When do you take the band off? Before you light up, before the band burns or somewhere in between? What about those cigars that have more than 1 band. Do you remove them in stages or just burn through them LOL.Barry

I just take it off when I have to, like just before the band catches fire, since that smoke doesnt taste good. Sometimes the band sticks to the wrapper a bit and will tear if you pull it off. You might nick it with a fingernail trying to dig under it. Why take the chance? They smoke great with em on, and maybe itll keep your fingers from turning yellow.

In have always been told that leaving the band on is in bad taste. Have known people to put a high dollar band on a dog rocket, and position it so that it can be seen, the lettering etc. for others to see. Who really cares, if they wan to know they can always ask.

I like to remove it asap, else I end up smokin it :-)

Head

Maybe by putting a high dollar band on a dog rocket, you can fool yourself into thinking that you're smoking a high dollar dog rocket. I do know that if you take the cedar sleeve that some cigars come with and put it on a dog rocket and leave it there while smoking, it improves the taste.LOL Shame on people that smoke cigars (brands)just to impress someone else. I agree with eleltea that sometimes removing the band damages the wrapper so I leave it on untill the cigar softens up, then I peel it off. Barry

I agree with BMW. If you let the cigar warm up it seems to soften the glue attaching the band. You can then remove it without tearing the wrapper. I leave on any band I enjoy looking at. 5-vegas and Cupido are nice.

... just keep in mind ... it's always more fun to have sex with your clothes on ....

I usually leave the band on until I am just about done with the cigar (or it is in danger of catching on fire-whichever comes first). I think that a cigar looks naked without the band. Plus most of the cigars that I like have cool bands that I enjoy looking at (Cupido, Indian Tabac, Bolivar, Padron Anniversario).
However, I even leave the bands on those smokes that have the ugliest bands (Diesel, CAO gold, Puros Indios).

Most cigars I leave the band on till it's time has come. In the case of La Perla Maduro's band. I take the "Maduro" band off inside because it's usually on there pretty good and I need light to see what the hell I'm doing. I am a garage smoker, lights out. Scares the old women in the neighborhood to see a smokey figure in a darkened garage. When they walk by, I scream "hootie hoot! hootie hoot!"

I leave the band on....unless a football game is on, then I watch TV.

Hey Ed, don't you have a bench grinder? Sharpening garden tools in the dark can make the neighbors talk for sure.

Hey bud451, if you smoke the larger ring gauges do you get "Big Band" music? I know Curly used to love listening to the "Band" LOL Barry

I take it off right away. Then if I like the cigar the band goes in my good cigar box. That way it is easier to remember what I like. I really like Drew Estate Naturals and their cigar band are like a regular band with another large band under it. The larger band is like 2 1/2". So I would only get 1/2 way before I'd have to take it off anyway.

I take the band off of box pressed cigars: they tend to expand when smoked, and if you wait too long to take the band off, it will choke the cigar. The only problem is, by pulling the band off, you sometimes tear the wrapper.

What a collection of reasons to leave it on and take it off! Do not want to risk tearing wrapper so I leave it on until heat loosens the thing then remove it! On some of the "johns" or dog rockets, the glue would probably add to and enhance the "flavors" and improve them!!!!!!!!!!!! Charlie

Charlie, I agree. Sometimes I think adding 4 or 5 more bands to a dog rocket does actully improve the flavor and the burn is much mor exciting! Barry

I'm bringing the bench grinder out of the basement now. Thanks for the idea Bud! You know, a machete doesn't stay sharp on it's own!

Yes sir, that episode of the Stooges came to mind when I posted, woouub wooouub woooouub

the easiest way to remove the band is to soak the cigar in water up to the band. put in the sun to dry. you will never tear the wrapper again. besides the wrapper is much overated. i usually peal it of and smoke with the binder only. i want tobacco, not flavor. also, this way, most of the cigars taste the same.

Hmmm. I will have to try that, thanks Rick.