| One may not realize it, but the ash on the foot of | | | | burn. As any smoker is aware, the first puff off of a |
| one's cigar does play a role in how well the cigar | | | | cigar is usually the hottest. The temperature of the |
| smokes and how it tastes. Most often, individuals | | | | smoke mellows as ash is generated. |
| give this little consideration. There are good reasons | | | | Etiquette is also a part of deciding when to ash. |
| to maintain a certain amount of ash while smoking, | | | | Remember that a long ash will tend to shed all over |
| however. | | | | the place and, in environments where there is carpet |
| The first few puffs of a cigar always entail the | | | | or expensive furniture, this can result in some |
| hottest ember. The flame generated by high-end | | | | significant embarrassment. It's best to keep the ash |
| cigar lighters, such as a Colibri lighter, is very hot and, | | | | to a short enough length that one can be assured |
| thus, is held a bit back from the stogie. However, the | | | | that it stays fixed to the ember and doesn't fall in |
| ember still needs to cool a bit before the taste is at | | | | any inopportune places. |
| its best. | | | | The cigar ash may still have some very hot embers |
| While a cigar is certainly hot, it should not be so hot | | | | within it, so keep this in mind when smoking in |
| that it affects the taste of the tobacco. This is why | | | | outdoor locations. Especially in areas with dry grass or |
| very powerful lighters, such as the various Lotus | | | | wood, this can pose a risk of fire. To make sure the |
| torch lighter models, are held a bit away from the | | | | ash is cooled, flick it first into the palm of the hand |
| cigar during the lighting process. To burn, fire or | | | | and then toss it to the wind once one is sure it's |
| embers require fuel, oxygen and heat. The ash | | | | cooled off. Aside from determining the flavor of a |
| regulates the amount of oxygen the cherry receives | | | | cigar, the ash presents one of the hazards of |
| and, thus regulates the overall temperature of the | | | | smoking and should be watched. |