Cut Cigars in 1/2?

[njstone]

Okay, I'm a noob so feel free to destroy me if the question is retarded:

Can you cut cigars in half and still smoke them? I.E. if I cut a double corona in half will I end up with two 3" cigars or one cigar and a hand full of loose tobacco?

I ask because it's nearly too cold for me to smoke even a robusto, and although I have a lot of small smokes and am trying to trade for more (see post: http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=22116&highlight=small+smokes) many of my favorite don't come in miniature size (and I'm way to cheap to only smoke 2 inches or so of a nice cigar). So I'm wondering if I were to cut an RP Fusion Lancero in half, would I get two smokes out of the deal?

Thanks gang, and sorry if this is a stupid question :innocent:

[Cyrann]

First I would submit the following:

Illusione - 68 -
Illusione - MK -
Tatuaje Brown Petites
Cabaiguan Petites

I think that cutting a cigar in half is detrimental to the overall complexity, depth, and intended delivery of said cigar. While some rolling methods and sizes incorporate folding filler leaves back into the bunch and then bound, larger cigars in my mind should be kept whole and smoked that way (short explanation).

[CWS]

I have done it with Holt Fumadores, a Pepin blended short filler. I hate to do it to a good cigar.

[njstone]

Okay, so I won't try it on good sticks. I have some large 2nds that would make good test subjects.

But do you think it will actually work?

[Cyrann]

Okay, so I won't try it on good sticks. I have some large 2nds that would make good test subjects.

But do you think it will actually work?

What is your definition of work?

I know a guy at my local B&M that just clips off the burning end of a cigar and saves the rest for later... he seems to still be alive?

I have a guy at my local B&M cut AVO #2 Tubos in half because they love them, yet can't smoke them on their budget.

I think you must take into account multiple things; (1) How refined is your palate, (2) what stick are you going to chop in half, (3) have you tried it yet?

[Craig Mac]

It would pain me to do it, save those for another ocassion, and order a few of the above and proceeding(I'm sure there will be a few more suggestions) shorter/smaller smokes.

[njstone]

What is your definition of work?

I know a guy at my local B&M that just clips off the burning end of a cigar and saves the rest for later... he seems to still be alive?

I have a guy at my local B&M cut AVO #2 Tubos in half because they love them, yet can't smoke them on their budget.

I think you must take into account multiple things; (1) How refined is your palate, (2) what stick are you going to chop in half, (3) have you tried it yet?

(1) Noobish
(2) Let's say La Aurora 2nd (7.5 x 50)
(3) I have smoked this stick before, yes

I know that it won't kill me, what I'm wondering is whether or not the sticks will fall apart or something, and if they will taste decent. If I chopped up a 1/3-1/3-1/3 type stick then I could see things being a bit unusual. But if I'm just trying it with a mild-medium stick, maybe it won't matter?

As far as buying more small smokes--I'd love to, but it's a money issue. Right now I need to be selling some cigars, not buying more. Though I would love to get some of those Petite Tats if anyone wants to trade...

[_Lac_Man_]

There's a uy who comes into one of my local B&Ms and buys a cigar (can't remember which one, but it's pricey) and cuts it in half because it's not available in a smaller size and he only likes to smoke for something like 15 minutes at a time.

I personally think it's butchering a cigar. I'd layer on the clothes and put up with it, or find a B&M close to you that is open late - one near me is open until 9pm. Maybe invest in one of those outdoor heaters.

[keenween]

if you try it and it works...why not? its just rolled up tobacco. :king:

[weskimad]

I always thought it was important to clip the cigar below the cap to prevent it from unraveling. If that's the case I'd suspect that the half without the cap would be in trouble.

Perhaps I"m lucky, but I've never had a cigar unravel on me.

[Trumpetchris]

Get some vegetable gum, (I think stores carry it with canning supplies), it's the same stuff they use to glue the cap down. Use that to attach the wrapper on the cut half. I think that would work fine, especially if you smoke the bottom half first.

[daniyal]

Not some thing I would do or recommend but I think the top half would start to unravel then again nothing a bit of corn starch mixed in water can't fix..

[Zen Cigar Man]

A lot of the flavor you get from quality cigars happens with the act of smoking it. The heat and the tar released changes the flavor and adds complexity. To me you are just selling a cigar short. I wouldn't even smoke a second, let alone cut it in half. Just buy smaller cigars. try petite coronas and even cigarillos. There are great small sticks out there.

[jmatkins]

I have done it on cigars that were not too pricey, I do sometimes run into wrapper coming undone. Good luck

[terrantheman]

I've done it and just make sure you use a very sharp cutting device and all should be good to go... The cigar is not nearly as good but sometime a cigar is just a cigar, right?

[Headbanger]

Buy smaller sticks and save the longer ones until the weather is nicer is what I do. Letting the larger ones age during the winter will also help them develop. By cutting the longer/larger sticks in half will not prevent you from smoking them. However they are rolled and blended to smoke the entire stick and the progression of flavor builds as you go. By cutting the stick and smoking them separatly you are cutting short some of the experience.

[oneaday]

You'll be fine, yeah the damn thing might start to unravel, lick it. Yeah it won't have all the subtle flavors that it normally would, I gather it's to f'n cold to smoke enough to get subtle anyway, so "F" subtle. Cut that mother in half and get back to us with your impressions.

I'm cuttin a Short in half for the trip to work , anybody want the foot half?

[somarc]

It depends on the cigar for me...

I would cut a short filler cigar or bundle in a heart beat if it was too long. It's better than a re-light. For a high dollar stick I wouldn't do it unless it's not pulling correctly.

[dpricenator]

LOL @ Ken's comment

I had to cut a Really nice Cuban in half the other day. iit was plugged and I could feel it about 1.5 inches from the foot. it was #1 sized so I cut it in half and smoked the top end first. and left the boootom end in the ashtray outside. The next morning I grabed the other half and the dry air our side had released the plug and the bottom half smoked just fine.


Oh yeah and I've acctually cut a smoke in half and shared it with someone. As long as it something you know you won't miss i.e. had it before and don't just have to save it for the whole experience, or if you have plenty more of them.

[njstone]

You'll be fine, yeah the damn thing might start to unravel, lick it. Yeah it won't have all the subtle flavors that it normally would, I gather it's to f'n cold to smoke enough to get subtle anyway, so "F" subtle. Cut that mother in half and get back to us with your impressions.

I'm cuttin a Short in half for the trip to work , anybody want the foot half?


By far my favorite comment
:grinFU:

Thanks for all the suggestions, gang. I think I'll try it with a cheap stick sometime soon and get back to you.

--Nate

[Jetexas]

I am guilty on occasion. Usually it's because I am with a friend who does not have a smoke or smoked already and just want to split.

[oneaday]

I am guilty on occasion. Usually it's because I am with a friend who does not have a smoke or smoked already and just want to split.


Hey Scott it's all good as you don't cut em long ways.

[Jetexas]

LOL - Hey Ken, Thanks for spilling my secret to the whole group!

Hey Scott it's all good as you don't cut em long ways.

[Mitch]

I tend to feel that the first inch of a cigar is often not as good as "once it gets going" and the last inch and a half can get bitter. So if you take a 6 inch cigar that has a sweet spot of 3 1/2 inches, you may just end up with two cigars with a sweet spot of 1/2 inch. So a one hour cigar may get you two 15 minute cigars when cut in half.

I know that on many cigar blends they change the bled for each vitola, and I'm guessing it is for good reason.