Can You Put Out A Cigar For Later
Can You Put Out A Cigar For Later
Every cigar enthusiast has faced the dilemma: you have just lit a premium, hand-rolled stick, and something urgent pulls you away. Whether it is a surprise visit from a neighbor or a sudden change in plans, the question is inevitable: Can You Put Out A Cigar For Later? While the purists might shudder at the thought of relighting a half-smoked vitola, the practical reality is that yes, you can save a cigar for another session. However, doing so successfully requires a specific set of techniques to prevent the tobacco from turning bitter, acrid, or smelling like an old campfire. Understanding the chemistry of a burning cigar and how to preserve its remaining flavors is the key to turning a potential waste into a second enjoyable experience.
The Golden Rule: Let It Die Naturally
The most important step in saving a cigar for later happens at the moment you decide to stop smoking. Unlike cigarettes, which are often stubbed out aggressively, a cigar should never be crushed. When you stub a cigar into an ashtray, you break the delicate leaves of the wrapper, binder, and filler. More importantly, crushing the cherry forces stale smoke and tar back into the body of the cigar, which immediately ruins the flavor profile of the unburnt tobacco. This action creates a foul, lingering odor that is nearly impossible to remove.
To properly extinguish a cigar you intend to finish later, simply set it down in the stirrup of your ashtray. Without regular puffs to provide oxygen, the ember will naturally fade and go out within two to five minutes. This "dignified death" preserves the structural integrity of the cigar and minimizes the amount of carbon and ash that gets trapped within the leaves. If you are in a rush, some enthusiasts suggest a "cigar snuffer," which is a small metal tool that deprives the foot of oxygen without the need for crushing, but the ashtray method remains the standard for maintaining quality.
Preparation and Cleaning Before Storage
Once the cigar is completely cold to the touch, you cannot simply toss it into a drawer. The tars and oils released during the first half of the smoke have already begun to settle. To give yourself the best chance at a decent second smoke, you must perform a bit of surgery. Take a sharp cigar cutter and remove about half an inch of the cigar behind the burn line. You want to cut away all the charred tobacco and ash until you see fresh, unburnt leaves. This removes the primary source of bitterness.
After cutting, many experts recommend "purging" the cigar. Before you store it, blow gently through the head (the end you mouth) to expel any remaining stale smoke trapped in the cylinder. This helps clear out the acrid aromas that develop as the cigar cools. By removing the burnt foot and purging the body, you significantly reduce the "stale" taste that relit cigars are known for. Remember that even with these steps, the cigar will never taste exactly like it did when it was first lit, but these precautions mitigate the worst of the flavor degradation.
| Aspect | Comparison: Immediate vs. Saved Smoke |
|---|---|
| Flavor Profile | Full spectrum of nuanced notes vs. slightly muted, more robust/harsher notes. |
| Aroma | Fragrant and complex vs. potentially ashy or stale if not purged. |
| Burn Quality | Consistent and even vs. requires careful relighting and potential touch-ups. |
| Economic Value | Standard cost per hour vs. maximized value by not wasting premium tobacco. |
Storage Solutions: The Quarantine Method
Where you put your half-smoked cigar is just as important as how you put it out. There is one absolute rule in the cigar world: Never put a smoked cigar back into your humidor. The smell of a previously lit cigar is incredibly invasive. If you place a half-smoked stick inside a humidor with your fresh collection, the ashy, smoky odor will permeate your cedar lining and ruin every other cigar you own. This is often referred to as "infecting" your stash.
Instead, treat the saved cigar as if it is in quarantine. Use a small plastic zip-seal bag, a specialized cigar tube, or even the original cellophane wrapper if you still have it. The goal is to keep it separate from other tobacco while providing some minimal protection from the air. While airtight storage is usually preferred for fresh cigars, for a half-smoked one, some breathability can actually prevent the stale smoke smells from becoming too concentrated. Store this "quarantine" bag at room temperature in a cool, dark place. Do not worry about humidity as much for a saved stick; you are only keeping it for a short duration anyway.
The Relighting Process: Patience is Key
When you are ready to finish your cigar, do not just put a flame to it and start puffing. The relighting process requires a gentle touch. Start by gently tapping off any loose ash that might have formed after your initial cut. Use a butane torch or a soft flame to toast the foot of the cigar, rotating it slowly to ensure the entire surface is warm before you take a draw. This "pre-heating" helps the oils in the tobacco to reactivate.
As you take your first puffs, it is a common practice to blow out through the cigar while applying the flame to the foot for a second or two. This is a final purge to ensure that any old residue is incinerated and blown away rather than being pulled into your mouth. Be prepared for the first few draws to be a bit stronger or sharper than the initial session. Usually, after a minute or two of slow smoking, the cigar will settle into a flavor profile that, while different, is still quite enjoyable for a casual session.
Timing and Expectations
How long can you actually wait? Most aficionados agree that the ideal window for relighting a cigar is within 24 to 48 hours. Beyond two days, the chemical changes in the tobacco and the loss of essential oils make the smoke significantly less pleasant. If a cigar has been sitting for a week, it is likely better to simply discard it and start fresh. Furthermore, thinner ring gauge cigars (like lanceros or coronas) tend to fare worse than thicker ones (like robustos or toros) because there is less surface area to insulate the core tobacco from the environment.
FAQ about Can You Put Out A Cigar For Later
Is it safe to relight a cigar the next day?
Yes, it is perfectly safe. Unlike food, tobacco does not spoil in a way that becomes dangerous over 24 hours. However, the taste will definitely change. As long as you have cut off the burnt end and stored it away from your main humidor, the only risk is a less-than-perfect flavor experience.
Why does my relit cigar taste so bitter?
Bitterness in a relit cigar is usually caused by two things: failing to cut off the charred foot and failing to purge the stale smoke. Tars and resins settle in the tobacco as it cools. If you do not remove the burnt portion and blow out the old smoke, those chemicals are pulled directly into your palate, creating a harsh, bitter taste.
Can I use water to put out my cigar?
While water will certainly put out the flame, it is the worst possible choice if you intend to smoke the cigar later. Dipping a cigar in water or any liquid creates a soggy mess, ruins the wrapper, and makes the tobacco unsmokeable. Always let the cigar go out naturally in an ashtray.
Conclusion
While the purest expression of a cigar's flavor comes from a single, uninterrupted session, life often dictates otherwise. Knowing that you can put out a cigar for later allows you to enjoy premium tobacco without the stress of "wasting" a luxury item. By following the proper etiquette—letting it die naturally, cutting away the charred foot, purging the body, and keeping it in a separate quarantine—you can preserve the essence of the cigar for a second act. It may not be a 100% replica of the first light, but with these steps, you can ensure that your follow-up session remains a relaxing and flavorful experience rather than a bitter disappointment.