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Cigars/Is there an optimal method for drawing?

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Expert: - 6/17/2008


Question
When I draw my cigar, I usually take 2 very short/quick puffs, followed by a 3rd long draw.  And my exhale is slow, basically pushing the smoke out with my tongue, throw pursed lips.  I'll do this about 1 or 2 times per minute.  How does this technique sound in terms of getting good flavor from my cigar?  How do you do it?  Thanks!!

Answer
Hi Dennis,

Everybody has their own smoking technique but on average, cigar smokers generally take 1 short puff and then 1 long draw per minute.  (This is also the technique that I normally use.)  The initial short puff will stoke the cigar burn while the long draw will gather a good mouthful of smoke.  Taking any more unnecessary puffs can cause the cigar to burn hotter and faster which compromises the flavour.  For smokers who take 2-3 draws per minute, the initial short puff usually isn't even required because the cigar burn is constantly kept strong by the shorter frequency of puffs per minute.

Your exhale technique is perfect.  Again, everybody has their own individual smoking technique so it's important that you find your comfort zone and decide what technique works best for you.

Hopes this answers your question.  As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask.

Regards,
James

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James Yee

Expertise

My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".

Experience

I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.

Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)


Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto

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