"Cut It Out!"

     Today, let's talk about cutting your cigar.  One of the questions I'm asked frequently is "does the cut make a difference?"  Well, in my humble opinion, yes the cut makes a difference.  They're several different cuts if you're not familiar.  In general you have the guillotine cut, the V-Cut, the punch and the piercing.  Let's take a brief look at each cut and talk about 'em a bit.

     First, the guillotine or straight cut.  That can be done with either a single or double blade cutter (the double blade is the better of the two) or if you're real "old school" with a very sharp pocket knife or razor blade.  With this cut, you're cutting of the cap of the cigar just above the shoulder (didn't know I was a surgeon, did you).  The cap of course in the head of the cigar and what holds the wrapper together.  So you need to be very careful when cutting your cigar so you don't cut it past the shoulder, as if you do, it'll typically cause your cigar to unravel.  Back to the actual guillotine cut, which allows more smoke to flow through your cigar, causing a faster burning cigar, with less of a possibility of tars building up as you smoke it.  If you're not careful, it will also cause your cigar to burn hot and we all know a hot burning cigar is not a good cigar.  I personally mainly use the guillotine cut on very small ring gauge cigars, Petite Corona's, Lancero's, and the occasional Toro.  Because they're smaller rings, and you'll want to get the full flavor that's why I recommend using a guillotine on those cigars.

     Next let's look at the V-cut.  This is the cut I use most.  A V-cut or "Cat eye" cut, literally cuts a , or what looks like a cat's pupil, in the cap of the cigar and not as much smoke comes from the cigar as with a straight cut.  Larger ring gauge cigars Corona Gorda's, Churchill's, Sixties etc., are cigars that work well with this type of cut.  This type of cut also, for the most part helps maintain the structure of the head of  the cigar as you smoke it, because you're only cutting a small V from the cap.  The drawback (no pun intended) to this cut is that, if you smoke the stogie to fast, the possibility of tars building up and giving you that bitter taste, is more likely.  And because it's not cutting off the whole cap, it tends to make your smoke last longer. 

     The Punch, is my second most used cut.  The Punch is a hollow cut about the circumference of a No. 2 pencil.  Again, on the cap of the cigar you take the Punch and gently twist it, so it puts a hole in the top of it.  This is also good for larger ring cigars I mentioned in the paragraph above.   Like the V-cut, it regulates the amount of smoke that comes from the cigar, burning slower, and really mixing the tobaccos give you the ultimate taste profile.  As with the V-cut, the Punch will also build up that nasty tar if you smoke the cigar to fast.  Another drawback is that if the cigar has a double or triple cap, you may have to take some of the tobacco out of the hole (because the punch will only make a hole and not remove tobacco from the head of the cigar) and if you don't, it will make the draw somewhat harder.

     The Piercer is like the Punch, but it's very, very small.  If you've seen some of the older machine made sticks like White Owls, Dutch Masters etc., they have the piercing.  A small hole the size of a small galvanized "finishing" nail, which by the way is what some use to pierce their cigars.  Piercing a cigar is a really old fashioned way of enjoying your cigar.  The biggest drawback is that if the cigar is rolled to tight, you won't get a good draw and if you keep trying it will build up a massive amount of tar, although if you do get a nicely rolled cigar, plus you end up using the piercer to keep opening up a passage in the cigar.  Piercing produces just a small amount of smoke and it truly makes the smoke last a lot longer. 

     A lot of folks still bite or pinch the end of the cigars off and I truly don't recommend that method, but if that's all you have, go for it.   Biting or pinching tends to destroy the cap and the unraveling things happens.  I always keep a cutter or punch on my person.  You can get cutters or punches that fit on your key chain, I have a "credit card" cutter that's great (unless you forget it in your wallet and trying going through the machines at the airport).  It's a metal cutter that's the same size as a credit card and its good to have as a back up.  Several companies also make ink pens with punches built in, and a lot of lighters have cutters and punches built in as well. 

     So the next time you enjoy a stick, experiment with the different style cuts and you just may be surprised by what you discover.  Excuse me, while I V-cut my CAO Gold Maduro and enjoy my Friday evening.  Until next time, CLP!!! (clip or cut, light and puff)  Long ashes  (___G__________}}}}~~~

Kristoff Maduro Review

     In this week's Blog I decided on one of my favorites, Exclusive Cigars, Kristoff Maduro - The Matador.  If you haven't heard about Kristoff, you must obviously live under two rocks.  A relative "newcomer" to the boutique cigar world, Kristoff http://kristoff.com/ has been around since 2005, and has made a definite mark on the cigar world.  I recently had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with Glen Case, owner and founder of Exclusive Cigars, and I now know what makes this company special.  Glen is truly a pleasure to be around and a very attentive man, Glen knows his cigar stuff, but held an unyielding ear to what those of us who were enjoying his cigars had to say.  So with that being said, you may find my review just a bit biased, but for good reasons.

      As mentioned above I'll review the Matador today.  It's a 6.25 x 60, beauty of a stick with the old-fashioned "twisted pig tail" finish on the cap, and the shaggy finish on the foot.  Quite a hefty stick that's filled with tobacco and has one of the most pleasant pre-light aromas you'll find in a Maduro cigar.  Well constructed with a very chocolate Maduro wrapper, that had absolutely no flaws.  This cigar has Dominican Olor and Cuban Seed Nicaraguan fillers, a Dominican Republic binder and is cloaked with a Brazilian Maduro wrapper.  The pre-light draw is easy with floral hints, that are very satisfying, after-light, from the first puff, you know you're about to enjoy a hell of a stogie.  Mounds of smoke pours from this cigar and the aroma is really nice, again especially for a Maduro cigar.  You'll find some spice and sweetness in this cigar, with hints of toasted nuts as well as the robust taste of that Brazilian wrapper.  There is little to no aftertaste and for a medium to full bodied cigar, it's actually very light on the palate.  You can tell this is a very well constructed cigar. 

     The Matador burned evenly, and held a nice medium gray ash, that was firm and not flaky.  This stick is a doosey and took me two hours to finish with a glass of Crown Royal Cask 16 that complimented it well, such a great paring.  Absolutely no soft or rough spots throughout the cigar and about two-thirds in, I used my Cigar Stub www.cigarstub.com to really get into this thing.  Man, what flavor this thing builds to, still not overpowering, harsh or hot.  I know why I like these so much, you truly get a bang for your buck, and this is a very reasonably priced cigar (especially here in the People's Republic Of California). 

     So, what 'cha waiting for, get off your tush and grab a few or a box or two and join the Kristoff party.  I'm sure you won't be disappointed, as a matter-of-fact, I'm sure you'll be inviting others.  I've also enjoyed this stick with a Goose and Bull (Grey Goose and Red Bull), and it gives it a whole different finishing profile.  Still medium to full bodied, but the finishing sweetness is intensified just a little more.  I like these cigars and I like 'em a lot.  Until next time, CLP (clip, light and puff)  Long ashes!  (___G________]]]]~~~