In this article, we will cover the basics of ash cigars. This includes an introduction to why they are handy for your smokes and also a discussion on how to ash a cigar. Ash cigars can be used with any type of cigar but are most commonly associated with big ashes which have a lot of benefits when it comes to smoking.
Why you will not ash your cigar?
Handmade premium cigars are constructed of long-filler, or whole leaf, tobacco that runs the length of the cigar. The ash of your cigar is far more solid than a cigarette’s papery flaky ash. There’s no need to fling and fidget with your cigar repeatedly to release the ash. You risk cracking the covering leaf or over-fiddling with it if you play around with it too much.
Wait for approximately an inch of ash to form, put your cigar in the ashtray, and gently tap it. Alternatively, you may carefully roll the ash tip into the ashes tray. Don’t beat your cigar against the ashtray’s side, either. Being too violent when ashing might cause the wrapper leaf to come undone.
Don’t ash your cigar too often, either. Your cigar will burn too hot and fast if you don’t give it time to age. The opposite is true if you allow the ash to remain on for an extended time — your cigar will burn cool and may go out. You’ll also risk throwing a huge mound of ashes onto your shirt, pants, or carpet.
What does the ash tell you about your cigar?
Aesthetic Aspect
The longer and more tight the ash, the better the quality of your cigar. Others analyze the ash’s color. While ash color has never been a sign of quality, it became popular in the cigar boom of the 1990s. White ash is an indication that tobacco plants were grown in mineral-rich soil.
Many cigar firms have expanded their farms to meet the demand for high-quality tobaccos. Nicaraguan cigars, for example, are known for the mineral-rich earth on which they’re grown. I suppose it’s better than the plants are in good condition before priming them, isn’t it?
The craftsmanship
As with every cigar, the quality and workmanship are evident. The ash is also consistent.
If your cigar’s roller used leaves that were long and high-quality, your cigar’s ash will frequently form a neat little column of tightly packed rows. It shouldn’t break into a million tiny pieces even if it falls off while you’re smoking.
If your cigar was not firmly rolled or if the cigar roller used leaves that were torn or too short, it might break under pressure. That ash should not be able to hang together for more than an inch no matter how hard you try.
The origin and quality of tobacco
The color of your ash can tell you a lot about the origin and quality of the tobacco in the area where your cigar was grown.
Soil, regardless of where it is from, contains chemical compounds and minerals. Moisture carries these into the tobacco plant. Every region has its chemical and mineral fingerprint, which is seen in the ash color of your cigar.
White ash
White ash, while unimpressive in terms of flavor, indicates that the tobacco leaves were grown on rich, mineral-rich soil like that found in Brazil, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic.
On the other hand, cigars that create dark-gray ash with white veins exhibit soil with an even mix of minerals. These are as good as white-ash cigars in terms of nutrition.
Black ash
Now, black ash isn’t a positive indication when compared to white or grey ash. Cigars that create black ash are cultivated in soil that lacks minerals. Not only will the aesthetic of the ash be affected, but smoking nutrient-deprived tobacco plants will result in a less pleasant taste and fragrance as compared to cigars that produce white or grey ash.
Choose your cigar brand and size
There are many different types of cigars, so it is important to choose the right one for you. The same goes for the size – if you are a beginner, start with smaller ones and work your way up.
So here are steps to how to ash a cigar like a pro:
- Choose a cigar cutter. Cutters can be simple or fancy, but make sure that it does their job well. You don’t want to end up with an uneven cut that will mess up your smoking experience.
- Light up! Hold the flame above the foot of the cigar and rotate it as you light it evenly until the entire surface is lit. Don’t puff on it yet!
- Take a few puffs before ashting. Now that your cigar is lit, take a few puffs to get it going. This will help the cigar burn evenly and give you a better smoking experience.
- Ash your cigar like a pro! Once the cigar is burning nicely, use your fingers or an ashtray to gently tap the ash off the end of the cigar. Don’t worry if it falls off in multiple pieces – that’s normal. Just make sure that you don’t drop any ashes on yourself or anyone else!
- Enjoy your smoke! Now that your cigar is all ashted up, it’s time to enjoy it. Take some slow and relaxing puffs and let the flavor of the tobacco fill your mouth. Make sure to relax and take your time – after all, that’s what smoking cigars are all about!
So there you have it – everything you need to know about ashting your cigar like a pro. Follow these simple steps and you’ll be enjoying smooth, flavorful smokes in no time!
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