Cigar Opinion

[michaelskar]

I was recently given a romeo and julieta clemenceau (in a tube) cigar as a gift. I was just wondering if anyone was familiar with it...and if so do they have any advice for me when trying it? I must admit I smoked cigarettes for years (and puffed on nasty swisher sweets in my late teens for a lark), but have yet to "properly" enjoy a "real" cigar.

Is this cigar any good? Also, can I use a razor blade to cut the end or is there a better method (I don't have a cigar cutter). Any advice would be appreciated.

[barnz]

As far as I know, the brand you got is a good one, but I'm not too sure about the specific one you got. Surely, someone more experienced will chime in. Also, an old english fellow I work with, the best guy I know, btw, sticks a toothpick in the end of the cigar when he doesn't want to cut the end off, or have access to a cutter; this way, he doesn't get tobacco everywhere, and, he says, 'won't die of cancer'. I've tried it a few times while golfing, and it works well. You still get quite a good draw from the cigar. Just a thought...

Ryan

[Suzuki]

I'm assume its a non-Cuban - still a good cigar.

The tube will keep it fresh for a while (unless you open it). If you want to keep it longer, you'll have to keep it moist (if you put it in a ziploc bag or tupperware with a moist piece of sponge or moist piece of paper towel (which should not be in contact with the cigar), you can keep it longer. Since you can't likely tell if the cigar is getting dried out or too damp, you're better off smoking it sooner, rather than later.

I enjoy having some mineral water or tea with my cigars. Port also goes nicely - but don't bother with an expensive port - anything decent will do.

You can cut the end with any sharp object. If you look closely, there will be a "cap" at the end (basically a round piece of leaf that covers the end). Cut the cap off, but you want to leave a little circle of the cap (which will help prevent the end from starting to unravel/fray) - I tend to cut my cigars with a small pocketknife. I cut the cap off just before the point where the tip of the cigar goes from round to straight, which usually leaves a few mm of the cap to hold the end of the cigar together.

Smoke it when you have the time to relax and enjoy it - don't feel the need to smoke it down to your fingertips (cigars often get bitter towards the end) -stop when you stop enjoying the taste. If you smoke it too quickly, it will become hot and bitter - so take your time and enjoy.

[boboakalfb]

You can cut the end with any sharp object. If you look closely, there will be a "cap" at the end (basically a round piece of leaf that covers the end). Cut the cap off, but you want to leave a little circle of the cap (which will help prevent the end from starting to unravel/fray) - I tend to cut my cigars with a small pocketknife. I cut the cap off just before the point where the tip of the cigar goes from round to straight, which usually leaves a few mm of the cap to hold the end of the cigar together.



Follow this advice and you will be fine...

Just relax and enjoy...don't rush it.

[Suzuki]

One more thing - I find I get better results if I cut around the cap as opposed to trying to cut through from one side to the other.

Basically you take your cutting tool of choice and run it around the cigar - keeping the cigar steady. This will remove the cap and you can then trim any bits in the middle that you didn't get when you cut the cap off.

Grip the cigar gently - only enough force to keep it steady - to avoid crushing it. Similarly, use just enough pressure on the blade to get it to cut into the cigar - remember, you're not chopping turnips!

Oh - to answer your original question, I wouldn't use a DE blade - too much risk of cutting yourself. I would use a sharp, non-serrated paring knife or a good pocketknife.

[michaelskar]

Thanks for the advice, gents! I am looking forward to enjoying it tonight after SWMBO goes to bed...perhaps with some Jonesy port. It is dominican, not Cuban. I vacationed in Belize a few years ago and am kicking myself for not trying a Cuban while I was there...

[boboakalfb]

The Laphroaig wouldn't be a bad idea either...

[michaelskar]

Mmmmmm...now you're talking! For some reason I wasn't sure if they would go together. But since you've twisted my arm...:biggrin:

I know this is off topic, but I started the thread so i won't be offended by my saying...I LOVE THE LAPHROAIG (10 yr)!

[boboakalfb]

Or sample a bit of each and see what you think...

Laphroaig=Smoke...so why not give it a shot? The only thing better might be to start off with a nice relaxing shave with Salter's Vetiver. Bring on the smoke!

I agree on the Laphroaig 10 btw...I just picked up the 15 and the CS and QC are in my future...

[Suzuki]

Scotch will work, but I find that something with a bit of sweetness seems to go better with a cigar - cognac, brandy, etc. That being said, the Laphroaig is great stuff.

As for the Cuban thing - one of the great things about living in Canada is the absence of any regressive trade policies with that particular country.

Having said that, there are lots of great non-Cuban cigars out there and many Americans find them too strong after being accustomed to milder Dominican/Honduran/Nicaraguan cigars.

As with shaving products - there's no best cigar or beverage to go with one - smoke and drink what you like!

[MaduroMan_wcp]

you got a decent cigar on the med side for power....as far as a bev for it, try a good port.

cigars go good with port, single malt, rum, potato vodka, Bombay Blue Saphire gin, IPA and stout....

[MCsommerreid]

It's a pretty good smoke, I have a non-tuboed one sitting in my humidor aging.

Far as cutting with out a cutter, i've used sharp x-acto knives to great success. I've also used DE razor blades, but you need to cut slowly and carefully. The DE blades work way better than the x-acto, but with the x-acto there's minimal risk to slicing all the skin off your fingers.

[michaelskar]

Just wanted to say I tried the R&J Clemenceaus last night and it was absolutely delightful...seemed pretty mild to me, but that is fine. I was surprised actually at how unobtrusive it was...just really really smooth and nice. I will be trying some other cigars now...

I also had no idea how long they burned! I was thinking like 30 to 45 mins...but it was over an hour and still about half (maybe less) smoked.

I had a little port with it and then I tried a little scotch with it...and it was amazing how the flavors really interacted producing novel flavors. very very nice! I would say I maybe preferred the port with the cigar, but I'm not going to knock it with scotch.

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

[Suzuki]

Port and scotch - I'm shocked you actually remembered that you had a cigar - let alone how long it burned for:biggrin:

[michaelskar]

Port and scotch - I'm shocked you actually remembered that you had a cigar - let alone how long it burned for:biggrin:

it was just a wee wee wee dram of each :wink:

[Iceman]

Just wanted to say I tried the R&J Clemenceaus last night and it was absolutely delightful...seemed pretty mild to me, but that is fine. I was surprised actually at how unobtrusive it was...just really really smooth and nice. I will be trying some other cigars now...

I also had no idea how long they burned! I was thinking like 30 to 45 mins...but it was over an hour and still about half (maybe less) smoked.

I had a little port with it and then I tried a little scotch with it...and it was amazing how the flavors really interacted producing novel flavors. very very nice! I would say I maybe preferred the port with the cigar, but I'm not going to knock it with scotch.

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

Welcome to the world of handmade cigars. No comparison with machine made drug store brands. You should go see the local tobacconist at a cigar store. He will put you on the path to some cigars you might like. You can also pick up a cutter and/or punch for a few bucks there too.
It sounds like you took your time when you smoked it. Many newbs tend to be power puffers. One draw every 30-45 seconds is about right. Keeps the cigar cooler and burning evenly. For shorter smoking times try a corona or robusto size cigar (about 5" long). They will last about 45 minutes, which IMHO is the perfect time for a cigar. Much longer and the cigar gets dull and can change tastes dramatically because of all the smoke and tars that get drawn through the leaves.

Just my $.02