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Last post 21 years ago by Charlie. 23 replies replies.
ash length...?
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sherlock04 Offline
#1 Posted: Wed, Oct 23 2002, 9:57 PM EST
Joined: 10-05-2002
Posts: 13
I've seen several places online suggest that a longer ash on a cigar is better for flavor. Something about keeping the draw cooler. How can that be? The air drawn through the ash hasn't reached the burning part of the cigar... how can it affect the temperature or the flavor? What do you folks say about this?
cliffie3d Offline
#2 Posted: Thu, Oct 24 2002, 4:54 AM EST
Joined: 07-17-2002
Posts: 297
I think you're right, Sherlock. How could that affect flavor at all? And hey, is anything worse than trying to get a good ash going only to have it drop down your shirt and into your lap as you are ridiculed by your friends? I've never heard this claim.
eleltea Offline
#3 Posted: Thu, Oct 24 2002, 5:01 AM EST
Joined: 03-03-2002
Posts: 4,562
The ash may somewhat reduce oxygen flow required for more rapid combustion. Longer ash is indicative of long filler and good construction.
aberdeen Offline
#4 Posted: Thu, Oct 24 2002, 6:25 AM EST
Joined: 06-11-1999
Posts: 741
I have noticed a tendency if the ash breaks off itself for the cigar to start burning uneven, but if I break the ash off that doesn't interrupt they way it burns. Also I sometimes notice that after the ash falls off, the next puff is significantly different than the last, often a bit harsh and then after a few puffs it gets better. I do believe the cigar burns a bit cooler with a longe ash, but the air you are taking in with each puff goes through the long burnt ash does it not, which you would think would make the cigar taste worse, but I haven't really asked around about these questions.
SteveS Offline
#5 Posted: Thu, Oct 24 2002, 6:40 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
I'm unable to explain my answer to this question, even to myself, but experience has tought me that the presence of the ash makes the cigar better ... it IS cooler burning and more mellow tasting and I'm never in a hurry to break that first ash off ...

Which reminds me ... is it just me, or is anyone else annoyed when they see someone else smoking a cigar and tap, tap, tapping it on the edge of an ashtray every few seconds to knock the ash off ?? I was sitting in a cigar-bar the other afternoon and chatting with a guy who walked in and sat down near me ... nice guy, and I enjoyed the conversation, but his constant tapping of his cigar against the ashtray made me want to reach out and slap his hand ...
Mr.Mean Offline
#6 Posted: Thu, Oct 24 2002, 6:43 AM EST
Joined: 05-16-2001
Posts: 3,025
I believe it is merely more caution taken when an ash gets to a certain length that causes the cigar to burn cooler, therefore eliminating harshness and overheating.
E-Chick Offline
#7 Posted: Thu, Oct 24 2002, 12:55 PM EST
Joined: 06-15-2002
Posts: 4,877
I have to concur with eleltea, Aberdeen and Steve...I always seem to have the longest ash at the cigar bar...don't know how or why...but when it falls, I usually am not happy with the next draw...
tarheel4lyf Offline
#8 Posted: Thu, Oct 24 2002, 2:11 PM EST
Joined: 09-23-2002
Posts: 2,543
Being new to the cigar scene, I think part of the fun and enjoyment is seeing just how long the ash can get before it falls off. That's probably also because I'm a youngin'
cayman2b Offline
#9 Posted: Thu, Oct 24 2002, 2:29 PM EST
Joined: 05-19-2000
Posts: 1,734
I'm DEFINETLY an assh man..
dhofer22 Offline
#10 Posted: Thu, Oct 24 2002, 3:35 PM EST
Joined: 04-14-2002
Posts: 192
I smoked a SHORT STORY last nite and the ash hung on till it hit the band it was as good looking as two HOT TWINS when your drunk.
aberdeen Offline
#11 Posted: Thu, Oct 24 2002, 7:57 PM EST
Joined: 06-11-1999
Posts: 741
why is it that CAO's especially the cameroon can never hold a long ash?
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#12 Posted: Thu, Oct 24 2002, 8:55 PM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
SteveS

i wonder if he is posting his conversion with a cigar smoker who let ash build up on the end of the cigar and who he wanted to reach out and slap on the hand to get the dirty ash off.
Claytonbahr Offline
#13 Posted: Thu, Oct 24 2002, 9:33 PM EST
Joined: 07-24-2001
Posts: 28
My favorite quote is, "An ash is not an ash unless it's in your lap." As for the CAO's, I usually get the ash about halfway, the signal of a well-made cigar.
GranpaTex Offline
#14 Posted: Fri, Oct 25 2002, 8:59 AM EST
Joined: 10-25-2002
Posts: 32
it will make for a cooler smoke, and the ash does make a difference in the taste. Back in the 1970's, way before the boom, you bought one cigar, smoked it, tried to see how long an ash you could get ( the longer the ash the better the construction) and then you might purchase a box. there weren't any magazines or internet back then, so you bought boxes very carefully. BTW, mine is longer than yours.
SteveS Offline
#15 Posted: Fri, Oct 25 2002, 9:02 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
maybe ... maybe not ...
Charlie Offline
#16 Posted: Fri, Oct 25 2002, 9:26 AM EST
Joined: 06-16-2002
Posts: 39,751
I have heard all the "Urban Legends" on the why's and why nots of Ash size and length, but really think the most important thing is the damn cigar!

Charlie
SteveS Offline
#17 Posted: Fri, Oct 25 2002, 9:37 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
I've paid no attention to any of the so-called authorities and none to urban legends ... I listen to comments made by others and compare those to my own experience ... as I said at the outset, I cannot explain this and have NO idea why it's true, but I find through my own personal experience that the presence of an ash tends to lend coolness and smoothness to a cigar ...
E-Chick Offline
#18 Posted: Fri, Oct 25 2002, 11:31 AM EST
Joined: 06-15-2002
Posts: 4,877
Just light the damned thing, would you!?
SteveS Offline
#19 Posted: Fri, Oct 25 2002, 11:38 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
what, too much fore-play?
E-Chick Offline
#20 Posted: Fri, Oct 25 2002, 11:56 AM EST
Joined: 06-15-2002
Posts: 4,877
Blushing

Isn't this about length?
Soulwound Offline
#21 Posted: Fri, Oct 25 2002, 11:59 AM EST
Joined: 02-08-2002
Posts: 24
I would think that it's just like a real fire, in that the more air it gets, the hotter it burns (kinda like the way you see those 'blowers' next to fireplaces)... The long ash restricts airflow, keeping the temp 'just right.'


Uh oh.... me thinks I've opened up a Pandora's box by saying 'blowers'. You'd think I'd know better by now.
SteveS Offline
#22 Posted: Fri, Oct 25 2002, 12:04 PM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
to say nothing of mentioning the opening of Pandora's box ... who is Pandora and what is your relationship with her?
Charlie Offline
#23 Posted: Fri, Oct 25 2002, 12:04 PM EST
Joined: 06-16-2002
Posts: 39,751
OMG, he said "blowers" as a descriptive statement regarding the length and girth of a cigar!!!!! He Maria, what about it?

Charlie

PS Better bid on Mr Cigar!!! He really blows!!!
Charlie Offline
#24 Posted: Fri, Oct 25 2002, 12:05 PM EST
Joined: 06-16-2002
Posts: 39,751
Whoops, Marla!! Sorry e-chick!

Charlie
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