Practical 7

SERVICE OF CIGARS
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED: Cigar cutters, lighter, humidor with cigars. PROCEDURE: 1. Present the cigar menu to the guest. 2. Place an ashtray on the table. 3. The next step involves presentation of the cigars to the guest using a portable humidor. 2. Knowledge about the cigars is a must for the waiter. Ask the guest his preference and suggest cigars accordingly. 3. If the guest so desires, remove the ring around the cigar. 4. The next step involved in preparing a cigar for use is to open a passage way allowing air to circulate from one end to the other. Most cigar connoisseurs however use specialized clippers that provide a clean, manicured cut. (refer to cuts of cigars) 5. If a cutter is used, the incision should be made quickly and decisively. The cutter should be placed just above the cigar's cap line (the curved area that covers the head of the cigar) and clipped in one swift motion. This produces a clean cut which is desirable for smoking a cigar. 6. Once the cigar has been clipped using the smokers preferred method, it is ready to be lit. 7. The preferred method to light a cigar is the use of butane based lighter. A lit wooden match can be used once it has burned off the chemicals used in the ignition process. hold the open end of the cigar over your ame and slowly rotate it. This will "Toast" the cigar and prime it for lighting. 8. While it is still warm, hand over the cigar to the guest and hold the ame at an angle. Allow the guest to slowly puff and rotate the cigar while maintaining slight contact with the ame. A Culebra (Left) and a Presidente cigar A good cigar will light (right) easy and burn evenly.

The Humidor
A humidor is, quite simply, a storage container designed to allow controlled air ow and equipped with a device that maintains the internal humidity in the range of 70 to 75 percent; its internal temperature should be maintained in a narrow range of about 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The purpose of a humidor is to keep your cigars at their peak "smokability". The most crucial characteristic of a ne humidor is that it can provide a constant environment of about 68' to 70' F and 70-72% humidity. It doesn't really need to be fancy, but it does need to be functional.

CIGAR SHAPES
Parejos Parejos are straight-sided cigars; most have an open foot for lighting and need to be cut before smoking. They may be either round or box-pressed, meaning that the sides of the cigar were pressed square prior to packing or, in some cases, by pressure in the box. Torpedo Although many companies include cigars called torpedos in their portfolios, the cigars are often pyramids. A true torpedo is a rare cigar today, a smoke with a closed

foot, a head tapered to a point, and a bulge in the middle. Pyramid Pyramids are cigars with cut feet, like parejos, but with heads tapered to a point. Perfecto Like the torpedo, the perfecto has a closed foot and a bulge in the middle. Unlike torpedos, though, the head of a perfecto is rounded like the head of a parejo.

CIGAR SIZES (Beverage Book)

1. Corona: 14.5 cm with a round top 2. Petite Corona: 13 cm with a round top 3. Tres Petite Corona: 11.5 cm 4. Half Corona: 9.5 cm 5. Lonsdale: as Corona but 16.5 cm in length 6. Idealess: torpedo shaped, about 16.5 cm in length 7. Londres: straight cigar , 12 cm in length 8. Panatella: long and thin and open at both ends, 12.5 cm in length 9. Stumpen: stubbier than a Panatella but slightly tapered, open at both ends. 10.Whiff: usually small and open at both ends, about 8.9 cm in length.

TYPES OF CUTS
The Guillotine or Traditional Cut: This cutter takes a straight slice across the cigars cap line. It is the best cut to create an easy, well circulated draw; however residue and tar from the burning tobacco will come in direct contact with the smoker's mouth.

The Bullet or the Punch Cut: A bullet cutter pierces a small hole into the cigars cap. Depending on the diameter of the cutter, air circulation may be restricted and the smokes tar and residue can accumulate around the opening.

The V cut: The V cutter creates a wedge shaped notice in the cigars cap. This cut allows proper air circulation to occur. The smokes tar and residue accumulate on the sides of the wedge keeping the bitter taste away from the smoker's mouth.

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