How to Put Out a Cigar for Later: Maintaining Flavor and Enjoyment
Enjoying a premium cigar is a ritual, and knowing how to properly extinguish it for later is crucial to preserving its taste and aroma for your next smoking session. Improperly extinguishing a cigar can lead to a harsh, unpleasant taste upon relighting. This guide will walk you through the best methods, ensuring your cigar remains enjoyable until you're ready to savor it once more.
Why is Proper Extinguishing Important?
Before diving into the how-to, let's understand the why. Simply crushing or stamping out your cigar can leave it with a burnt, bitter taste. The uneven burning and exposure to air can also dry out the tobacco, affecting the overall flavor profile. Properly extinguishing ensures a smoother, more enjoyable experience when you relight.
The Ideal Method: The "Guillotine" Technique
This method minimizes the impact on your cigar's flavor and draw.
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Gently extinguish the ember: Use a cigar cutter or a dedicated cigar punch to carefully cut off the burning tip. This should remove the glowing embers without significantly disturbing the rest of the cigar. Aim for a clean, even cut just above the ash.
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Inspect the cut: Make sure the ember is completely extinguished. A small, lingering ember can reignite later, potentially ruining the taste.
Alternative Methods (Less Ideal but Acceptable):
While the guillotine method is preferred, these methods can work in a pinch:
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Using a Cigar Rest: If you have a cigar rest with a built-in extinguishing mechanism, utilize that.
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The Gentle Press: Place the lit end gently against an ashtray, applying light pressure to extinguish the flame. Avoid crushing the cigar.
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Submerging (Not Recommended): While some suggest submerging the cigar in water, this method is generally discouraged. It can affect the cigar’s structural integrity and overall flavor.
What to Avoid When Extinguishing a Cigar:
- Crushing: Avoid forcefully crushing the cigar in the ashtray. This will damage the tobacco and negatively impact the taste.
- Stamping: Similar to crushing, stamping out the cigar will destroy its structure and flavor.
- Water: While some might suggest it, submerging the cigar in water is detrimental to its quality.
Storing Your Cigar After Extinguishing:
Once your cigar is extinguished, proper storage is vital.
- Humidor: The best option is to return the cigar to your humidor, ensuring its humidity remains stable.
- Cigar Case: If a humidor isn't available, store it in an airtight cigar case.
- Ziploc Bag (Temporary): As a last resort, you can use a Ziploc bag, but this is not a long-term solution.
How Long Can You Keep a Cigar Extinguished for?
The length of time you can keep a cigar extinguished depends on the cigar's quality, how it was extinguished, and how it's stored. Ideally, you should aim to relight it within a few hours. The longer it remains extinguished, the greater the risk of it drying out and losing its flavor.
Can I relight a cigar that has been put out for 24 hours?
It's possible, but it's less likely to be enjoyable. The longer it sits, the more likely the tobacco will have dried out, resulting in a harsh and unpleasant smoke.
How Do You Know if a Cigar is Too Dry to Relight?
A dry cigar will often have a brittle texture and feel lighter than it should. It may also crack or crumble easily. If it appears dry and brittle, it is best to discard it.
By following these steps, you can enjoy the luxury of a cigar over multiple sessions without compromising its delicate flavor profile. Remember, patience and care are key to savoring every puff.
