How to Ash a Cigar
Cigar smoking, like any other gourmet activity, is one where every aspect of the endeavor matters. This includes when one should ash their cigar. The ash does do a bit of work for the cigar smoker and maintaining the proper amount affects the quality of the smoke.
The first few puffs of a cigar always entail the hottest ember. The flame generated by high-end cigar lighters, such as a Colibri lighter, is very hot and, thus, is held a bit back from the stogie. However, the ember still needs to cool a bit before the taste is at its best.
While a cigar is certainly hot, it should not be so hot that it affects the taste of the tobacco. This is why very powerful lighters, such as the various Lotus torch lighter models, are held a bit away from the cigar during the lighting process. To burn, fire or embers require fuel, oxygen and heat. The ash regulates the amount of oxygen the cherry receives and, thus regulates the overall temperature of the burn. As any smoker is aware, the first puff off of a cigar is usually the hottest. The temperature of the smoke mellows as ash is generated.
Too much ash, of course, will extinguish the cherry. Usually one ashes their cigar long before this happens but, if it happens to be set down in an ashtray, it will sometimes go out because of this effect. Generally, one wants to find the happy medium between a cool burn and having the cigar go out. This takes some experience but, like most things related to cigar smoking, the experimentation means nothing more intense than enjoying a good cigar! Be sure to take note of how much ash lends the right temperature to the ember at the foot of the cigar.
The cigar ash may still have some very hot embers within it, so keep this in mind when smoking in outdoor locations. Especially in areas with dry grass or wood, this can pose a risk of fire. To make sure the ash is cooled, flick it first into the palm of the hand and then toss it to the wind once one is sure it’s cooled off. Aside from determining the flavor of a cigar, the ash presents one of the hazards of smoking and should be watched.
Dave Sabot is the owner of an online specialty lighters store featuring windproof lighters and cigar reviews.