Does ash length contribute to flavor?

[lightning9191]

I tried searching for this with no luck. Am I doing a disservice to my cigar's flavor by knocking off the ash every inch or so? Does the ash length have any effect on flavor? Thanx for the help!

[KnuckleDragger]

Originally Posted by lightning9191

I tried searching for this with no luck. Am I doing a disservice to my cigar's flavor by knocking off the ash every inch or so? Does the ash length have any effect on flavor? Thanx for the help!

From my experience (which I admit is limited ) ash length does not directly affect flavor. However, indirectly I find if I ash too often (or it's really windy) it affects burn, which changes the way that I would smoke the cigar, which changes the flavor profile. Probably different for everybody though ~KD

[mjr955201]

I find leaving the ash on allows the cigar to burn cooler than if the ash knocked off.

[groogs]

Originally Posted by mjr955201

I find leaving the ash on allows the cigar to burn cooler than if the ash knocked off.

[mdtaggart]

I like a big ash!

[groogs]

Originally Posted by mdtaggart

I like a big ash!

But not too big......

[viesturs]

Not sure about flavour but in the old days of cigar smoking in England if you could accomplish smoking your cigar without knocking off the ash until the nub inch or so, it is said you accomplished a "silk hat". This is real tough to do and you almost have to smoke the last bit standing on your head. A few of us tried it at a herf at friends place a few yrs ago to no success and was messy as hell trying. Funny thing tho, never once had the cigar go out . Hmm, maybe the ash has some effect on internal heat or something. Naturally , the shorter and fatter the cigar the more chance of success.

[brigey]

Originally Posted by mjr955201

I find leaving the ash on allows the cigar to burn cooler than if the ash knocked off.

I have found that when the cigar burns cooler such as with having a longer ash there is less of a taste of carbon or charcoal leaving the cigar with a more flavorful taste. Plus I find I'll smoke the cigar to the nub with the longer ash versus not with a shorter or non existing ash.

[Simplified]

I agree that is slows the burn and I find a slower burn can change the flavor. I have a good friend who seams to never ash when he is in my car or house I am not sure if he does it to slow the burn or dump large turd like ashes on my floor.

I ash very frequently as it is more of a habit...

[Blowin' Smoke]

I never noticed a difference in the taste, I always thought that a cigar that would hold its ash just shows that it has good cinstruction.

[andrewsutherland2002]

Originally Posted by mjr955201

I find leaving the ash on allows the cigar to burn cooler than if the ash knocked off.

Me Three!

[dwhitacre]

Originally Posted by brigey

I have found that when the cigar burns cooler such as with having a longer ash there is less of a taste of carbon or charcoal leaving the cigar with a more flavorful taste. Plus I find I'll smoke the cigar to the nub with the longer ash versus not with a shorter or non existing ash.

[SIZE="4"]I have found this to be true! Some cigars hold ash a lot better than others.[/SIZE]

Camacho Negro for example:

[Mullet]

a long ash is definitely a way to be proud of yourself for smoking a cigar that has good construction. It probably has little to do with flavor. But, many of us like the long ash because it reinforces a particular brand's quality.

[smokeyscotch]

I almost always detect a small difference after the ash falls off. It is like it takes the cigar a minute to mellow back out. Not always, but most of the time.

[stearns]

its all about the temperature of the burn. its good to have a longer ash when you try to nub, because it wont get hot on your lips. i know its sort of cheating because of the length, but i've nubbed an AF short story without once ashing. its my best accomplishment, take it or leave it

stearns