Ever find yourself wishing you could carry on a truly intelligent conversation with other cigar smokers? Do you hesitate to put yourself out there because you just aren’t 100% sure of the terms they may use? Here are some vocabulary words from your favorite Cigar of the Month Club that you can use with pure confidence:
Ever hear the term “Don’t put your foot in your mouth?” That really holds true when discussing cigars. No —really — the FOOT of the cigar does NOT go in your mouth. It’s the end that you light.
So what end DOES go in your mouth? That would be the HEAD. It’s sealed, so you must either snip it, cut it, or if you’re a cowboy, bite it off and spit it out, before lighting up.
The barber-pole is not the mesmerizing tube out front of where you used to get your hair cut. When heard in cigar conversation, it means a cigar that resembles that old-fashioned pole. The alternating spirals of a BARBER POLE cigar are achieved by the use of two or more different colored pieces of wrapper leaves, overlapped as the cigar is formed.
A cigar KNOT is really not a knot. Think of it more like an obstruction. This happens when the filler tobacco is inadvertently twisted as the cigar is made. It renders a cigar unsmokeable because the smoke cannot navigate through the knot. If your smoke won’t smoke, a knot might be the culprit. You can open the airway by carefully pushing a small pointed rod of some type down the center of the cigar. The obstruction is usually found near the band area, so try going that far, further only if necessary.
If somebody says something about “a really big salmon,” and you think “huge fish,” chances are your hearing is impaired. A SALAMONE is a type of PERFECTO cigar. A perfecto always is fashioned with a point at both ends of the smoke. Some perfectos are radically tapered with a flared foot. To be a salamone, the overall length must be at least 8 inches.
Trick Question: If both ends are tapered, which end do you light? Answer: Always light the un-sealed foot end.
Take a Close Look at this Month’s Cigar Selections . . NICARAGUA & THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
1) DURAN NEYA F-8 LOYALIST – Nationality: Nicaraguan Appearance: FULL bodied, 6.5; 54 ring; Comes in a gorgeous Ecuadoran Habano wrapper
Personality: A powerhouse, her blend of Nicaraguan long-fillers include well-fermented Nicaraguan ligero. Expect a perfectly balanced array of progressive flavors: earth, leather, cedar and nuts. This one’s an unforgettable experience.
2) CARRILLO DARK RITUALS ROBUSTO – Nationality: Dominican Appearance: MEDIUM-FULL bodied, 5.0; 50 ring; Well dressed in Connecticut Broad leaf Maduro
Personality: On the outside she has a pitch-black hue and oily sheen. She’s a robust blend of long-fillers with a feisty Ecuadorian binder. Exceedingly complex, with balanced dark tobacco, roasted coffee and leather. Semi-sweet and chewy on the nose.
3) : CARLOS TORANO CAPTIVA TORO – Nationality: Nicaraguan Appearance: FULL bodied, 6.0; 50 ring; Exquisite in an oily, dark brown Ecuadorian wrapper
Personality: A rich blend of well-aged Nicaraguan long-fillers, she’s the first to honor Carlos Torano, President of the company for over a decade. Bold body delivers a satisfying experience loaded with sweet cedar, black pepper, chocolate and java.
4) LA HERENCIA CUBANA OSCURO FUERTE TORO – Nationality: Nicaraguan Appearance: FULL bodied, 6.5; 50 ring; Dressed dark and lovely in a Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrap
Personality: This rich, full-flavored morsel is packed with quality aged long-leaf ligeros. Feisty and chewy with lip-smacking layers of tobacco flavor tamed by refreshingly sweet undertones. Toast and oak cling to the palate. Hang on – what a ride!
5) SIGNATURE COLLECTION FUMAS TORO – Nationality: Nicaraguan Appearance: MEDIUM bodied, 6.1; 50 ring; Sports a rich, golden Nicaraguan Habano wrapper
Personality: An affordable handmade smoke, she sports a rich, golden wrap and a ‘Cuban-sandwich’ array of hearty fillers. With ample notes of toast, spice, coffee and a long finish, she burns and draws well, enjoyable time after time.
