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How To Remove A Cigar Band Without Damaging The Cigar
A commonly asked question in the cigar community when to remove the band. The truth is, there is no right answer; It all comes down to personal preference.
Some people who smoke at cigar bars may remove the band as a sign of etiquette, as to not flaunt the expensive cigar they are smoking. Others like the tactile feeling of the cigar's wrapper and oils on their fingers.
Others prefer to keep the band on during their smoking experience until the ember and ash begin to singe it. Some people keep the band on as a way of signaling to other cigar enthusiasts what they are smoking, as a sign of brand loyalty and to protect their fingers from the oils on the cigar's wrapper.How To Remove A Cigar Band:
When you are ready to remove your cigar band, gently twist it from side to side. If the band moves, it can be removed. If it does not, try again after a few more puffs. The heat from the cigar will warm up the glue holding the cigar band together, making it easier to remove.
Cigar manufacturers use a vegetable glue called pectin. It is a food-grade, non-toxic adhesive similar to what you would find on the back of envelopes or in jam. It loses its stickiness once it warms up.
If the cigar band is very loose, it can slide right off the cigar. If it does not, slide a fingernail under a corner of the band and carefully peel it off. Avoid tearing the band off like you would a Band-Aid as this can damage the cigar.
Cigar Etiquette Tip: Once you have removed your cigar band, do not place it in the ashtray, crumple it or burn it. This is considered to be very rude, especially if someone gave you the cigar. Instead, place it beside the ashtray or put it in your pocket. If you wish to dispose of it, do it at a later time.
How To Remove A Cedar Sleeve:
Some cigars may come with a thin strip of cedar wrapped around it. These sleeves are usually held in place with a small piece of tape or a tiny dab of cigar glue. To remove it, gently pull it off from the foot side of the cigar. If it does not want to come off, give it a small twist from side to side to loosen it.
Can You Smoke A Cigar Band?
No, you generally cannot smoke a cigar band. Cigar bands are made from paper or foil and ink. These ingredients may contain (or be treated with) toxic chemicals that could harm you if heated. It will also alter the taste of your cigar, ruining your experience.
The exception to this rule is the Leaf series by Oscar Valladeres which contains a cigar band made from tobacco leaf. The brand claims that these bands can be smoked, but many reviewers say it has very little flavour or tastes like wet grass.
What Does A Cigar Band Do?
Many cigars have at least one band on them. Some may have a secondary band below the primary band and some may even have a foot band. Cigar bands have a variety of functions, including:
Brand Recognition And Cigar Identification
Cigar companies use bands for brand recognition and to help easily identify their cigars. Cigar bands will, at minimum, include the brands name and variety of cigar. Often times it will also include the country of origin, tobacco varietals, year of production and if it is a special or limited edition.
Authenticity
Brands like Cohiba and Padron incorporate different features on their bands to help combat counterfeits. Cohiba uses holographic security seals and embossing while Padron prints a secondary label under the primary one with a serial number that can be check for authenticity.
Cigar Buying Tip: NEVER buy cigars that come in a glass-top box. Or from someone selling cigars on the beach or that guy on a street corner in Cuba claiming their cousin works for Montecristo. Always buy your cigars from reputable retailers.
Protects The Cigar From Physical Damage
Some cigars have a foot band. This band is placed at the end of the cigar that you light (the 'foot'). It prevents the wrapper from fraying and cracking during shipping and handling. These bands also protect the cigar if it is dropped.
If a cigar is not stored properly, a small crack can form at the foot. This crack can spread along the entire length of the cigar, ruining the experience and enjoyment.
Prevents The Cigar From Unraveling
As the cigar is smoked, the heat from the flame and ember will cause it to expand. This can create stress points if the cigar was not stored properly. These stress points can very easily lead to crack and splits along the cigar.
A cigar band can help mitigate this by constricting the cigar, preventing the crack or split from going past the band.
Protects Your Hands From Stains
The wrapper leaf of a cigar contains oils and resins. These oils and resins help give the cigar flavour, but they can also stain your fingers. To protect your fingers against stains, hold the cigar by the band. Once you remove the band, you can use a nubber to hold the cigar until you are done.
Summary
There is no right or wrong time to take the band off of your cigar. No one will chastise you if you remove it sooner than they do. Just remember to follow the steps we laid out in this article so you don't accidentally damage your cigar.
Want to learn more about cigars? Check out these helpful articles:
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