Cigar discipline - timing between puffs

[Stanislaw]

We all have our ways. We all have smoked enough to know that the choices we make on the when/where/how's of enjoying a cigar can affect the overall experience. How disciplined are we really though?

I decided to have a little fun with my evening smoke and I set a stopwatch up and for the fun of it, I began timing how many seconds would tick off before I'd go for the next puff. I'll share my results but I'd love to see if anyone else gives it a try and if so please share if you had any noticeable differences in how the cigar smoked for you.

i decided on a Bond Roberts Petit 109 because for me right now that cigar just gives me a lot of what I want in a smoke and they always (so far) smoke like a well aged Cuban I remember from back in the late 90's. Upon first lighting the cigar I was taking a puff about every 45 seconds. I then tried to resist the temptation for a minute and a half and found the cigar was more pleasant, less hot and the smoke more flavorful. As the ash made its way closer and closer I continued to smoke around 1:30 and the result was the same for me: more flavor, better deeper flavorful smoke. I didn't have the discipline to consistently hold out for the entire minute and a half but soon I began to realize I wasn't rushing the cigar, I was genuinely relaxing. It had a greater affect as I got close to nubbing the cigar, waiting until it seemed as if the cigar out go out, then taking a good pull and getting a ton of soft, juicy smoke.  

I also averaged out how many seconds I'd puff the cigar for and it turned out to be just under five seconds.

Anyone else want to give this a try and weigh in? I'd love to hear your thoughts on as it's something I've always been fascinated about but sadly I lack discipline 😜

[zacca]

Generally I’m pretty good about it, but I’ve tried to be more aware of it. Like you it’s tough to maintain discipline sometimes.

If it’s really good, you want more of it. But other times, if I’m dealing with a somewhat firm draw and the smoke output is really thin, I’ll keep going at it more frequently in attempt to get it going or get some flavors out.

[Li Bai]

To me, smoking cigars is about letting go so I don't bring discipline into it.

Well tbh, I don't anymore, when I started I averaged 1ppm (puff per minute) as Zino advised and I'm probably still there today 🤔

[MrBirdman]

I think that drilling yourself with a clock early on can be helpful. Yes, it adds tedium to the experience, but it helped me get a sense of the right pace after years of smoking too quickly. After a month or two I no longer needed it. Once you expedience the flavor benefits of slowing down, you will be much more inclined to put effort into smoking that way. 

[Ford2112]

I smoke on the slow side of things. Took a little practice. It depends on the cigar. 

[griller]

5 hours ago, Li Bai said:

To me, smoking cigars is about letting go so I don't bring discipline into it.

Well tbh, I don't anymore, when I started I averaged 1ppm (puff per minute) as Zino advised and I'm probably still there today 🤔

This is me 100%. I'm probably a 1ppm as well but do try to consciously slow down on the cigars that are delivering nuance & complexity. Part of the problem I run into has to do with my obsession with the burn line. I try to avoid using the torch for touch ups when there is an uneven burn, so sometimes I tend to draw more frequently in an effort to keep all the wrapper lit throughout the smoking experience.