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Stogies of the Week: Epic Smokes

Paul & MarkJr: Prometheus Opus X Reserva D’Chateau (2002)

Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Opus X Rosado
Binder: Opus X Rosado
Filler: Opus X
Strength: Full
Vitola: Churchill
Size: 7 x 49
Age: Released in 2002
MSRP: $250.00

Tim: Liga Privada No. 9 Flying Pig

Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Ligero Oscuro
Binder: Brazilian Mata Fina
Filler: Honduran/Dominican
Strength: Medium/Full
Vitola: Sausage Like Perfecto
Size: 4.25 x 60
Age: Released in 2009
MSRP: $13.00

Stogie Santa: Tatuaje Pork Tenderloin

Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan – Based on the Tatuaje Reserva J21
Strength: Medium/Full
Vitola: Robusto
Size: 5 x 52
Age: Released in 2010
MSRP: $8.00

What We Have Been Smoking

The complete list of all cigars discussed in this segment can be found on the Episode 35 Stogies Page.

Paul’s List

See Paul’s List, complete with pictures, ratings and mini-reviews on his Stogie Feed.

Tim’s List

See Tim’s List, complete with pictures, ratings and mini-reviews on his Stogie Feed.

Mark’s List

See Mark’s List, complete with pictures, ratings and mini-reviews on his Stogie Feed.

Segment: The Right Way to Light a Cigar

Some will say there is no right or wrong way to do things with cigars (just as Bill Clinton). Lighting a cigar is not one of those things. There is a right way, and lots of wrong ways:

  • Step 1 – Make sure you remove any bands from the foot and any cedar wrappings. I’m not kidding, I’ve heard stories of people lighting the cigar with the cedar still on the cigar!
  • Step 2 – Toast the foot. This gives you a much better burn and avoids crooked burn lines allowing you to light your cigar evenly. Some people lick the foot, like popsicle, not recommended when you find out how many people touch your cigar before you. The trick here is to use a butane torch lighter, hold the cigar at a 45 degree angle well ABOVE the flame, and just turn the entire foot black.
  • Step 3 – Light the cigar with the torch. Put the cigar in your mouth, puff, rotate the cigar in a circle. Again, hold it as far away from the flame as you can, but while still getting it lit. A common mistake is hold the cigar too close, and scorch the wrapper, resulting a bad taste.
  • Step 4 – Gently blow on the foot of the cigar, making sure the entire foot is lit. Nothing is worse than having a half lit cigar, smolder all over the place, not getting a good draw, and possible burning uneven. Many new smokers don’t put enough fire on the cigar, or just don’t puff while trying to light it. Its not really smoking until the thing is on fire, completely red on the foot.
  • Step 5 – Enjoy your cigar.

Some notes, while I recommend a torch lighter, you can use cedar, cedar spills, a soft flame butane lighter, or wooden matches. Stay away from zippo, cardboard matches, lighting it using the camp fire, as these methods will ruin your cigar.

Contest: Stogiegeeks Epic Smoke Sampler

Question: What does the red band and black band signify on the foot of the Fuente cigars?

Congrats to Ron S. who correctly ansered “Red bands designate rosado wrappers and black are sungrown”.