One of our most looked-forward-to segments, Fan Mail, returns! This is where we pass along some tips and tricks to answer the cigar questions our readers send our way through email, Facebook and more…because after all, we want to smoke better – not work harder. So many questions have come in since our last presentation it was hard to choose, but some of topics we’ll be talking about include cutting extra-wide ring gauge cigars, and the best way to unplug a torch lighter.
As always, we appreciate your comments and sharing these videos with your fellow cigar smokers. If you’ve got a question, let us know by leaving a comment, or send us a message via Facebook or one of our other social media channels.
Here’s what we’ve got out of the mailbag this month. . .
By John Pullo
We’re back to the mailbag with a question from Jim in Utica, New York – he’s discovered that he likes Maduro cigars, but is a little confused now that he’s seeing cigars like Sancho Panza and CAO described as “double Maduro” and Camacho’s “triple Maduro.” So he asked, “Can you tell me what is a double Maduro cigar?”
You might think, “That’s easy – it’s just more Maduro!” Close, but no: turns out there is an old-school answer, and a more “common practice” answer to Jim’s question – so double Maduro can mean TWO things. If you’d like to learn the what and the why, watch my video now…
By Gary Korb
This is a goodie that may save you a lot of trouble. Brent in Oxnard, California writes: “I bled my lighter before refueling, as usual, but after I refilled it the flame height was way lower than it should be, even on the highest setting. I’m using high quality gas, too. Did this a few times and same thing. Any ideas?”
Sounds like the jets are clogged. If you’ve ever found yourself in a similar predicament, here’s a solution I learned from one of our retail store associates. Assuming it’s not something more serious that’s causing the lighter to fail, watch this simple hack that works like magic now. . .
By Fred Lunt
As cigar smokers dive into the big ring gauge trend, more and more of them are faced with the problem of cutting these monster-sized cigars. Steve in Tucson, AZ reached out to find the best ways to cut those big cigars and Fred, in true Cigar Advisor style, gladly obliged. See his recommendations for the right big ring accessories and how to slice ’n’ dice in a pinch. The answer may surprise you, so watch now. . .
By Tommy Zman
Jason from NJ asks us a great question that we hear a lot, and it’s basically about how one learns to identify the flavor profiles in cigars. Well, it can actually take a little time and practice, but with a little patience and smoking a variety of different types of cigars, you definitely can start to pick up on the base flavor profiles and develop your palate from there.
More cigar questions are coming – so are more of these short n’ sweet video answers. Check out our next edition of Fan Mail, to see if we’ve answered your burning questions!
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The Cigar Advisor Staff is comprised of three good-humored, yet dangerously unpredictable writers who share over 60 years of premium cigar smoking experience. Traversing the tobacco landscape like smoke-shrouded Avengers, they wander (mostly because the fat one ate the map) in search of new leaf adventures armed with nothing but torch lighters and runcible spoons as their weapons. Each is equally knowledgeable on the matters and pursuits of the cigar lifestyle, with his own unique and capricious insights on various luxury, sports, automobiles and entertainment affairs - all served with good counsel for your reading pleasure.
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Reading Time: 3 minutes We’re reaching back into the mail bag with another trio of great questions. This month, we’re talking about strength differences between ring gauges, when it’s best to let a cigar go, and why some cigars are expensive. Tune in now!
Reading Time: 2 minutes This month, Cigar Advisor Fan Mail is tackling questions on inhaling cigars, which water is best to use in your humidor, and more. Click now to see the video answers!
Reading Time: 3 minutes This week we’re blind reviewing the new Drew Estate Blackened “M81,” made with James Hetfield of Metallica and Master Distiller Rob Dietrich. Watch Paul, Jared, and John smoke and review Blackened in real time while discussing Metallica’s impact on them. Check out our review to see if Blackened “M81” is worth a try!
Reading Time: 2 minutes How do you choose the right cutter for your cigar? What is Ligero tobacco? We answer these cigar questions and more, so tune into Cigar Advisor Fan Mail pt. 48!
Guys, Question regarding the difference in cigars within the same brand/ series of cigars. As an example the Rocky Patel Edge: You have the Conneticut, Habano, and Maduro. Is the only difference in the wrapper used, or are the filler blends completely different also? Kind of hard to believe that a wrapper could add this much strength to a stick.
Hey. Sorry for such a late reply, Yes, it’s amazing but true, the wrapper really does have a marked effect on a cigar’s blend. Perdomo cigars are a great example of this, since they use Habano, Sun Grown, Connecticut, and Maduro wrappers. All I can add is that you need to try them for yourself. Hope this helped. G-~