Ignite: A CigarKevin Hoytkhoyt@adobe.com

Ignite: A Cigar๏ Kevin Hoyt

- khoyt@adobe.com- http://blog.kevinhoyt.org- Twitter: parkerkrhoyt- Brightkite: khoyt- AIM, YIM: parkerkrhoyt

๏ Platform Evangelist, Adobe Systems, Inc.

๏ Flash, Flex, Ajax, Adobe AIR

๏ ColdFusion, LiveCycle, BlazeDS

Introduction to Cigars๏ A woman is only a woman, but a cigar is a

smoke. - Rudyard Kipling

๏ Very much like computer software- Complex- Intimidating

๏ Low tolerance in today’s political climate

๏ Cigars as an item of luxury and distinction

What You’ll Need๏ Handmade cigar ($3 to $15)

๏ Wooden matches or butane lighter ($1)

๏ Guillotine clipper ($2)

๏ Ashtray

๏ About 20 to 45 minutes

Anatomy of a Cigar๏ Filler: Where the flavor comes from

๏ Binder: Holds it together

๏ Wrapper: Gives the look and feel

๏ Cap: The part you put in your mouth

๏ Foot: The part you light

Lighting a Cigar๏ Toasting, lighting the outer layers

๏ Hold a heat source at the foot and rotate the cigar

๏ Wrapper and binder will have a white ashen appearance

๏ At a 45 degree angle in your mouth, draw in the flame and air

๏ A flame should appear when you release the draw indicating a lit cigar

Smoking a Cigar๏ Let cigar rest after lighting

๏ A cigar is not a cigarette- Do not inhale the smoke into your lungs- Needs your draw to keep it lit

๏ Once or twice a minute will do it

๏ Too often will result in bitter taste

๏ Let ash fall off naturally

๏ Not necessary to smoke to the nub

Wrapper Leaves๏ Candela: Fluke cured, green hue, bland

๏ Claro: Shade grown, tan, oily sheen, silky

๏ Colorado Claro: Reddish hue, flavorful

๏ Colorado: More red, very shiny, attractive

๏ Maduro: Dark brown, sweet, intense flavor

๏ Double Maduro: Rich, pronounced spice

Size Does Matter๏ Ring gauge: 1/64th of an inch

- 64 ring = 1 inch in diameter- 32 ring = 1/2 inch in diameter- Most cigars fall in between 38 and 50 ring

๏ Ring gauge, not length, impacts taste- A larger ring will produce cooler smoke- Any length cigar can be left to cool (rest)

๏ More to do with feel and preference

๏ Tony Soprano? Hannibal (A-Team)?

Popular Lengths๏ Corona: 5 1/2”, 42 ring, 45 minutes

๏ Lonsdale: 6”, 43 ring, 50 minutes

๏ Robusto: 5”, 50 ring, 40 minutes

๏ Panatela: 7”, 40 ring, 45 minutes

๏ Double Corona: 8”, 50 ring, 60 minutes

๏ Churchill: 7”, 49 ring, 60 minutes

๏ Presidente: 8 1/2”, 52 ring, 90 minutes

Is This a Strong Cigar?๏ Very mild to mild (Macanudo)

๏ Mild to medium mild (Romeo y Julieta)

๏ Medium to medium full (H. Upmann)

๏ Full bodied (Butera, Punch)

๏ Very full bodied (JR Ultimate)

๏ Full bodied, heavy, but never “strong”- Strong indicates harsh and undesirable- Improper curing can nauseate anybody

Construction๏ Delivered and aged in large, square bales

๏ Awakened with 95 percent humidity sauna bath for up to 24 hours

๏ Sorting, grading and color classification

๏ Filler bunching in accordion fashion or concentric circles

๏ Bonding with a thick, tough binder leaf

๏ Pressed into form, wrapped and capped

A Short History of Cigars๏ American natives from the Incans to Inuits

used tobacco in a harsh form

๏ The origins of the word “tobacco” are unknown, though probably Spanish from “tobago” or “pipe”

๏ “Cigar” likely coined circa 1492 when Europeans landed on Hispanola from Spanish “cigarrel” meaning “orchard”

๏ Circa 1500, Spaniards apply their wine fermenting skills to tobacco

Caring for Your Cigars๏ Humidor: A self-contained tropical

environment for cigars- Humidor products range from travel, to

tabletop, to vaults to walk-in closets- Zip-lock bags, or sealable plastic containers

will do with care

๏ Humidification elements are generally floral foam incased plastic/metal housing

๏ The golden rule: 70 degrees & 70 percent humidity

Enhancing Your Enjoyment๏ Mild cigars in the morning, medium in the

afternoon, full bodied in the evening

๏ A variety of beverages go well with cigars- A red wine (especially from Spain)- Generally an ale goes better with a cigar

than a lager- Fortified wine such as sherry or port- Brandy, cognac, scotch, bourbon

๏ Respect the non-smokers around you

Ignite: A CigarKevin Hoytkhoyt@adobe.com