Cutting smoke time short, keeping the cigar

[yurizilla]

So sometimes when its late, or bad weather, I like to bring some tinfoil with me, so that when I have to end my cigar prematurely (Anything but the nub), I can wrap up my cigar, extinguish the amber, and bring my cigar home, to be lit another day. I usually also cut off slightly below the burn ring for a new start the next time.

What do people here typically use to preserve a cigar if you want smoke it again?

P.S. I've also used tubes that cigars come in, for that cigar only of course.

[baboruger]

i don't save the smoke. I would think, and maybe I am wrong, but it would re-light and be really harsh. I usually won't start a smoke unless I am pretty sure that I can complete the cigar.

[matt3-cl]

A relighting a cigar will change the taste of a cigar and probably not for the better IMO. I don't smoke if I know I don't have time to finish. If for some reason I underestimated the smoking time, I would pitch the cigar and cut my losses. Cigar smoking should be enjoyable and I don't think I would enjoy a relit cigar unless I was smoking it and put it down for a few minutes and it went out. Then I would relight it.

[MaduroLvr-cl]

I've never lit one up again with good results.. they always taste bitter to me after.

[SMOKE20]

Originally Posted by matt3

A relighting a cigar will change the taste of a cigar and probably not for the better IMO. I don't smoke if I know I don't have time to finish. If for some reason I underestimated the smoking time, I would pitch the cigar and cut my losses. Cigar smoking should be enjoyable and I don't think I would enjoy a relit cigar unless I was smoking it and put it down for a few minutes and it went out. Then I would relight it.

Agreed

[AshKicker]

I tried to save one once....I'll never do it again. I had cut just below the burn line then put it in my humi. When I came back to it the next day, I had to throw it out as well as air out my humi because of the horrible ash smell! Luckily the rest of the gars weren't damaged!

[foolwithnohair]

After some experimentation, this is what I do:

- if I know I won't have enough time, I'll cut the cigar in half before lighting. One needs to have some cigar glue handy (a.k.a. fruit pectin; honey works for a quick fix too).

- if I'm in the gotta-save-it situation, I use zip-lock "snack" (a.k.a. ounce) bags and those little cedar sheets that often wrap cigars. The sheets I keep in the humidor.

- time to end the smoke - the KEY point is to purge (blow out through the cigar) until you get the coal glowing and burning the wrapper. And repeat. and repeat.

- then let the coal go out on its own, or, if you have a sharp (and big enough) gulliotine cutter, chop the cigar - although the lit bit you chop off will make for an awful smell.

- chop off the burnt bits if you haven't already, wrap in the cedar sheet, and put the cigar in the zip-lock.

The (moist) cedar sheet will absorb the awful odours. Do not re-use.

If it is just for overnight, I just purge/cut and leave the cigar in the ashtray.

On re-light, I don't draw through the cigar to get it lit.

The milder the cigar, the more successful the whole thing will be. I'd opine that the cigar will be maybe 85% of what it was if it was something like a Davidoff or Macanudo.

YMMV. It isn't something I do every day, but when it has to be done, it beats throwing the cigar out.

[SmoknTaz]

I used to do this when I first started smoking: I would purge the smoke and let it go out on it's own then cut well above the burn line. The taste was never the same but when you pay the outrageous $$ for tobacco here in Canada you try to get your money's worth. Now I just make sure I have plenty of time to watch my $$ go up in smoke.

[Dan-cl]

you dont want to do this the smoke gets stale and the acids from the tobacco build up and will destroy the cigar in a hour or less depending on the length and size of the cigar. if you know you cant finish it then dont light it up i would suggest getting a robusto sized cigar or maybe some cigarillos for those times

[SoTL1977]

In my experience, if you're going to relight within a few hours, it's best to let the cigar go out by itself. I've never tried to save anything longer then this, but you guys have offered up some great ideas! I like the shorter sizes (Robusto, Panatela, Lancero, etc.) so I don't really run into this scenario very often.

[Dan-cl]

i agree with shiela, well you should always let the cigar go out by itself never just crush it like a cigarette thats a no no.... i really like the shorter cigars also i think they pack a lot more flavor and complexity especially the robusto because of the larger ring gauge

[yurizilla]

I like the Cut in half Idea, since I like to smoke longer cigars fro when I do have the time. I guess that as I learn more I can choose a fatter shorter cigar for my quick smokes, and postpone the longer smokes for when I have the time to pass. I'll also assume his goes for the winter. I'll buy some short smokes for the cold.

[tx_tuff]

Yeah, try finding some smaller cigars for when you don't have a lot of time. But if you go to fat on the ring gauge it will not be a short smoke, so be careful

[smh0768]

short smoke times is the reason i ended up picking up a box of Por Larrañaga Cuban Grade Corona Maduros (inexpensive, ~$40/box, although i got them much cheaper a while back) and Partagas Black Prontos. both are tasty and quick smokes.

[Smoke 'em All]

I'm also not a fan of the relight unless it's a yard 'gar that I'm burning just to have something to burn. I learned pretty quickly that a relight makes for a pretty foul cigar.