Noob Smoking Questions??

[danmcmartin]

Finally, I was able to smoke one of my Rocky Patel Sun Grown toros. It was definitely stronger that the mild sticks I have been smoking (CAO Gold, Oliva Connecticut, 5 Vegas Gold, Casa Torano). I have a slight buzz right now.

Anyway, I obsess about the burn. I expect it to be perfect, I guess. How uneven should it be before I should care? The RPSG kept burning up one side further than the rest. There was no apparent reason, other than the breeze. Could the breeze cause that? I kept evening it up with the lighter. Should I?

Then it took me about an hour to get maybe between 1/2 and 2/3 through. I don't really time my puffs, but maybe I'm waiting too long. It doesn't seem like it. I puff, relax, take a drink of water, take a puff, etc.

Any help would be appreciated. I'm not overly concerned other than I typically waste half a cigar because it takes me so long. I don't have any friends that smoke (and I'd feel like a dolt asking them anyway), so just need a little input. Thanks!!

[Randy_LL]

the breez can do that ,, i just tuck it away a lil and it dose the trick ,,but the burn dont bother me i enjoy the flavor ,,so dont mind the burn if the smoke is good

[Jaxon67]

I will usually only touch up my cigar if it' apparent that the burn will not correct itself. As far as how long it's taking you to smoke, I would say, it is what it is. No one likes to waste a stick, but if you are in the mood for a certain cigar, but only have 30 minutes to spare, smoke it if you got it. I guess what im saying is this......if you let time dictate what you smoke, you may have to pass on some quality cigars. It's better to have smoked a half of a good cigar, than a whole piece of crap. But hey, that's just how I roll.
Take it slow.
Take it easy.
Have a great labor day!

[danmcmartin]

Originally Posted by Jaxon67

I will usually only touch up my cigar if it' apparent that the burn will not correct itself. As far as how long it's taking you to smoke, I would say, it is what it is. No one likes to waste a stick, but if you are in the mood for a certain cigar, but only have 30 minutes to spare, smoke it if you got it. I guess what im saying is this......if you let time dictate what you smoke, you may have to pass on some quality cigars. It's better to have smoked a half of a good cigar, than a whole piece of crap. But hey, that's just how I roll.
Take it slow.
Take it easy.
Have a great labor day!

Ya, I tend to over think things. Good advise.

[Jaxon67]

Oh, and ummmm BTW, your wife got a sister?

[danmcmartin]

Originally Posted by Jaxon67

Oh, and ummmm BTW, your wife got a sister?

Sorry, no. If she did, I'd definitely hook you up.

[Wolf4Fun]

Relax and enjoy it.
Touch it up if you wish, don't worry about it too much.
A perfect burn is nice, but not my goal anyway. lol

[wsmith]

I've had many of the same questions, and finally got to the point where I decided I'll smoke what I want till I'm satisfied. If that means tossing half a good stick after an hour so be it.

One thing I had a major problem with when I first started, and it just happened again yesterday, is the cigar seems to slow down on me. Like the first inch turned to ash in 5-10 minutes or so, but then the burn line didn't seem to move at all. Then it seemed to go out. When I ashed it for a relight, there's was more wrapper than binder/filler. The cigar tunneled on me and was out, though I was still getting smoke. When I relit it, the speed of burn went back to how it started.

Only thing I can figure is that I'm smoking an "unlit" cigar for a period of time. I can usually catch this now, because the smoke "exhaled" is much thinner than when first lit. This all seems to happen more to me when I'm chasing the uneven burn. So I mostly try to ignore the uneveness until the burn really bugs me.

~Will

[danmcmartin]

I was smoking outside in the dark last night and I could see the burn. One side would be orange the other totally dark. Maybe that always happens and it catches up, but who knows. It does seem I have more problems in the breeze like the wind is helping one side burn and causing the other to go out.

Or maybe I'm just crazy and need to relax a little.

[smoke_screen]

Could be too much humidity in your cigars, try dry boxing them before smoking.

[Shriner4cigars]

I try not to get to worried about the burn. I usually let it go, see if it evens out. Sometimes it depends on my mood. If I am smoking with friends on the patio, I tend to not pay as much attention to the cigar but still enjoy it. Other times it is just me and it becomes the whole cigar experience. I guess that is what smoking cigars is all about...I smoke and enjoy them the way I want.

[danmcmartin]

Originally Posted by smoke_screen

Could be too much humidity in your cigars, try dry boxing them before smoking.

My humi is at 65% and the RH is usually way below that here in Nevada. Still I know it takes time for a cigar to loose its moisture. Maybe I will just have to get in the habit of picking one out earlier and letting it dry out a little.

[woodted]

Try holding the cigar vertically between draws, with the cherry pointed down. It helps on some sticks!

[ca21455]

Humidity is not your problem considering storage at 65% and dry weather in Nevada. Wind can cause some problems.

In reality, different cigars will burn differently. If a good even burn is your thing then find some smokes that perform how you like them. Check out the reviews and pick some with a good burn.