White Ash

[Catholicsmoker]

In cigar reviews the reviewer almost always speaks about the color of the ash on the cigar. I was sitting on the back porch enjoying a bowl and realized that my ash was white. In pipe reviews the color of the ask is never spoken of. Is the color of the ash in pipe smoking not indicative of the same thing? Why don't we ever speak of the color when we are reviewing various tobaccos? Are there other factors which change the color of the ash? Thanks for the help.

-CS

[Reverie Forest]

On the contrary, I see the ash quality mentioned fairly often in reviews...
And any time so, it seems related to the overall quality of the tobacco, i.e. presence of stems or a casing. These would affect the burn and completion of a thorough ashing. As far as actual color, from a salt and pepper to a pure white, I do not know if that is just related to the type of leaf or the actual quality.

[plexiprs]

Ash color is totally controllable the addition of adulterating chemicals. There is a 19th century manufacturer's text going around the Net that speaks of this. 75% of the chemicals named were not familiar to me, which is probably indicative of their healthfulness ......

Taste is important; I don't decorate with, or eat the ash remaining .......

[Mr.Lordi]

Originally Posted by plexiprs

Ash color is totally controllable the addition of adulterating chemicals. There is a 19th century manufacturer's text going around the Net that speaks of this. 75% of the chemicals named were not familiar to me, which is probably indicative of their healthfulness ......

Taste is important; I don't decorate with, or eat the ash remaining .......

Yeah, Ash doesn't really mean much at all. When I first got into stogies, I had a swisher sweet that had a nice oily wrapper to it, burned well and had a nice white ash to it and you know what? It tasted like excrement.

Had all the quality's of a "good" cigar, but was not at all. It was a poser. lol!

[SmokinJohnny]

I see reference to white or grey dottle mentioned often in reviews. I'm sure it has a lot to do with the tobacco but I've always been under the impression a white powder dottle means you're packin and smokin it right. As well as loading at the right dryness level. Flavor is everything for me too.