The Smoking Room

I would like to share some of my thoughts and experiences with you on cigars and some of the rituals involved with enjoying a good smoke. I hope you find the contents both interesting and helpfull. First of all I would like to tell you a little bit about my own smoking preferences. I prefer either a robusto or churchill size. I think that you get a lot more flavor and enjoyment out of a larger ring gauge cigar. I do smoke other sizes but very rarely anything under a 42 ring. My favorite cigar is probably a Partagas #10. This is one of the best tasting, well-made, flavorfull sticks I have ever had. It is always consistent in taste and construction, something you can't always say in the market these days. I have found the Macanudo Robust to be quite good, too. I have always felt Macanudo was over rated, kind of boring and, generally, tasteless. That is definitley not the case with the Robust line. Very flavorfull but not overpowering.

Have you ever noticed that sometimes after smoking a stick down so far it tends to get bitter? This can happen to even the best of premium cigars. Did you know there is a way to salvage what remains of your precious smoke? Well, there is. The bitterness is from a build up on the lighted end of the cigar. Carefully remove any larger pieces of ash from your stick. Then place a flame just under the end of your cigar while blowing out and slowly rotating it. You will see a blue flame jet out the end. This very hot blue flame will burn off all of the build up that is causing the bitterness. Continue to blow steadily until the blue flame has gone out. Wait about a minute, then start enjoying the great flavor of your cigar again. Try this little secret the next time your favorite smoke starts to go bitter on you. I know you'll be glad you did.