Geaux Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 It seems that some of the old ways are being forgotten. I remember my great grandpa use to always lick the wrapper of his cigar. The whole thing... for what seemed several minutes. Not sure why, I can guess, but never heard it from the horses mouth - I was just knee-high to a grasshopper back then so didn't really care. Also, I see a bunch of antique humidors that are lined with copper. Again, not sure why. Two examples of old ways that are no longer seen. Any ideas on these? Any other old-timer cigar tricks no longer used? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordAnubis Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 I'm guessing the licking thing achieves the same result as "rinsing" a cigar before smoking. I rinse my cigars before I smoke them if I get the chance. As for the copper, I imagine it was for availability of the metal and looks more than any real science. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zrotfus Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 I'm guessing the licking thing achieves the same result as "rinsing" a cigar before smoking. I rinse my cigars before I smoke them if I get the chance. Mmm could you explain what you mean by "rinsing" cigars? I don't know that I've heard of that before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginseng Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Mmm could you explain what you mean by "rinsing" cigars? I don't know that I've heard of that before. In cool and/or dry weather, smoking a cigar outdoors can result in cracking or splitting of the wrapper especially if it is fine and thin. This occurs because as the tobacco on the inside of the cigar, the filler bunch, heats up, it will expand. If the wrapper can't adjust in time, it will break. Running a cigar under clear water and then patting dry in a paper towel for 15-30 seconds is often enough to dampen the wrapper such that it gains a bit of elasticity and so can stretch along as the cigar starts to burn. Since I have been employing this technique, I've never had a wrapper split on me. As for the copper, aside from repelling garden slugs that might get into your humidor, it's probably just for decorative purposes. Wilkey 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laficion Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Hi all, The reason why they licked the cigars,In the early days of 1900's, was to take off the chemical glues they used In those days. The reason they used Copper to line their humidors was because they though that It was better to have Copper to better keep their cigars.That was over In the 40's. Guy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginseng Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Ouch! So better to ingest the glues than to inhale their burning residue. So glad I live in the 21st century. Thank you for that insight, Guy! Wilkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsgucia Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Should the PSP be licked? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtrimbath Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 I'm pretty sure the copper lining had something to do with it's antimicrobial properties. I'm positive it had more of a purpose than decorative purposes. I'm going to Google this now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleDD Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Yeah I remember Bill Clinton use to..... ah never mind. Wasn't that Monica that would lick it? Zing! ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter1974 Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Wasn't that Monica that would lick it? Zing! Trying to keep it PG 13 but if memory serves me correct it wasn't her mouth ole dirty Bill was using for a humidor and I've said enough! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnS Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 What about dipping your cigar in cognac (or brandy).What was the purpose of that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
free85 Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 In cool and/or dry weather, smoking a cigar outdoors can result in cracking or splitting of the wrapper especially if it is fine and thin. This occurs because as the tobacco on the inside of the cigar, the filler bunch, heats up, it will expand. If the wrapper can't adjust in time, it will break. Running a cigar under clear water and then patting dry in a paper towel for 15-30 seconds is often enough to dampen the wrapper such that it gains a bit of elasticity and so can stretch along as the cigar starts to burn. Since I have been employing this technique, I've never had a wrapper split on me. Interesting. You run it under your faucet or pour out some distilled water on it? Any reason why you wouldn't just wet the paper towel and use that instead? Not criticism, it's curiosity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geaux Posted February 26, 2015 Author Share Posted February 26, 2015 Trying to keep it PG 13 but if memory serves me correct it wasn't her mouth ole dirty Bill was using for a humidor and I've said enough! He was absolutely using a different orifice on Monica to "wet" his cigars..... Does that stay within the realm of PG 13? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geaux Posted February 26, 2015 Author Share Posted February 26, 2015 What about dipping your cigar in cognac (or brandy).What was the purpose of that? I almost always do this with the cap before cutting. I like my cigars on the dry-isn side, so to prevent creating a crackhead I simply moisten the cap with the dram of choice. I have been told it helps to blend the pairing... but I am not so sure this is accurate. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Smallclub Posted February 26, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted February 26, 2015 Are we really doomed to suffer these endless "Monica" jokes in every thread about cigar's wetness, 15 years later? 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter1974 Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 He was absolutely using a different orifice on Monica to "wet" his cigars..... Does that stay within the realm of PG 13? Might kinda pushing but I think you're safe lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westg Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 It seems that some of the old ways are being forgotten. I remember my great grandpa use to always lick the wrapper of his cigar. The whole thing... for what seemed several minutes. Not sure why, I can guess, but never heard it from the horses mouth - I was just knee-high to a grasshopper back then so didn't really care. Also, I see a bunch of antique humidors that are lined with copper. Again, not sure why. Two examples of old ways that are no longer seen. Any ideas on these? Any other old-timer cigar tricks no longer used? I smoke cigars with a friend in his seventies once a month ...he licks the whole cigar because he thinks it helps with the burn I tell him he is just a very sick old man .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianbeaver Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 A friend said her grandfather simply kept apple cores in his small box style humidor. The natural amount of moisture and the sweet aroma did the trick for him. Dead fruit would not be my way but sounds interesting, especially in the Depression or on "the farm" or whatever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginseng Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Interesting. You run it under your faucet or pour out some distilled water on it? Any reason why you wouldn't just wet the paper towel and use that instead? Not criticism, it's curiosity. No worries, always happy to expand. I use the flow from my countertop dual filter water system. What I actually do is as follows: hold cigars head up at a slight angle move the cigars gently under water stream for 10-ish seconds making sure the entire wrapper is washed over wipe off beaded or bulk water with fingers roll up gently in paper towel for 30 - 60 seconds, a little more is no problem unroll, let surface dry out just a bit, usually setting things up, getting a drink, etc. does it Light and smoke as usual Wilkey 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habana Mike Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 My wife picked up a copper lined antique humidor for me several years ago.Not sure of the practicality as the door does not seal well and there is a hole in the top which held a recessed ashtray. Also no apparent humidification device. My thought on the use of copper is that there may have been a belief it would be more impervious to moisture than wood thus better retaining moisture as it wouldn't be absorbed by the wood.I haven't as yet actually tested if it would provide any stability so may run a couple of experiments, one in current state and another where I seal the door and hole. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginseng Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Anyone else look at that and thinking chamber pot stand? Wilkey 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuzz Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Anyone else look at that and thinking chamber pot stand? Wilkey Yep, had the exact same thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Gargett Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Are we really doomed to suffer these endless "Monica" jokes in every thread about cigar's wetness, 15 years later? could not agree more. surely they have been done to death. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habana Mike Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Anyone else look at that and thinking chamber pot stand? Wilkey It would have to for very small children or as just a pissoir, the handle on top would get in the way and the hole is not that big! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
free85 Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 I, too, am with you on that. Neat piece though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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