How do you smoke a cigar?

[Dickson]

I get a good fire going in my pit. Toast the foot and smoke away. Pondering why the hell I have such a hard time discerning flavors. After it's done, I debate, wether I want another. Depends on how cold and how early it is. I usually head back in with a big smile on my face. Always a good experience.

[derivation]

I'm still pretty new to smoking, but I figured I'd offer up how my usual experience goes.

I almost always smoke at night, usually pretty late because it's the only time when I'm free. Recently, it has meant bundling up and putting on multiple layers. Then I typically select the smoke, which is usually dependent on my mood and how long I want to stay outside. I still have to watch to make sure I pair full belly with full smoke so I don't get .

The next step is setting up my smoking area on the porch. I usually grab a coke (with rum, scotch, or jack depending on what I have around), my video ipod, a small cushion I sit on, ashtray, lighter, cutter, and sometimes blanket.

Before lighting or cutting, I always make a point to smell the cigar. I find that it's easier to pick up the flavors in the smoke if I smell them on the cigar beforehand. They don't always correspond, but mostly they do.

After cutting I lightly put the foot of the cigar into the flame, making a point to rotate it. Once the entire foot is somewhat blackened I will take a few light puffs and then a deep one or two to get the cigar going strongly.

In the beginning I smoke somewhat fast, in order to make sure the cigar burns well. I always make a point take a few deep puffs and let the smoke stay in my mouth for a while to see if I can pick up any flavors. After a while, I typically get into whatever I'm watching on the ipod (The Wire, season 1 at the moment) and let the cigar burn slowly.

Typically I only smoke 3/4s of the cigar as the end tends to have burn problems and not be as tasty. I find it's usually too much effort so I let it die. All in all about an hour.

[jiaguy]

I generally look carefully at the cap and cut with a xicar, trying avoid cutting all of one end of cap off. I light with a torch or multiple matches. I always puts the foot in the flame directly, as i get it red-hot. Then I hit the center with the flame and puff. It initially tastes awful but the burn seems worth it to me. The rate I smoke is completely determined by the strength and how stuffed the cigar is. I tend to be a power smoker, unless its a special occasion.

[boomshay]

selecting a stick isn't too difficult for me, i've got a few bundles and boxes that i'll smoke out of if i'm in the mood for a "regular" smoke, if i'm in the mood for something new, i've got a few singles i've picked up from the noob sampler and a few bombs/trades

i usually turn on the space heater in my screened porch before picking out a stick to warm up the room atleast a little bit, i also wear layers upon layers of clothing to stay warm.

i'm quite bad at lighting, usually scorch the end pretty bad, but it goes away after a few minutes. i haven't gotten myself to buy a torch because i'd rather spend that money on cigars.

i usually puff 2 times each time i puff, one small one which i exhale immediately while the stick is still in my mouth, and a longer one which i keep in my mouther longer and exhale a bit through my nose. the first small puff is just to make sure its burning well and that i'll get plenty of smoke in the second puff, which is for tasting

i tend to smoke them a little further than the band, i haven't had a stick that i've really felt the need to nub yet, but i'm sure it'll happen eventually

i smoke pretty slowly, usually a 1 hour smoke will last me an hour and a half or longer, i like to relax and puff slowly while reading a book or browsing the net on the laptop

i also bring a pitcher of ice water out with me and usually drink 1-3 glasses depending on the stick and wether it gets harsh or not