If storing cigars for any period of time it’s recommended to store them inside a cedar lined cigar humidor. The cedar encourages the flavours and ageing of the cigar and also helps maintain the humidity level inside the humidor, as it holds moisture well. A relative humidity of between 65-75% should be maintained and a temperature of 18-21°C  (64-70°F) is considered optimal. At temperatures below 12°C  (54°F) the cigar ageing process can be compromised, and if storing cigars in temperatures exceeding 24°C  (75°F) tobacco worm is more likely.

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When lighting your cigar it’s best to use a butane lighter such as a jet flame lighter or a wooden match stick. Try to stay away from ‘gasoline’ type lighters as the odours are absorbed by the cigar and the flavour tainted. Also try to avoid matches containing wax, such as paper matches, or matches with high sulphur content. Take your time when lighting your cigar as a badly lit cigar will definitely spoil your experience! Initially hold the cigar horizontally in direct contact with the lighter flame, and slowly revolve it until the end is evenly charred all over.

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All Havana cigars have a double cap over the head with the best cut approximately an eighth of an inch or 2-3mm just above the cap line. Ideally you should open 75%-85% of the cigars total width to allow the smoke an uninterrupted passage. Be careful because if you accidentally cut above the cap line the cigar may begin to unravel. There are number of cigar cutting tools and methods of cigar cutting. These include double bladed ‘CC cutters’, cigar scissors or a punch cutter with a circular blade. And remember.. the cut should always be clean and level. The best way to achieve this is with a quick, decisive cut!

I was recently in Bangkok on business at the Novotel on Siam Square. Sitting at the bar after a long day of meetings I did the usual and ordered a Singha and began to wind down. As I’d run out of my own cigar stash I chose to order one of the Jose L. Piedra Cuban cigars sitting behind the bar in a small wooden humidor with a typical glass door. To my surprise the bar staff presented a cigar lighter and proceeded to warm the length of the cigar before cutting it! My instant reaction was ‘Is there something I should know that I’m missing regarding cigar etiquette?’ So when I got home I decided to do some research on this and found the answer.

Apparently not! I’m told this was done in the 19th century to burn off the unpleasant gum used on some cigars made in Seville. Today’s handmade Cuban cigars use a small drop of flavourless, odourless vegetable gum at the cap end of the wrapper leaf.