Time Between Draws

[Colt45]

Many members have espoused the concept of smoking slowly to keep a cigar cool, which helps maintain good flavor - especially with

thinner cigars. In my mind, it requires a cigar that draws and burns properly.

This really showed itself with the Cohiba Robusto I smoked last week. I found that the longer I waited between draws, the more flavorful

the following draw would be. But then, this particular cigar had great construction, a perfect draw, and excellent combustion, which manifested

itself in a relatively whitish ash. I never had to worry about this one dying out.

Though sometimes a bit difficult, I try to keep this in mind.

[Shelby07]

I have found that if the cigar should start to go out an easy pull after about 10 seconds will revive it nicely. Rarely do I need to huff and puff to get it going again.

[SamuraiJack]

The more I smoke, the more I'm convinced that tobacco can vary drastically in combustibility, regardless of RH. Maybe I'm nuts, but construction and draw and RH seem to get get trumped sometimes.

[gehrig24]

But then, this particular cigar had great construction, a perfect draw, and excellent combustion, which manifested

itself in a relatively whitish ash. I never had to worry about this one dying out.

Do you feel that weather conditions (wind, hot, cold) can play a part in the cigar staying lit when you go longer periods between draws? I have noticed even with a slight steady breeze some cigars just to not have the staying power to stay lit when I let them rest.

Just curious, how long did you wait in between puffs?

[jeromeroselli]

Give a cigar to a non-smoker and watch them give it 100 puffs a minute. I love the puff-puff-puff action like a steam train.

It seems that cigarette smokers think it should take only 3-5 minutes to smoke a churchill.

[gostgost]

I've done that, given a non cigar smoker a very cheap cigar after bugging the crap out of me as to why I never bring a cigar for him. Not only was it funny watching all the smoke but also to watch this fellow turn every shade of green by the time he got to the half way point.

He never did get the idea of how to smoke a cigar but now he doesn't bug us for a cigar either.

[laficion]

Ross, Great change of pace thread, I alwaye smoke my cigar slowly,

taking a draw every 15 or 20 secs, I guess I don't count LOL

I find that the cigar does not heat up even if the draw is a bit dificult,

and above all , I keep the head of my cigar DRY, hate a wet & driping cigar , YEEEK,

Taking your time, increases the time of your cigar and the flavor.

[jledou]

I would fully agree that taking your time will definitely add to your enjoyment of any cigar.

That being said, the amount of time does depend on the cigar and the conditions.

More often then not for me though it depends on whether I am sitting down and enjoying a cigar or whether I am having a cigar while doing other things around the house/yard. Sitting down enjoying = a slower smoke.

[Colt45]

The more I smoke, the more I'm convinced that tobacco can vary drastically in combustibility, regardless of RH. Maybe I'm nuts, but construction and draw and RH seem to get get trumped sometimes.

I know what you mean. Oil content, etc, can all have an effect. Generally though, I find I don't have to be as concerned with a properly constructed cigar

dying out.

Do you feel that weather conditions (wind, hot, cold) can play a part in the cigar staying lit when you go longer periods between draws?

Just curious, how long did you wait in between puffs?

I think windy conditions can cause problems - it was a fairly calm day. I did not time draws, but once I came to the realization, I intentionally tried to go longer -

perhaps up to two minutes. What I found was that while the cigar was always flavorful, there was more nuance of flavor when I waited longer between draws.

This brings up another point - I guess you need a flavorful cigar to begin with. A dull cigar will be a dull cigar no matter how long in between puffs

Ross, Great change of pace thread,

Well, it is a cigar forum, after all

[Guest rob]

I've never really timed it.

I listen to music when I smoke... and for me that there are probably 4 - 8 tugs of smoke in a 4 minute song.

Though some poorly burning cigars have me going every 20 seconds.

[cigarros]

Give a cigar to a non-smoker and watch them give it 100 puffs a minute. I love the puff-puff-puff action like a steam train.

It seems that cigarette smokers think it should take only 3-5 minutes to smoke a churchill.

Agree compleatly! LOL

[Fuzz AI]

Give a cigar to a non-smoker and watch them give it 100 puffs a minute. I love the puff-puff-puff action like a steam train.

It seems that cigarette smokers think it should take only 3-5 minutes to smoke a churchill.

I've got a mate like that! Smoked a Siglo VI in under 30 minutes!!

If he keeps it up I'm getting him some RyJ Cazadores. That'll turn him a lovely shade of green.

[El Presidente]

For me, the thinner the guage of cigar the longer time between draws.

Every cigar (and situation) has its own nuances. I an mindfull of never overheating a cigar so I need to take into account the draw (underfilling, overfilling of the bunch), moisture content (youth), prevailing weather condiions if smoking outside (humidity, breeze).

When you break it down there appears to be a lot to it but a simple assessment of the cigar and the conditions for a brief minute sorts it out quickly.

[Ginseng]

Great question, Ross.

My draw rate varies quite a bit over the life of a cigar. Why? Partly because I am typically engaged in other things while smoking. Partly because the draw intensity (how hard you pull), draw rate (time between draws), and draw depth (how long you pull for) can significantly affect what you get. What combination I choose at the time is a function of the cigar and the environment and is done almost instinctively.

For example, when smoking the very strongest non-Cuban cigars (e.g., Joya de Nicaragua Antaños, La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero Oscuro) I find that the only way I can tolerate these is to draw very shallow, very slowly, and waiting so long between puffs that the cigar just about extinguishes. In this way, I have been able to elicit a fascinating and delicious palette of flavors that otherwise would be completely swamped by the raw nicotine. For me, these cigars are unsmokable by any other method but quite satisfying smoked in this way.

Alternatively, for very light, mild cigars, I will periodically use deep, strong pulls, a few in succession to generate more heat in the coal in the attempt to amplify the flavors. Granted, this can change the character of the cigar but, in some cases, it's either this or nothing. For example, some 1970's Monte Tubos I have are so mild that even expelling their pure smoke nasally gives little to no detectable flavor. However, judicious hot-boxing can cause them to amp up a bit where I can discern flavor notes.

Wilkey

[Kangaroo495]

Three points:

1. Does the initial lighting of the cigar have any effect on its draw? I am terrible at lighting, and often have to correct the burn throughout the cigar - perhaps there is a link here? I would find it extraordinarily useful if someone put a video on the forum of them lighting a cigar properly - close up.

2. Sometimes one side of the cigar burns better than the other. If I rotate the cigar, the bad side begins to burn better. Perhaps there is something about the way I smoke... Lopsided..?

3. I often have tunneling problems, but perhaps I'm being paranoid. Should there be a thin orange glowing burn line along theedge of the wrapper during smoking? For me, the edge of the wrapper often starts to get black, signifying that the cigar is buring inside, but not outside. Occasionally, the black will turn in to orange if I take a few quick puffs. I'm sure this is not normal.

[Fuzz AI]

Three points:

1. Does the initial lighting of the cigar have any effect on its draw? I am terrible at lighting, and often have to correct the burn throughout the cigar - perhaps there is a link here? I would find it extraordinarily useful if someone put a video on the forum of them lighting a cigar properly - close up.

2. Sometimes one side of the cigar burns better than the other. If I rotate the cigar, the bad side begins to burn better. Perhaps there is something about the way I smoke... Lopsided..?

3. I often have tunneling problems, but perhaps I'm being paranoid. Should there be a thin orange glowing burn line along theedge of the wrapper during smoking? For me, the edge of the wrapper often starts to get black, signifying that the cigar is buring inside, but not outside. Occasionally, the black will turn in to orange if I take a few quick puffs. I'm sure this is not normal.

Interesting points. I'm sure there are a hundred and one different opinions on how to light up, from using only spanish cedar matches to that lucky lighter you got on the day your girlfriend and wife met each other and none were the wiser. I would say that if you applied the torch flame directly to the foot and leave it there while taking a few puffs, that would certainly affect the burn than just toasting the foot.

As for your point of the lopsided burn, you wouldn't happen to be smoking anywhere there was a breeze? I find when smoking outdoors the breeze always causes one side to burn faster than the other.

[Kangaroo495]

Interesting points. I'm sure there are a hundred and one different opinions on how to light up, from using only spanish cedar matches to that lucky lighter you got on the day your girlfriend and wife met each other and none were the wiser. I would say that if you applied the torch flame directly to the foot and leave it there while taking a few puffs, that would certainly affect the burn than just toasting the foot.

As for your point of the lopsided burn, you wouldn't happen to be smoking anywhere there was a breeze? I find when smoking outdoors the breeze always causes one side to burn faster than the other.

Thanks mate. I've got the flame lighter, but I really can't get the hang of "toasting" vs "burning"... That's annoying.

Normally smoke inside, so no danger of a breeze. But perhaps it means my cutting is lopsided..?

[aavkk]

Thanks mate. I've got the flame lighter, but I really can't get the hang of "toasting" vs "burning"... That's annoying.

Normally smoke inside, so no danger of a breeze. But perhaps it means my cutting is lopsided..?

what works for me is after cutting the cigar and determining a good draw is to take my torch and be sure to hold the flame just far enough away to toast the foot. I do this all the way around and slowly. Once i am sure I have it lit completely and evenly I blow gently into the foot to be sure (the entire foot should glow). This helps ensure you haven't just got one side lit. That's just my style and it works for me. I don't like using soft flame lighters because I often burn the side of the cigar during the initial light.

[smokem]

As stated, slowing down can do wonders. I tend to smoke too quickly and try to remind myself to take more time between puffs. I've actually once had a cigar starting to get harsh, so I lit another and then smoked both, alternating. I don't recommend this, but it worked.

[Deeks]

Lately I've had to make a conscious effort to smoke slowly.

I had a tendency to get a overzealous with my better cigars and want to keep the stream of smoke almost constant.

A good tug every thirty seconds or so does me well.

[cigargirl85]

I'm not a cigarette smoker so perhaps that's why unlike other newbies I tend to smoke too slowly (I often have to relight even the Punch Petit Punches and Party Shorts that are my regular smokes ).