Enjoying a premium cigar is a ritual, and knowing how to properly extinguish it for later savoring is crucial. Improperly extinguishing your cigar can ruin the flavor profile for the next smoke, leaving you with a bitter taste, literally and figuratively. This guide will walk you through the best methods to ensure your cigar remains enjoyable for its next lighting.
Why is Proper Extinguishing Important?
Before diving into the methods, let's understand why simply stubbing out your cigar isn't ideal. Leaving a cigar unextinguished can lead to:
- Unpleasant Taste: The lingering ember can create an acrid, burnt taste upon relighting, ruining the subtle nuances of your cigar's flavor.
- Wasted Tobacco: The burning end can continue to smolder, wasting valuable tobacco and affecting the draw.
- Damaged Cigar: Improper extinguishing can damage the wrapper leaf, potentially leading to uneven burning or even cracking in the future.
Methods to Extinguish a Cigar for Later
Here are several effective methods, ranging from simple to more sophisticated:
1. The Cigar Cutter Method: A Quick and Easy Approach
This is a straightforward technique that most cigar aficionados will find suitable. Gently press the lit end of the cigar against the bottom of a sturdy ashtray or a hard, non-porous surface. This will effectively snuff out the ember while minimizing the risk of damaging the cigar.
2. The Ash Tray Method: Simple and Effective
Use a heavy ashtray. Gently press the lit end of your cigar into the ashes already accumulated in your ashtray. Rotate the cigar gently, ensuring that the ember is completely extinguished. This method is preferred by some because it allows you to completely smother the ember without significant pressure.
3. The Punch Cutter Method: For a More Precise Extinguishing
If you're comfortable, use the flat end of a cigar punch cutter to gently press against the lit end of the cigar. This method is good for a quick, clean extinguishing, but use caution to avoid damaging the wrapper.
4. The Humidification Method: Preserve Your Cigar for Future Enjoyment
For a longer storage time between smokes, consider using a humidor or a cigar case with a humidification pack. After extinguishing the cigar using one of the methods described above, carefully place it in your humidor. The humidity will help to prevent the cigar from drying out and keep it in optimal condition for your next session. Remember to check your humidity levels to ensure proper storage.
What NOT to Do
Avoid these practices when extinguishing your cigar:
- Simply Snuffing it Out: This can leave a burning ember and cause unpleasant tastes upon relighting.
- Using Water: Soaking your cigar in water will ruin the tobacco and damage the leaf.
- Leaving it Burning: This will simply waste tobacco and impact the flavor.
Storing Your Extinguished Cigar
Once extinguished, store your cigar properly:
- Use a Cigar Case or Humidor: This will help maintain proper humidity and prevent the cigar from drying out.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight or Extreme Temperatures: These factors can severely damage your cigar.
- Store Horizontally: This prevents the cigar from drying out unevenly.
By following these simple steps, you can enjoy your cigar in stages without compromising its flavor or quality. Remember, the key is to gently extinguish the ember completely, preventing any lingering heat that could negatively impact your subsequent smoking experience. Happy smoking!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long can I store a cigar after putting it out?
This depends largely on how well you extinguished it and how you store it. In a properly humidified humidor, you can potentially store an extinguished cigar for a day or two without significant flavor degradation. However, it’s best to re-light it as soon as possible for the best taste.
Can I put out a cigar and relight it multiple times?
While theoretically possible, it's generally not recommended. Each time you re-light it, the flavor will slightly degrade. It's better to enjoy the cigar in one sitting or store it properly to enjoy it later in one sitting, instead of repeatedly re-lighting it.
What happens if I put out a cigar incorrectly?
If you don't extinguish the ember properly, it will continue to smolder, affecting the tobacco's flavor and potentially damaging the cigar. You may experience a harsh, unpleasant taste upon relighting.
Does the method of putting out a cigar affect the flavor?
Yes, improper extinguishing can significantly impact the taste of your cigar, leading to a harsh, burnt, or bitter taste when re-lit. The gentle methods described above minimize this risk.
How do I know if my cigar is completely extinguished?
Gently touch the end of the cigar after extinguishing it. If it's cool to the touch and there is no lingering heat or visible ember, it's properly extinguished.
