"what's a cigar if it is not chomped an inch or so?

Hee hee. Thanks Rick! That was my original thought. ;o)

But what the heck do I know? I was smoking them about 20 years before it was the Keewl thing to do. ;o) 

Sometimes I put a dry stick of gum in my mouth and after chewing on it a while it becomes wet and flavorless. What am I doing wrong?

Dry is definitely better. However, cigars that are fit only for doing yardwork always are better when thoroughly slobbered up.