half way done.

For me it is just simple preference. I don't think it matters much either way.

[Leopolis Semper Fidelis]

I used to punch, but now prefer a double-guillotined cut - to obtain a better draw and avoid a concentration of tar and bitterness.