How long do you keep your ash?


Recommended Posts

It was a nice 65 degrees outside so I decided to have a decent smoke outside after dinner. I took out a RASS from a recent box I got couple of weeks ago, what an amazing cigar. The draw was open and I enjoyed every second of it.. I tried to maintain a good length of ash and with this stick it wasn't hard one bit, the ash actually stayed quite a bit and more than usual. I know keeping a good length of ash keeps the cigar cool and it says a lot about the quality of the stick and how it was rolled. Is there any negatives of keeping the ash this long? How long do you try to keep the ash on your stick?

image_2.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As long as it will hold. You start to get a feel for how long the different ring gages are going to hold on before you need to tap them. I've done the longest ash thing before and I find there is little enjoyment of the cigar when you are trying to protect the ash.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

About an inch is fine for me as well - I'd rather ash the cigar than it ash me.

On a side note, are we sure ash keeps the ember cool (by restricting air to the ember). Might it actually keep the ember hotter by insulating it, like a house in winter. Or, might it make no difference either way, as once we draw, we bring air over the ember, regardless of the ash surrounding it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Usually no longer than trash day.

Good 1 jester.gif

But seriously, it depends -

I've had cigars which held an ash about 2 thirds of the length,

some wouldn't hold a bare 5 mm -

and I had everything in between.

Sometimes it's nice to try for a long ash, sometimes I can't be bothered.

I guess it's called life?

Cheers, Alex

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I try to keep my ash in shape. The truth is I am not very good at doing so.

If I'm outside, whenever it falls off. If I'm in the car or inside a smoke lounge/club, about an inch or so.

+1

The car is the only time I really pay serious attention. When it falls in the car that is a pain in the ash.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On a side note, are we sure ash keeps the ember cool (by restricting air to the ember). Might it actually keep the ember hotter by insulating it, like a house in winter. Or, might it make no difference either way, as once we draw, we bring air over the ember, regardless of the ash surrounding it.

Actually that is a very good point you bring up. This stick was running a bit hot. I was thinking it might be because it had a pretty open draw and the minimum air breathe but didn't think of your analogy, kind of makes sense to me. However, id take a very open draw and a hot cigar any day over a plugged one.?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Actually that is a very good point you bring up.

It's something that's been discussed in the past, with no clear consensus as to the benefit (or not) of leaving ash. I think I fall into the category that it probably makes little difference either way.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't usually "try" to build up a long ash because I like to purge my cigars while I smoke. I'll smoke robusos until about a third is ash then gently tap off the ash and purge. The flavors brighten in my experience and if there is progression in the blend it's more pronounced after a purge.

I also use distilled holy water in my humidors and smoke upside down jester.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I generally try to keep close to an inch of ash on the cigar. If it is longer, that's OK.

I think a longer ash keeps the cigar alight longer, and keeps the cigar burning evenly.

I find if the ash is always short, I have to draw on the cigar more frequently, making for a hotter smoke.

I smoked a Monte Especial yesterday, with a consistent 3/4/ inch ash and really loved the way it burned.

Tasted great too!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

Community Software by Invision Power Services, Inc.