Preserve Your Smoke: How To Save A Half-Smoked Cigar

Every experienced cigar smoker has had an unexpected phone call, knock at the door, or emergency they had to tend to while enjoying a cigar. Life happens. A cigar is a commitment that can take anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours depending on the size of the cigar.

So what do you do with a half-smoked cigar? Can you save it? The good news is, yes! You can save a half-smoked cigar for later. However, there are some very important steps you must follow. First, let's answer a few questions about half-smoked cigars then we will explain how to save them for later.

When Should You Save A Cigar For Later?

Ask yourself how much you value the cigar, how much you are enjoying it and if it is worth saving for later. If you have a whole 50-count box in your humidor, then it won't matter as much as a single top-shelf cigar you pulled out for a special occasion.

If you will not be able to enjoy the rest of your cigar within a couple of days, dispose of it. If you are running out for a few minutes to an hour, just leave it in your ashtray and re-light it when you get back.

Cigar Tip: Always purge your cigar before re-lighting to remove any soot, ash or smoke build-up. This will help the cigar burn more evenly and reduce bitter flavours.

How Much Of A Cigar Is Worth Saving?

There is no definitive answer on how much of a cigar you should save. Cigars come in a variety of shapes and sizes which affects their flavour and strength. A smaller, thinner cigar will burn faster than a larger cigar with a bigger ring gauge. We recommend saving a cigar only if you smoked less than half of it.

With each draw on your cigar, you pull heat and smoke across the tobacco between the ash and your lips. The tobacco closest to your lips gets the most exposure, which is why cigars typically become bitter near the end.

Will A Re-Lit Cigar Taste As Good The 2nd Time? 

Yes, a re-lit cigar will taste good the 2^nd time but only if it is smoked within a few hours of being stored. The longer it sits, the more bitter it will taste. A half-smoked cigar can be saved for a day or two, but after that it should be disposed of.

Cigars that have already been smoked can become very fragile when they are re-lit. When a cigar is lit, the heat from the flame causes the tobacco to expand. When it cools and extinguishes, the tobacco contracts. Adding heat to it again may cause the tobacco to rip and tear.

Our Step-By-Step Guide On How To Save A Half-Smoked Cigar

When saving a cigar for later it is important to follow these steps to ensure maximum flavour and enjoyment. It should be noted that a half-smoked cigar may not give you all the flavours you experienced when you first lit it up.

Let The Cigar Extinguish Itself

Let the cigar rest in your ashtray for a minimum of 15 minutes before handling it again. This will allow the ember inside to fully extinguish, making it safe to handle and store. When letting your cigar extinguish itself avoid resting it on any ash that may be in your ashtray.

Sharp pieces of ash could puncture thin wrappers, leading to an uneven burn and hot spots. Ash could also give the cigar an acrid smell and taste if it goes unnoticed.

Remove The Ash From Your Cigar

Removing the ash will prevent any soot from getting into the cigar, ruining the flavour. Once the cigar has been extinguished, use your fingers or gently roll it against the side of the ashtray to remove as much ash as possible. Inspect the cigar and gently wipe off any ash before moving on to the next step.

Do not tap or knock the cigar against anything as this may cause the wrapper leaf to crack or even damage the filler or binder.

Cut Off 1/2-3/4" Behind The Burn Line

Using a guillotine cutter or sharp straight knife, cut off at least half an inch behind the burn line (where the ash and wrapper meet). This will remove any soot that may have found its way into the cigar. Doing this creates a clean, level foot, making the cigar easier to re-light and manage a more consistent burn.

Purge Your Cigar

Purging is a very simple process where you gently blow through the cigar. Purging helps reduce any heat, smoke and ash buildup that occurred during your smoking experience. It is a good idea to purge your cigar at least twice before storing it.

Properly Store Your Half-Smoked Cigar

Once you have made your cut, store your cigar in an air-tight container or a sealed Ziploc bag with all the air removed. You can add a small humidification device, like a Boveda pack, if you have any extras laying around. Humidification packs are not necessary, but it can prevent your cigar from drying out.

Place your half-smoked cigar in a cool, dark area like a drawer or cupboard until you are ready to smoke it again. Do not put your cigar in the freezer as the sudden cold, dry air will shock the tobacco, drying it out and damaging the leaves.

Do not place your half-smoked cigar back in a humidor. The smell of burnt ash and any extra soot may linger and get absorbed into your other sticks and cedar. One way of ensuring your cigars do not take on any aromas is to keep them in their cellophane wrappers.

When It's Time To Re-Light, Purge Once More

When you are ready to re-light your cigar, check for any visual damage like cracks in the wrapper. Inspect both the head and foot for any tar buildup that may have occurred. Then purge your cigar once more.

If you notice resistance in the cigar while purging, gently roll it between your fingers to loosen up the tobacco. If that does not work, use a cigar draw tool to bore a hole through the middle of the cigar. If you do not have a cigar draw tool a long toothpick or straightened paperclip will work in a pinch.

Re-Light And Enjoy!

Once your cigar has passed your inspection, it is good to re-light. Just like a full-sized cigar, be sure to properly toast your cigar to ensure an even burn and maximum flavours.

You should not encounter any problems with your cigar if you followed these steps correctly.

Summary

Time isn't exactly on your side when saving a cigar, but with proper care and attention, your half-smoked cigar will be just as enjoyable as the first time you lit it up. Be sure to bookmark this article and refer to it when you have to store a half-smoked cigar for later!

Did you enjoy this article? Learn something new? Share it with a friend and follow Esteemed Gentleman on social media to stay up to date with new articles and posts!

Links:

Facebook

Instagram

Don't forget to sign up below to stay up to date on new articles and reviews we publish!