Burning qualities

[lonsdale]

Well, there is the wrapper, with its oily sheen (or without), there is the way it feels in the hand, a certain solidity reflecting a well made cigar, there is the flavaroma, the taste sensation issuing from taste and aroma, and all of these are important it seems to me. Yet after smoking cigars for almost 40 years, I have come to regard burning qualities as the most important. An even burn, with a small carbon ring, with a good simmer (the ability of the cigar to stay lit) . . . these have become for me the most important qualities of a good cigar. Even a cigar with flavor is ruined with an uneven burn. Any opinions on this? This is my first post, so please forgive my verbosity.

[NCRadioMan]

Flavor is #1 to me but an even burn is very important to me. That's why I store my smokes at 61-65%.

Welcome to CS. Be sure to stop by the New Gorilla Forum and introduce yourself.

[PerpetualNoob]

Sometimes it's worth it, if the cigar is good enough, but having to fight a cigar with an uneven burn or a tight draw definitely detracts from the experience, whereas a cigar sitting in the ashtray with a nice straight burn, long, firm white ash, and a curl of smoke wafting off it is just aesthetically pleasing and adds to the experience. A crappy cigar with a perfect burn is no bargain, but if there are two cigars that are similar in taste and one of them consistently burns nicely and the other one consistently doesn't, I'm going to buy the one that does.

[Buddha024]

I definitely agree that an uneven burn can be a nuisance. It's not very relaxing when you have to work to keep the thing burning straight.