The KC/DW Review Series

[mrtr33]

I have no problem with the Shaggy-Foot. I toast and light them as any other stick. It would seem that they would flare up and start to burn crazy with all the loose filler sticking out but not so. They might even light better. I suspect it is more old-world novelty than function.

On a scale of 1-10 I rate this cigar 8.5.

Yet another fabulous review. I have two questions.

One: Do you think the shaggy foots seen now in the more boutique brands more of a novelty, and what function could they possibly serve?

Two: Care to perhaps go a bit more in depth of the way you light a cigar? I'm still a newb. I just torch the fucking thing until I'm sure the end is entirely lit, and I know I'm doing it wrong, but all searching the forums only brings up vague descriptions. I sometimes use a torch, but most often, use matches, lighting the cigar (of course) after the sulfur burns off (but could be 5-10 matches). Thanks.

[DeeDubya]

Yet another fabulous review. I have two questions.

One: Do you think the shaggy foots seen now in the more boutique brands more of a novelty, and what function could they possibly serve?

Two: Care to perhaps go a bit more in depth of the way you light a cigar? I'm still a newb. I just torch the fucking thing until I'm sure the end is entirely lit, and I know I'm doing it wrong, but all searching the forums only brings up vague descriptions. I sometimes use a torch, but most often, use matches, lighting the cigar (of course) after the sulfur burns off (but could be 5-10 matches). Thanks.

Good questions but I'm afraid I will fail the first. I have not found a solid answer for why "Shaggy-foot" other than "Old World Tradition". I suspect it might go back as far as the first cigars. Now, yes I think it is just a novelty.

Properly lighting a cigar is probably as diverse as smoking one; But, I have some solid "Must do" and "Must not do" rules.

Lighting media - Get away from sulfer matches. They are only better than rubbing two sticks together. Basically, any match or torch that can introduce any contaminates to your cigar can and will taint the taste. It is almost impossible to avoid contaminates, mainly soot, so that's why it is so important to:

Toast - Use a blue flame torch or cedar spill to get the best results. Hold your cigar in one hand (not your mouth) and the torch or spill in the other. Keep the foot just above the tip of the flame where it is the hottest and most contaminates have been consumed. Slowly roll the cigar above the flame until you see an ember start to glow. Do not allow the flame to light the wrapper, just the very end of the foot. When it starts to glow, pull the flame away and blow on the foot, watching for a full ember. If you see some dark spots or it looks uneven, toast a little more and blow again. This really takes much less time than you might think and will vary with each vitola. A robusto would take longer to light than a corona. As soon as you have a full ember, puff away. Because you already have a full ember you won't have to draw very hard, it is already well lit. I promise, it will be become a natural and you will appreciate the result over time.

The Results - Because you have not drawn any contaminates into the cigar it will be in it's purest state. Let's take an extreme case with a sulfer match. Strike the match and immediately start to light your cigar. The burned sulfer is pulled completely through the entire length of the cold tobacco filler. As it does it condenses on the cooler tobacco and remains there. You have ruined an otherwise good cigar and it will not change as you smoke it. Oh, you will probably not notice it after a few minutes because you are now used to the sulfer taste. I am so picky that I can even taste the soot from a soft flame lighter if it is allowed to blacken the foot of a cigar. Zippos? Don't even ask. This is a cigar not a cigarette. You are in a different league.

Spills - The correct name for a cedar splint or stick or even the rolled up cedar sleeve you just removed from you cigar is a "Spill". Use one to toast your cigar. It is not as easy as using a torch because they sometime burn faster than the time it takes to toast. I like cedar spills but they also produce a lot of soot and sometimes pop and shoot little embers which can also be a challenge. Some justify the extra effort with an improved taste.

I hope this will help. I don't claim to be an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I have picked up some helpful hints along the way. Quite a long way I might add.

[mrtr33]

Do not allow the flame to light the wrapper, just the very end of the foot. When it starts to glow, pull the flame away and blow on the foot, watching for a full ember. If you see some dark spots or it looks uneven, toast a little more and blow again. This really takes much less time than you might think and will vary with each vitola. A robusto would take longer to light than a corona. As soon as you have a full ember, puff away. Because you already have a full ember you won't have to draw very hard, it is already well lit. I promise, it will be become a natural and you will appreciate the result over time.

Spills - The correct name for a cedar splint or stick or even the rolled up cedar sleeve you just removed from you cigar is a "Spill".

I hope this will help. I don't claim to be an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I have picked up some helpful hints along the way. Quite a long way I might add.

You haven't the slightest idea how far my imagination can stretch. THANKS! That was awesome.

But more questions.

For one thing, if no part of the flame touches the wrapper, I only allow the embers to burn the wrapper, where, as I've been told before, the majority of the taste resides, correct?
I have a dual-torch, which it would seem make lighting smaller ring-gauge cigars more difficult. But because only the top of the flame is touching / toasting, it won't make any difference, will it? So how high do you set your torch, then?

The advantage to using a spill is to add a bit of a smoked cedary taste to the cigar, correct? I don't suppose it makes any difference what you light the cedar spill with, is there?

Thanks again.

[DeeDubya]

Logan37 dropped this one on me... Many thanks. Ashauler had done a review some time back on a Sol Cubano maduro and gave it some high marks. This was the first for me and I liked it.

Made by Oliva in Esteli, Nicaragua, this is a really sumptious and authentically "Cuban" looking cigar. The long-filler is a masterfull blend of "Cuban Seed" Honduran and Nicaraguan tobacco wrapped in a thick, smooth, leathery Ecuadorian wrapper with a notable oily sheen. Perfect for those Habano lovers like me. Construction is near perfect with a generous tight roll and very uniform fill.

Toasting was a little different as it was slow to show an ember but as soon as I blew on the foot it lit up like a coal furnace. The first draw was easy and satisfying as it produced an ample amount of creamy white smoke. Some spiciness at the onset that almost immediately evolved into nuances of wood and leather. The medium body also gained some strength around half way and became what I would consider to be near perfect. Not too strong but intensely flavorful and robust. Delicious.

An awesome value at around $4 (box price) it would be great to always have a few on hand.

Thanks again Rich for your generousity.

On a scale of 1-10 I rate this cigar 9.

[CAJUNBLAZE]

This is the mack daddy of reviews.
Thanks for all the info DeeDubya!!


Thanks Rich

[ashauler]

Nice review once again DW!! A "9" rated $4 smoke is what we need more of!!

[logan37]

Great review DW. I really enjoy these sticks as well. I have a few left but they are on my "box" purchase list when I start buying boxes. I'm happy you liked it.