The Twelve Commandments of Cigar Smoking
1. Cigar and pleasure go together. Thou shall smoke a cigar only if you have ample time on your hands, to enjoy it all in complete relaxation. 2. Thou shall follow the ritual. The cigar smoking ceremony is part of the pleasure, and the ritual has its practical purposes to ensure full enjoyment. 3. Thou shall not draw from the cigar more than a draw a minute so it shall not be too hot. 4. Thou shall not inhale the cigar smoke in order not to pollute your lungs. Your lungs are a place for clean air, not smoke. 5. The cigar likes company – a good drink, quite music, and good friends. 6. Remember to keep proper timing – a light cigar in the afternoon, a medium body one in the evening, and a full body one at night, and only after enjoying a good meal. 7. Thou shall not smoke if asked not to do so. One’s pleasure does not have to be another person’s discomfort. 8. Respect the cigar that gave you much pleasure. Don’t squash it when you’re done. The cigar is a work of art made with loving and caring hands. Leave it in the ashtray and let it go in its own time to the eternal smoke fields. 9. This is your cigar, but it doesn’t mind you having other cigars as well. Try different cigars for extended pleasure. 10. Thou shall keep your cigars in a 70/70 humidor so it will have a long life and improve its taste. 11. Thou shall cut your cigar as I taught you – as minimally as possible yet still opening 75%-85% of the end, which may be as little as 1/32”, leaving a ring of it’s “cap” to avoid loosening its wrapper. 12. Thou shall remember to properly light the cigar. All its “face” must be burning. Proper lighting ensures even burning. You will enjoy the cigar much more if you light it properly.