If you have ever smoked a cigar, the answer to the question "why does a cigar need to be cut?" will probably seem quite obvious to you.
The short answer is this: almost all cigars now have a cap at the head of the cigar. It needs to be cut so that air can pass through the cigar for you to smoke it.
It may seem inconvenient to have to cut the head of a cigar before smoking it. However, it is designed this way to help it maintain its shape intact before being consumed.
When you cut your cigar, it is crucial to avoid cutting more than necessary, otherwise, you risk the cigar coming apart completely.
Now let's look at the reason why cigars have a cap, why they are not pre-cut by cigar manufacturers, and how to adapt your cut.
Why do cigars have a cap?
One of the main reasons why cigars have a cap is to reduce the risk of the cigar unraveling. A premium cigar is made up of tobacco leaves that make up the filler. They are concealed within a tobacco leaf called the binder, and then hand-wrapped with a thin tobacco leaf called the wrapper to create the shape of the cigar.
This is a meticulous and skillful process. The wrapper helps to hold everything in place once the cigar is rolled.
When you cut the cap of your cigar, you need to be careful. If you cut too far, your cigar may start to unravel. Only a small part of the cap should be removed.
If you are concerned about cutting too much of the cap using a guillotine cutter, you can always try a V-cutter or a cigar punch. They make a small notch instead of cutting a large part of the cap.
Some cigar enthusiasts will also tell you that a cigar with a cap is simply more beautiful!
Why are cigars not delivered with pre-cut caps?
As you need to cut a bit of the cap to smoke, some of you may wonder why cigar manufacturers do not pre-cut them. There are several reasons for this.
Personal preference
Having a pre-cut cap can make things easier if you are a novice smoker who is not yet accustomed to cutting cigars. However, for the majority of cigar smokers, cutting the cap is a very personal experience.
The cigar is more appealing if you are able to cut it the way you want, rather than in a predetermined way by the manufacturer.
Every cigar smoker has their own preference on how to cut a cigar. That's why there are various types of cigar cutters available to meet everyone's expectations.
Some prefer to cut the end of the cigar using a guillotine or double-blade cutter, while others prefer to simply make a hole with a punch or cut a slit with a V-cutter.
And although we do not recommend it, some cigar smokers do things differently. Instead of using a cutter, Winston Churchill would moisten the end of his cigar and then use an extra-long match to puncture it!
Adapting the cut to the draw
As each type of cigar uses different tobacco, rolling methods, and sizes, the draw of each cigar also varies. The draw refers to how easily you can draw smoke from one end of the cigar to the other. You can test it before lighting by blowing into the cigar.
If the cap is cut too wide, the draw is too loose and the cigar burns too quickly or unevenly. This can result in unpleasant tastes.
Conversely, if the cigar is cut too small, it will have a tight draw. This will make it difficult for you, and the cigar will burn hot without the delicious flavors and aromas developing properly.
By cutting the cigar yourself, you have more control over adjusting the cut according to the cigar. Start by removing a small piece of the cap and test it. You can then remove more if necessary.
At Gentleman Lounge, we have a wide range of cigar cutters for you to choose from to achieve the perfect cut for your cigar!
