C is for Cigars

I love a cigar. I thought about holding this topic for V is for ... Vices—and that still may be the topic—but I made a snap call this evening.

All the smoking warnings aside—and considered—the often quiet and reflective moments of an hour or more cannot be discounted. I've developed a few of my own rituals. And there are many varied rituals in the cigar smoking community. My first ritual is removing the slender cellophane tube that holds many mid-market “sticks." Many up-market cigars do not, but some do. 

I fold the wrapper then roll it on my finger and tighten it into a squat roll and hold it for a between my forefinger and thumb for a minute or two while I inspect the cigar. I set the cellophane in my ash bowl where it will spring open into a loose curl.

Cigars come with a distinctive label that wraps the body of the cigar. Decorative, often evocative of a forgotten moment in the 19th century, but some modern, and many in-between. I really strive to remove this label in a single piece by sliding it off the body toward the “foot" or “cap" of the cigar. This is important in my ritual as you'll understand in a moment.

Cigar labels are affixed with a food grade “glue" that will break down when the heat of the burning leaf nears it. But if I can, I'll see if it is loose and slip it off right then, otherwise, I'll wait. The label is said to placed by the roller at the “end" of the cigar. 

Cigars are discussed by their beginning, middle, and end. Many smokers talk about how enjoyable a section is or discuss how the flavor and blend changes from start to finish. If the label then is thought to be the “end of the middle" or the “beginning of the end" then it is good to take note of the label's placement.

When the label finally lets go, I'll take the cellophane wrapper and re-tighten it to a roll small enough to fit into the label and release it. It will spring open again, pushing the label fully open. I'll then study the art and notes of the label before placing it too in the ash bowl.

My ritual complete.

And all the while reading, writing, or thinking as I finish the cigar. My wife enjoys watching an episode of “British murder" or catching up on a serial on one of the streaming services while I smoke a cigar. I'll often prep for a TTRPG game with a cigar. When I was running a game, it was my game prep before the game. Now, as a player, I use it to think about my character and his place in the world and events our game referee is forging.