What Cigar are You Smoking? 2024

[BenMN]

I like to leave the bands on. I think at their best they can add to the smoking experience asthetically. The bands on Dapper Cigar's la Madrina and Broadleaf Borracho come immediately to mind. Beautiful.
Sometimes, the heat from smoking helps to loosen the glue for easier removal.

Black Label "NBK" Corona Larga, with a band that I don't particularly care for

 

[TheIronMonkey]

@PipeWI @jpmcwjr

In the early ’90s, I remember Cigar Aficionado recommending leaving the band on the cigar until the glue was warmed sufficiently enough so as to avoid tearing the wrapper. I have continued this practice since then; I only remove the band when I get to the last third or quarter. The band, depending on how it is printed, also provides some texture and grip that helps. Some bands these days cover 75% of the cigar (Camacho comes to mind) and must be slipped off prior to lighting.

 

[AreBee]

When did leaving the ring/badge/advertisement on the cigar become a thing?

Some 50 years ago when I smoked cigars, everyone removed the (whatever it's called) prior to lighting up. That seems to be not the case anymore. Anyone know when and why this change occurred?

Manufacturers seem to be using some sort of industrial space glue that is super strong and often bleeds on to the wrapper. Peel off the band and get a nice hole in your cigar. The age old theory is that as the heat of the cigar gets close to the band, the glue will loosen and you can easily pull off the band without damaging your smoke. Still not always the case.

 

[AreBee]

I do because the heat of the cigar helps melt the glue on the band and makes it less likely that any stray glue spot tears the wrapper. I think I learned that from when cigar AFICIONADO used to be CIGAR Aficionado.

Agreed. This method does work for me as well in most cases. Manufacturers now seem to be using some sort of industrial space glue that they use pretty liberally, and bands now are freaking huge too. I swear I spent 15 minutes trying to remove FOUR bands on an Esteban Carreras Devil’s Hand a few weeks ago! All that said, as a former printer, I’m a sucker for a well printed/embossed band.

 

[Speak Easy]

Starting the day with a Romeo Y Julieta Envy Toro.

 

[craig61a]

~ 2014 La Flor Dominica Double Ligero. Chocolatey… Mmm.

 

[Speak Easy]

RP Vintage 20th Anniversary

 

[cshubhra]

Earlier I smoked a Knockaround

 

[cshubhra]

Caldwell Cigars Eastern Standard Midnight Express

 

[JoeW]

After a discouraging day at work, a Punch Clasico, some Four Roses Small Batch, and some Star Trek Clasico.

I had one of these cigars in October, and detested it: no flavor, no aroma. I may have been getting a cold, though, because today’s is very nice. I may have to get some more.

 

[BenMN]

After a discouraging day at work, a Punch Clasico, some Four Roses Small Batch, and some Star Trek Clasico.

I had one of these cigars in October, and detested it: no flavor, no aroma. I may have been getting a cold, though, because today’s is very nice. I may have to get some more.

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Welcome!
Hope the evening was better than the day

 

[BenMN]

Black Label 2022 "Morphine" Corona Gorda

5.5 X 48
San Andrés over Nicaraguan guts
Kicking off some vacation time, I expect to be in this thread a little extra over the next week

 

[rokerdepipe]

Too beautiful a night not to slip something out of the humidor and light up…at least there’s no wind to blow the short cut leaf filler in this cigar all over the place. The binder and wrapper are excellent, but the short fill does have the propensity to blow around (and on) me.

What a delightful evening of quiet and solace…..

 

[Bbailey324]

Alec Bradley Black Market Robusto. Decent cigar with some pepper and cedar notes.

 

[JoeW]

Welcome!
Hope the evening was better than the day

Thank you very much, and I hope that you have a pleasant and relaxing vacation!

 

[TheIronMonkey]

Having a Diesel Hair of the Dog Classic Salomon, 7.1" x 58 on the porch with our hairy little dog.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

Having a Diesel Unlimited Maduro d.X Belicoso, 7.0" x 56 on the porch.

 

[BronzeAgePiper]

Warped Maestro Del Tiempo…. Soooo tasty, this is a favorite for sure. Candied cashew delight

 

[Speak Easy]

A Diesel cigar that I can’t remember what it is and some rum. Nice cool breeze this evening.

 

[cshubhra]

Earlier I smoked San Lotano Requiem Habano