cigar rituals anybody?

[MichiganM]

I posted up my ritual about 4 years ago, here it is again.
When the weather is warm, I have a very strict ritual that I follow when I'm going to light my cigar. I find it has a dramatic effect on how the cigar burns and tastes.

First, at 11:30 pm, when the kids are in bed, I strip off all of my clothes and cover my body with ashes of previously smoked cigars. This is done as a homage to the sacrifice all of the tobacco plants have made through the ages for the benefit of our earthly pleasures. Then, I face directly south, praying to the Gods of Tobacco that once roamed the Earth and settled in what we now know as Cuba. While saying these chants, I sprinkle more ashes around the yard. Then, a non cuban cigar is brought forth on a silver platter for the sacrifice. The sacrifice of the non cuban cigar is to cleanse the tobacco of all inferior varieties, thus ensuring the one, true tobacco only grown in Cuba. The sacrifice is performed with the ceremonial Swiss Army Knife cutter. Any similar, sacred cutter can be used, but punches are not suitable for this ritual.

Then, I take out my war drums and dance a dithyramb. This is an ancient Greek song sung by 50 men and boys in honor of the god Dionysus, god of fertility and wine. The dithyramb builds to a wild frenzy with chanting and drumming. At the climax of the dithyramb, the ceremonial fire is set. After a roaring blaze is achieved, the cigar chosen for this special occasion is lit at the foot. It is extremely important that the cigar is completely lit while the frenzy of the dance is at its height, or the enjoyment will be totally diminished.

Spent from the frenetic dance, I then lounge in my outdoor chair, enjoying with long, slow draws, contemplating the wonders that we know to be the flavors of a cuban cigar.

And I thought I was the only one who does that.

 

[InspektorGadget]

While at home I generally take an ashtray, cutter and lighter along with my guitar and sit on the front porch. Nice and relaxing. Recently though I've been enjoying a cigar on my ride home from work (about an hour drive) It has made the long ride home in Chicago traffic much more tolerable.

 

[BEN(SWEDEN)]

It depends but most of the time I have the urge for a special cigar and since I usualy dont smoke in the morning I have been thinking a couple of hours what I might smoke, I go to my plastidors and take out the box and go to the kitchen. I turn on the Nespresso and it takes it about a minute to warm up, during that time I open the box and smell them and pick ut the one I like. Go back with the box and then make me an espresso or a latte. I smoke in my balcony so I usualy have my cutters and lighters there and before smoking i take a minute just to relax and enjoy the moment. Then one last smell, cut the cigar and start roasting it slowly....after that......just drift away to paradise.

For me it is important to relax and enjoy the cigar. I like to take my time and appriciate what I smoke. And I always take a pic with my cell and send to my cigar buddys.

 

[Madvillain]

If it is just some cigar to smoke because the idea of smoking sounds good and I'm not to picky I'll just pick up whatever cheap one is in my humidor and not think much of it.

If I pick out a premium, I just bring everything outside pour my drink and some water. Make sure I'm not sitting out in the sun, ask that I don't be bothered and just slow down as I enjoy it

 

[jmatkins]

I posted up my ritual about 4 years ago, here it is again.
When the weather is warm, I have a very strict ritual that I follow when I'm going to light my cigar. I find it has a dramatic effect on how the cigar burns and tastes.

First, at 11:30 pm, when the kids are in bed, I strip off all of my clothes and cover my body with ashes of previously smoked cigars. This is done as a homage to the sacrifice all of the tobacco plants have made through the ages for the benefit of our earthly pleasures. Then, I face directly south, praying to the Gods of Tobacco that once roamed the Earth and settled in what we now know as Cuba. While saying these chants, I sprinkle more ashes around the yard. Then, a non cuban cigar is brought forth on a silver platter for the sacrifice. The sacrifice of the non cuban cigar is to cleanse the tobacco of all inferior varieties, thus ensuring the one, true tobacco only grown in Cuba. The sacrifice is performed with the ceremonial Swiss Army Knife cutter. Any similar, sacred cutter can be used, but punches are not suitable for this ritual.

Then, I take out my war drums and dance a dithyramb. This is an ancient Greek song sung by 50 men and boys in honor of the god Dionysus, god of fertility and wine. The dithyramb builds to a wild frenzy with chanting and drumming. At the climax of the dithyramb, the ceremonial fire is set. After a roaring blaze is achieved, the cigar chosen for this special occasion is lit at the foot. It is extremely important that the cigar is completely lit while the frenzy of the dance is at its height, or the enjoyment will be totally diminished.

Spent from the frenetic dance, I then lounge in my outdoor chair, enjoying with long, slow draws, contemplating the wonders that we know to be the flavors of a cuban cigar.

I just trying to picture you playing the war drums and dancing outside in the moonlight......I am still laughing.

 

[D Quintero]

because i smoke solo at night.
thru prayer, i make peace, give thanks, and especially reflect alot when im smoking.

 

[SuperKrishna]

I usually just grab whatever catches my eye and fire it up. If it's an LFD, they are a bit more power packed so I'll drop a 2sie before I fire it up. They sometimes get me going with all that Ligero.
Since I don't have a designated smoking area, I'll pull out the tray, lighter, cutter, drink and my phone. I guess that could be a ritual.

 

[WARDOGG]

I have a ritual of sorts.

First I select my stick for the evening festivities and possibly a secondary stick if the mood strikes me later. I let the primary stick sit and acclimate. While tit's doing that I select my scotch and grab a pepsi throwback out of the fridge. I prep my 20oz cup with ice and mix the scotch and pepsi ( I know, I know..sue me). I then select my cutter or punch, depending on what type of draw I'm in the mood for or the type of cigar. I then select my torch or wood matches, again depending on the stick.

I then prep my smoking area for optimum enjoyment. If it's outdoors on my patio I kick on the tunes and make sure the chairs and tables are arranged properly along with my outdoor cigar ashtray (it's plastic). If it's indoors then I setup my drink and ash tray near my couch and find a good movie to watch.

Once everything is set, I moisten the head of the stick, let it dry a bit. Cut it, lick the tip of my finger and dab it where the cap was removed removng any loose tobacoo bits, then torch the foot, let it rest a bit but not to long. I then light and enjoy. Once it's life force has been extinguished and if I'm not satiated, I then rest my pallete for a bit with water and maybe a non tart or salty munchie. Then I start the whole process over.


If I'm at a party or at a lounge, then its select tasty beverage, pickout stick, moisten cap, clip, dab for loose tobacco, torch foot, rest and light. Enjoy.

 

[tmoney2007]

Step one: Open Coolerdor (or walk into the humidor at my B&M)
Step two: Stare at cigars for an exorbinante amount of time (I'm sure with a stupid look on my face, imagine a mix of indecision, happiness and brain-deadness)
Step three: Pick out a cigar after waffling for longer than I should need to.
Step four: Go to my couch or one of the chairs in the B&M and sit down, grabbing an ashtray if I'm at home.
Step five: Cut cigar.
Step six: Light cigar.
Step seven: Watch tv if I'm at home or bullshit with the regulars if I am at the B&M.
Step eight: Enjoy cigar.
Step nine: Repeat if there is time.
Step ten: Get tired enough to go to sleep or get kicked out of B&M and go home.

 

[SmokeMyDog]

When I go in my humidor i basically have to look through all my cigars to find the one i want,

 

[CWS]

I hadnt really thought about it but i guess it is a ritual. I usually run and then make dinner for the wife and I before she gets home form work. My schedule is usually 6AM to 3 or 4 with calls to Europe and east coast. We have a neice dinner and talk about the day. Then its cigar time. Pick a cigar from the humi. Roll out to the lounge, put on the big screen, power up the lap top, fire up the cigar and enjoy.

 

[vivalanation734]

My cigar ritual... pick out tomorrows smoke the night before... throw it in my desktop to dry box.... snag whatever cutter/lighter combo (my friends always buy me these for gifts because they know of my addiction).... grab a good book and head to the porch.

 

[CigarRod]

I never really thought of this as a ritual, I hope most of this is common, but I tend to flip a mental coin in my mind to find out which Humi I am to pick on out of, either MONICA OR HILLARY, blindly grab a stick cut it, then gently lick it (burns better a old dude told me) toast it, then as I fire it up I rotate it as i smoke it.
Now that I typed it, looks like CIGAR PORN, but oh well. Works for me.

 

[PLUSH]

Ha, naming your Humis, how g.... Uh nice


I would pick better names, at least hot chick names.

No ritual, just when the appointed time arrives, go to my coolers and think, Hmm, Tat, no... Liga, no... Padron, no too expensive save those for later... ok, what else do I have to smoke. Pick something out, go outside and cut and light up with whichever cutter and lighter I can find that night. So, I guess that is the ritual.

 

[BGC]

Grab, cut , light and smoke.

 

[Jhard1121]

My ritual is trying not to crash my truck when I light the cigar.

 

[jjon90]

On the days I don't work OT, I usually run the Labs when I get home, fix a beverage, grab a stick and sit out front. With the DROID in hand I check the board and unwind with a smoke.

 

[Burning Man]

I use matches whenever possible and toast the wrapper a bit. It's a pain when it's windy out but I find my cigars taste much better than with a torch light. I keep the lighter around outdoors in case I have to fix an uneven burn. I know that the fuels used these days are extra clean but the match light just hits the spot.
I also have to be relaxing or doing a relaxing activity. Running around trying to nurse my cigar is no fun.:chat:

 

[The EVP]

1) Grab Cigar
2) Cut cap off
3) Light foot
4) Puff
5) Repeat #4 until done

 

[Wink]

It's kind of funny how you never really pay attention to detail when you prepare for a smoke. A few times you may just grab a quick stick, spark and puff. Since I only smoke on the weekends I tend to pick out what I plan on smoking early in the week, make sure my colibri is full, decide on punch or cut depends on the stick, I even pick what drink im going to pair it with. I have to plan how I will keep the kids busy for an hour or so. What is boils down to is the satisfaction & relaxation I will get when I have my feet kicked up, my music playing, my drink by my side.....my torch & tray. It's all worth the time I put in .:thumbsup: