The internet is full of misinformation, consequently, search results often provide conflicting answers to our questions. Here, Robustojoe the Cigar Sleuth, will find answers to your questions by doing the research for you. Only reliable sources will be quoted and if not available, Joe will sift through the available information and offer conclusions based on the research. So, what’s on your mind?
Got a cigar question? Let Joe do the research and he’ll get back to you…here!
5 Responses to “Got a cigar question? Let Joe do the research and he’ll get back to you…here!”
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Two questions.
1. What are the most common, current ring sizes available today? I find that when I buy my cigars, I like the larger ring sizes but once they arrive I don’t remember which one is what size. I see cigar gauges that go the full range of 28 ring to a 70 ring, with a 2/64th gap between each size and they are too large to carry. If I were to make my own cigar ring gauge and I wanted it to be small enough to fit in my pocket, what ring sizes would I want? And no, I don’t want to limit myself to just my favorite sizes.
2. OK, 3 if you count the hidden question within question 1. Another issue I have is I like packaged samples. It allows me to try different cigars, in an affordable price, that I might not be able to buy in a box, nor do i want to buy a box of untried cigars I later find I don’t like. Well, again when they arrive, I put them in the humidor, and in a few days when I go to get one, the band doesn’t tell me who made it, where its from, it’s size, nothing. So whether I like them or not I have no way of knowing which cigar to buy or avoid next time. Is there a way to identify a cigar from its band, that I am not aware of, so one can remember who made it?
Sure, the logical answer is to WRITE down what you’re buying when you place the order and I do that, sometimes. Sometimes the cigars are a gift, or exchanged with a fellow cigar smoker, and so I don’t know the information. I just know I like them or I don’t.
Benjamin, thank you for participating in this feature.
Your issue is one that I share myself. I often need to do research to find a particular cigar I enjoyed. In terms of remembering what cigars you bought, I suggest keeping a cigar journal. When you buy cigars, dedicate a page to each one and write down the name of the manufacturer, the vitola (toro, robusto, etc.), the purchase date, and from whom you bought it. Then as you smoke the sticks you can update the journal with comments for reference later. The key is being organized. A journal is a good way to keep all the info in one place.
As far as popular sizes, fat cigars are in vogue now. That’s why we now see so many new large ring size cigars. The robusto vitola is by far the most popular. They are less expensive than cigars of longer length, but still give us that fat cigar satisfaction (lots of rich smoke and a slow burn). Plus, there is less waste on a 5″ cigar if smoking time is an issue.
I hope this helps you with your dilemma.
Regards,
Arthur
Hi; I am confused. I recently I saw a comment from someone who was told by a lab technician that the salt test should not be done on digital hygrometers as the atmosphere it creates in the zip loc bag is very corrosive to the internals of the digital hygrometer which sounds plausible to me. I also saw various comments about digital hygrometers being super accurate to +/- 2% and do not need calibrating. have you any thoughts on this. Thanks
Hi. I every now and again end up with a cigar from my local cigar shop that is rolled too tightly and I have trouble drawing on it. I’ve tried to poke a hole through the center of the cigar with a small gauge nail, but this almost never works. Is there anything else I could try to loosen up the cigar so that I can get an acceptable draw of smoke out without passing out first? Thanks.
Joe.
Hi Joe. Clogged cigars is an issue we all face from time to time. As you know, no amount of drilling will bore air holes into the stick. The only thing that works for me, is a gentle massaging of the clipped cigar head. I will squeeze the end gently and try to separate the tobacco within the cap area. I then check it for draw and rotate the stick and do it again. I keep doing this until I feel I’ve gotten the best results, but a clogged cigar is usually too much bother to smoke. No amount of massaging, drilling, or cursing will unclog a poorly rolled cigar. My advice is to not light a clogged cigar and return it to your retailer and exchange it for another stick. Any good cigar seller will be glad to exchange your cigar for another, and I’ve done this many times. I hope this helps. Arthur