Cigar etiquette

[colpol]

Came across this earlier & thought the cigar smokers would find interesting

In 1967 Zino Davidoff outlined a protocol for smokers in his noted essay for connoisseurs. It is a charter and code for cigar smokers everywhere, and it remains as valid today as when he first wrote it. Among his directives were the following dos and don'ts

Don't

Use a penknife to cut or a lance to pierce the end of the cigar. Touch the flame directly to the foot of the cigar: Instead simply rotate it around the edge till it starts to burn, then puff lightly. Ask someone else for a light ('The lighting of a cigar should be a personal affair'). Light your cigar too quickly or too slowly. Indulge in exhibitionism in lighting or any other aspect of smoking. Relight your cigar if less than one quarter of it is leaf. Put the cigar in your mouth to relight it. Just scrape off the ash and turn it in the flame for several seconds till it relights. Clench it between your teeth. Get the end of the cigar wet, chew It, slobber on it. Smoke too quickly. Use a cigar holder. Stick a toothpick or matchstick in the end of the cigar to help hold it in your mouth. Dunk your cigar in port or brandy, a habit attributed to Winston Churchill. Smoke while working. Hold a cigar between your index and middle finger. Smoke when you're walking. Smoke more than half the cigar. Put the cigar out by crushing it in an ashtray. Chain-smoke cigars.

Do's

Warm the foot of the cigar slightly before starting to puff on it. Remove the band carefully after lighting the cigar. Take your time smoking it; a puff a minute is about right. Hold the cigar between your index finger and thumb. Let the cigar die a dignified death; after it's smoked halfway, it will go out on its own. Dispose of the dead cigar discreetly and quickly. Wait at least fifteen minutes between cigars; anything less indicates obsessive behaviour. The important thing to remember is that we cigar aficionados should present ourselves as considerate and understanding individuals. Changing people's preconceived notions and giving the growing numbers of aficionados a good name is well worth that little extra effort.

[brkanand]

Oh..glad I do not smoke!

[Lamone]

Great information.
I will no longer hold my cigars between my index and middle finger.

[eman1200]

I offered a cigar to a friend on the golf course and he asked if he was supposed to take the band off. I wasn't sure what was 'proper'. I generally do, but I told him its your cigar, do what u like.

Ok, now I'm in the mood for a cigar. :)

[Dan Pierce]

Just smoked a cigar and followed most of the rules.
dP

[Rags]

A cigar should always be held in the right hand & a glass of scotch in the left hand.

[bayerische]

Smokin' is bad... mmm'kay?

[2th Dr]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Smokin' is bad... mmm'kay?

[threemonkeys]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Smokin' is bad... mmm'kay?

mmm'kay

[9erEmpire]

Here's a tip that most should do and don't do in regards to smoking a cigar:

You should never flick the ash from your cigar. You want it to get as long as possible before ashing it. This is to see how good your cigar is rolled. The longer the ash stays the better it was rolled.

Also, you do not want it so long where it the ash will fall off. That is bad etiquette and it's sort of bragging.

You should only ash a cigar twice at most. The first time would be at least a third of the way done. The second third will come and that's when you just let the cigar go out.

A cigar shouldn't be smoked till the end because the flavor will change when you reach that far.

These are the only things I follow.

If you want to tear the band...it is ok. It's not cool to brag what you are smoking.

I don't smoke much but when I do it's the good stuff and that's why I follow this routine. If it was a phillys blunt then idont care.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by 9erEmpire

Here's a tip that most should do and don't do in regards to smoking a cigar:

You should never flick the ash from your cigar. You want it to get as long as possible before ashing it. This is to see how good your cigar is rolled. The longer the ash stays the better it was rolled.

Also, you do not want it so long where it the ash will fall off. That is bad etiquette and it's sort of bragging.

You should only ash a cigar twice at most. The first time would be at least a third of the way done. The second third will come and that's when you just let the cigar go out.

A cigar shouldn't be smoked till the end because the flavor will change when you reach that far.

These are the only things I follow.

If you want to tear the band...it is ok. It's not cool to brag what you are smoking.

I don't smoke much but when I do it's the good stuff and that's why I follow this routine. If it was a phillys blunt then idont care.

Right.
dP

[meloncap78]

Originally Posted by bayerische

smokin' is bad... Mmm'kay?

lmao

[Lisa]

Do whatever you like, as long as you do it far, far away.

[Vetteman]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Do whatever you like, as long as you do it far, far away.

You got that right....

[figbo]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Do whatever you like, as long as you do it far, far away.

LMAO,Lisa!!

[scarhead]

I believe (and could be wrong) the reason for suggesting only smoking half of the cigar is because back when this book was written shorter cigars such as the robusto weren't as prominent as they are today. Certainly a cigar such as the Nub was never, or rarely seen.

[jhilly8982]

Don't smoke more than half the cigar? I and many other cigar aficianado's would agree this is absurd. That is like saying don't drink the whole glass of scotch, only drink half and throw it out.

Also, I will walk and smoke if I like and hold it with whatever fingers I want. Smoking is a personal thing, there are a few rules to be followed, most of them common sense but this essay is pretty pompous and doesn't remain valid today IMO.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by jhilly8982

Don't smoke more than half the cigar? I and many other cigar aficianado's would agree this is absurd.

I've given up the tobacco, but I have to say that when I smoked the premium cigars, 5x38 Aurora Cameroons (I liked them!), I'd smoke them until they'd burn my fingers and they were good to the very end.

A lot of the rules of etiquette in the OP are not so much rules of etiquette, but are the best ways to get the most of your smokes.

As for the band, it's useless, except to identify the cigar. Once you're ready to light it, if you don't know what cigar it is or if you keep forgetting while you're smoking it, then you've got some problems that need to be addressed with a professional.

[Tri-Tip]

Originally Posted by colpol

Came across this earlier & thought the cigar smokers would find interesting

In 1967 Zino Davidoff outlined a protocol for smokers in his noted essay for connoisseurs. It is a charter and code for cigar smokers everywhere, and it remains as valid today as when he first wrote it. Among his directives were the following dos and don'ts

Don't

Use a penknife to cut or a lance to pierce the end of the cigar. Touch the flame directly to the foot of the cigar: Instead simply rotate it around the edge till it starts to burn, then puff lightly. Ask someone else for a light ('The lighting of a cigar should be a personal affair'). Light your cigar too quickly or too slowly. Indulge in exhibitionism in lighting or any other aspect of smoking. Relight your cigar if less than one quarter of it is leaf. Put the cigar in your mouth to relight it. Just scrape off the ash and turn it in the flame for several seconds till it relights. Clench it between your teeth. Get the end of the cigar wet, chew It, slobber on it. Smoke too quickly. Use a cigar holder. Stick a toothpick or matchstick in the end of the cigar to help hold it in your mouth. Dunk your cigar in port or brandy, a habit attributed to Winston Churchill. Smoke while working. Hold a cigar between your index and middle finger. Smoke when you're walking. Smoke more than half the cigar. Put the cigar out by crushing it in an ashtray. Chain-smoke cigars.

Do's

Warm the foot of the cigar slightly before starting to puff on it. Remove the band carefully after lighting the cigar. Take your time smoking it; a puff a minute is about right. Hold the cigar between your index finger and thumb. Let the cigar die a dignified death; after it's smoked halfway, it will go out on its own. Dispose of the dead cigar discreetly and quickly. Wait at least fifteen minutes between cigars; anything less indicates obsessive behaviour. The important thing to remember is that we cigar aficionados should present ourselves as considerate and understanding individuals. Changing people's preconceived notions and giving the growing numbers of aficionados a good name is well worth that little extra effort.

15 minutes in between sounds like chain smoking to me.

I do enjoy a cigar a few times a year, and I'll try to use proper etiquette next time.

[Route 66]

"Take your time smoking it; a puff a minute is about right."

This seems like an awfully long time between puffs.

[Passionata]

Thanks for sharing

[GerardoG]

And the most important rule: ENJOY!!

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

And the most important rule: ENJOY!!

Correct, mi amigo!
dP

[paddy_crow]

You left out the biggest don't: Don't smoke one around me.

[gwalker]

Well it was written in 67 so I'll give the writer a break on what I would like to say. LOL

[Submarino]

I've never seen El Che or Fidel smoking a cigar the way Mr. Davidoff suggests in any of the footage I've seen. Since the best cigars come from Cuba and my Dad was Cuban, I'll just stick to what he thought me. In my Dad's family farm they used to roll their own cigars back in the days. Long live Habanos!!!!

[subtona]

my favorite Don't:

"Don't Smoke when you're walking."

although sometimes this happens, i think it goes against the point of having a cigar in the first place, which imo is to sit back, relax and enjoy the moment.


*with friends
*feet up
*coffee or beverage in hand
and
*even during or after a great steak.


as far as smoking more than half... depends on the flavor when you get to the other half.

[rajurama]

Cigarettes have nicotine and tar which is the major cause of addiction and lung cancer, could anybody enlighten me the properties of Cigars and whether it is equally harmful?

[Demosthene]

Originally Posted by rajurama

Cigarettes have nicotine and tar which is the major cause of addiction and lung cancer, could anybody enlighten me the properties of Cigars and whether it is equally harmful?

Exactly the same.
The one difference is that cigars are not inhaled (decreasing the chance of lung disease) and are often smoked less frequently.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by rajurama

Cigarettes have nicotine and tar which is the major cause of addiction and lung cancer, could anybody enlighten me the properties of Cigars and whether it is equally harmful?

Originally Posted by Demosthene

Exactly the same.
The one difference is that cigars are not inhaled (decreasing the chance of lung disease) and are often smoked less frequently.

if you would like to enjoy a cigar now and then, please enjoy it outdoors
ie in a well ventilated area.
vs
often the setting is a room with poor or no ventilation, i would strongly suggest you avoid this type of environment. the hazard and risk increases greatly here with the the most obvious common denominator being the concentration of 2nd hand smoke.