I know this is a silly question, but I thought it might be useful for the records. I was gifted two Gurka Centurian XX for Christmas and I was wondering if you are supposed to clip perfectos? The draw on it is just fine as it is and since it appears to be rolled and ready to go, I kind of figure that's why it's called a perfecto. So please let help me out, thanks.

Rodnie

The Centurian is rolled in a manner that allows you to receive a nice draw without cutting the cigar. Not all perfectos are rolled in this fashion. Either way, I clip the head. I'd recommend that you do the same. A smaller hole can result in a bitter or harsh ending, as the tars will build up around the head as the cigar burns. The Centurian burns slow and is too fine a smoke to be spoiled by a rotten ending.

My 2 cents.........

The other Steve is quite correct in that there is a large difference in the way perfectos are capped. Even the word "perfecto" doesn't have 100% consensus in its meaning to makers.

I caution, however, when clipping a true perfecto, be very conservative or you may discover that your cigar wrapper begins to unwind at the head. If you don't clip at all, and the cigar is even slightly high in RH, you'll find that the cigar smokes hot and bitter, and a nasty mass will accumulate around the cap.

All you really want to do is remove sufficient wrapper so your cap opening would be about the size of a punch cut.

Regarding all shapes...I am often surprised at how large a cut is taken when others cut their cigars. I see people taking a quarter inch off a cigar and then wondering why it unravels.

"see people taking a quarter inch off a cigar and then wondering why it unravels"

One doesn't know whether to laugh or cry...

Hey guys, thanks for answering my question. Now I'l enjoy these XX Centurians the right way.

This is the only one of this shape I've had that you can smoke without clipping. I did find that nipping just a little off works a good bit better though,

I guess I've had the Legend, not the XX, but I imagine it is the same way.

Something I read in another thread concerning chisels is to use a small punch to open an additional hole may work.

I always inspect the cap and see how much area the cap covers and clip off all but 1/8in. This allows for a good draw and limits the tar build up. X

Thanks guys, You probably saved me from another bad experience with the Double X. The first one I smoked on New Years Eve did wind up with a big enough tar build up to severely restrict air flow and make it taste quite bad. It was a great cigar up to about the 2/3 point when the above mentioned happened, then YUCK it turned into a nasty mess! Oh well I guess you live and you learn. Thanks aqgain....Later....Erik