Debates at my local cigar lounge

SmokySuit

Can you guys help settle some ongoing debates at my local cigar lounge? A few of us have been debating these two questions for some time, I happen to agree with Answer B… Question 1. Is a cigar’s flavor affected by the ash? Answer A: The less you ash your cigar the more like burnt ash it will taste toward the end. Answer B: Ash doesn’t affect taste; I like to see how long I can keep the ash on. Question 2. Does it matter if your lighters flame touches the cigar? Answer A: No, just suck the flame in until it’s lit Answer B: Yes, it’s best to just toast the foot of the cigar without the flame ever touching

xmacro

Not sure about Question 1, but for Question 2, I think the most common reason that people say don't let the flame touch is because the cigar could pick up some of the butane taste - hence the aficionado practice of first lighting a cedar strip, then lighting the cigar from the strip

wwhwang

sol1821

ejenne87

phobicsquirrel

ellinas

sounds like a question for kuzi, that man knows everything... i wish i could help but the only thing i can give you is logical guesses

RaschNuts

Not sure on the actual answers but i do prefer to toast to light. I notice guys at my B&M ash alot and some dont i think part of it comes to personal preference if they enjoy it that way and it works have at it.

docbp87

Nick2021

interesting responses, enjoy reading this type of stuff! I have over-heated my cigars which left a bitter taste...sucks

Diamondog

xmacro

. . . with DD's response, I'm totally confused now - I had always heard ash cools the smoke down as well, but DD's explanation does make a lot of sense. I think we need Alex to explain things.

fla-gypsy

I have done both questions both ways without any appreciable difference, just saying

kuzi16

roland_7707

so how do you light with matches? dont you have to touch the flame to it?

JCizzle

roland_7707:

so how do you light with matches? dont you have to touch the flame to it?

No, I use only matches because I haven't been able to find a butane lighter in this part of the world, much less butane refills. You let the head of the match burn first, then you just toast the cigar without actually touching the flame. Takes longer but it works.

SmokySuit

Thanks everyone for the input!!!