How To Use A Cigar Cutter 101 Guide

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Cigar cutters do exactly what they say they do – they cut cigars. Simple, right? But knowing how to use one properly can be tricky. There are several different types of cigar cutters, each with its own set of instructions and quirks. To get the most out of your cutter, you need to know how to hold it and which direction to turn it or angle it in order to get the cleanest cut possible.

Given the rich history, culture, and enjoyment that comes from smoking a fine cigar, you want to make sure your experience is everything it can possibly be. Learning how to use a cigar cutter sets you up for success. Researching the different types available and what they mean gives you an advantage as you purchase one that’s right for your preferences and style.

Types of Cigar Cutters

The first step to enjoying your cigar is to use a cigar cutter. Cigar cutters range in shape, size, style, and function. The three most important characteristics of any cigar cutter are sharpness, a clean cut, and durability. There are several different types of cigar cutters on the market, and each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.

There are three primary types of cigar cutters: Guillotine, V-cut, and punch/bullet. Each tool will produce different results. Understanding how each type of cutter works is important for selecting which one best fits your needs. 

Make sure you choose wisely, as it will be one of your most important tools if you decide to start collecting cigars. 

Guillotine

 As a general rule, guillotine-style cutters have been considered standard and more affordable than other styles. Guillotine cigar cutters are typically made from stainless steel and feature a single blade or two blades that cut off the end of the cigar with a single slice. These are the most popular because they are inexpensive, easy to use and maintain, and can be found in most cigar shops or online stores.

Punch/Bullet

Punch cigar cutters, or also known as Bullet cigar cutters feature a small hole at one end through which you push out a small circular portion of tobacco until you’ve created a perfectly round opening to allow smoke through.

V- Cutter 

V-cutters work by slicing off both sides of the cap simultaneously in order to create “V” style  opening large enough for smoking purposes without damaging any part of the wrapper itself. This allows an opening larger than what a Punch/Bullet cutter can make, but a smaller opening option compared to cutting the entire cap off the cigar.Your personal preference will dictate which type of cutter you ultimately choose. All styles serve their purpose. Each cutter has its own method of cutting a cigar. With some trial and error, you’ll find what works best for you.

Steps To Using a Cigar Cutter

Cutting your cigar correctly is a key part of the smoking experience, and it’s one that can make or break your entire session.However, if you’ve never used a cigar cutter before, it can be difficult to know where to start. 

Cigar cutters are an essential tool for any serious cigar enthusiast. They allow you to easily and safely cut your cigars, which means you can enjoy them in a matter of minutes.

We’ve gathered some of the best tips on how to cut your cigar correctly, so you can enjoy every last puff.

3 Steps to Cut Your Cigar Correctly: 

  1. Locate the Cap

First, locate the cap on your cigar. This will be the end of your cigar that was completely closed off with tobacco.

  1. Position Blades on Cigar

Once you’ve found the cap, position your cutter depending on the style cutter in use.. The blade should be perpendicular to the cap; this will ensure that you get a clean cut without damaging any tobacco leaves or cutting too far down, past the cap of the cigar which could cause the outer wrapper leaf to unravel.

  1. Cut Swiftly

Now that everything is in place, cut swiftly! Remember, do not cut past the cap of the cigar never cut below this mark, or else you’ll risk damaging the wrapper or the entire cigar. 

Can you cut a cigar without a cigar cutter?

Yes, it is possible to cut your cigar without using a traditional tool such as a guillotine-style cutter, but it will damage the cigar, and dampen the experience. This is not recommended, because it can leave nasty cuts on your cigars and cause pieces of tobacco to break off while smoking. 

Cigars are a rich, rewarding experience. If you want to enjoy them to their fullest, you really should take the time and care necessary to enhance your experience. Slow down, enjoy the ritual, and you will be rewarded. 

Shop LM Cigars’ Cigar Cutters

If you’re looking for a cigar cutter, or just want to learn more about smoking cigars, LM Cigars has everything you need. Our selection of cigar cutters is second to none. We carry an extensive line of high-quality but affordable cigar cutters that will make any occasion more special.

We understand that not every smoker has the same budget or level of experience with cigars, so we’ve made it easy for anyone to find the best cigar cutter for them.

Whether you’re trying out the hobby for the first time or are an experienced aficionado who needs something, LM Cigars has you covered.

Premium Cigars: How Can You Tell If a Cigar is High Quality?

Premium Cigars

At LM Cigars, we’re often asked that question. The first thing a new buyer needs to know is – there is no single indicator that tells you a cigar is high quality. The word “premium” is used to describe the top of the line. Premium Cigars are high-quality cigars that you’d be proud to smoke on any occasion or give as a gift. You’ll need to consider a number of factors.

When you’re looking to find the best and most high-quality premium cigars, you need to know what signs to look for.

What is a premium cigar?

So you’ve heard of premium cigars, but you’re not sure what they are. Premium cigars are made with high-quality tobacco that’s been expertly rolled and cured.

A premium cigar is a cigar that is made from the best quality tobacco. A premium cigar should be aged for a minimum of 2 years. At its most basic level, this means that if you see any machine parts on the production line or mass-production methods being used then it’s not going to be considered premium—it must be hand-rolled and made with great care in small batches with traditional methods.

The result? A cigar that has a smooth taste and a slow burn—and lasts for about an hour or more. Because premium cigars are made with such care and attention, you can tell if one is high quality by looking at its construction.

Features of Premium Cigars

Even if you’re new to cigars, you’ll notice the difference in taste and aroma, as well as the burn, draw, and flavor. The strength, smoothness, and consistency of the smoke are also important factors when determining quality.

As you can see, there are a lot of different things to look for when choosing a premium cigar. Some of these things are easier to judge than others. The label and band will give you some information about the brand and its quality, but they don’t tell you much about how good or bad the cigar will be.

To determine if a cigar is of high quality, you need to focus on the wrapper. A good wrapper should be smooth, oily and free of veins. The cigar should feel firm but not hard. If it’s too soft or too hard, that indicates issues with the manufacturing process. Finally, inspect the aroma of your LM purchase—a good cigar will have a pleasant and inviting aroma that doesn’t overwhelm or overpower other scents in close proximity.

If all else fails and you can’t tell whether or not a particular cigar is high quality by looking at it or smelling it directly, try doing some research on the cigar brand itself or the manufacturer of that particular cigar.Benefits of Premium Cigars

Smoking high-end cigars offers many benefits. First, You’ll have a much better smoking experience with a premium cigar than with one that’s mass-produced. The expertise and attention to detail that premium cigar makers employ leads to a more pleasurable smoking experience overall—and it’s why we recommend spending an extra dollar or two per stick when you’re buying premium cigars!

The benefits of a high-quality cigar are:

  • A perfect draw. This means that you will get a good amount of smoke, but not so much that it burns your throat, or too little where not enough smoke comes through to enjoy.
  • Refined taste profile. It should never taste harsh, the taste should be complex and smooth to perfection. Top quality construction from cutting the cap of the cigar, to taking the last puff before finishing the cigar, the construction of the entire cigar should be flawless. An even burn, the ash holds together well, and the cigar itself shows the hand rolled craftsmanship it intended to be as a work of art.Furthermore, premium cigar brands are known for their luxury attributes —the way that the filler and binder leaves are formed into a cigar shape is different from lower-quality cigars. This means that you get more consistent results from smoking these premium cigars: if one tastes great one day, it will generally taste great every other time as well! In addition to this consistency in quality, they also come in higher quality packaging than lower end cigars (such as wooden boxes) which makes them look even more appealing on display at home or in public locations like hotels or clubs where you can share them with friends while having fun conversations over drinks or food too!

Shop Premium Cigars at LM Cigars

Cigars are a premium product and they should be treated as such. If you’re looking for an online cigar store that offers a wide range of premium cigars and accessories, look no further than LM Cigars. We offer a large selection of brands and sizes to suit every smoker’s tastes.

When you buy premium cigars from LM Cigars, you know that they’re going to be high-quality. We stand by every cigar we sell because we know how much effort goes into making them. Every premium cigar on our site is hand rolled with only the finest tobacco leaves and made using traditional techniques passed down through generations of cigar makers. So next time you want a great smoke, remember that there’s no better place than LM Cigars to find your perfect match!

Best Cigar Lighter Guide: How To Find The Best Cigar Lighter

How To Find The Best Cigar Lighter

A cigar lighter is a tool that every cigar enthusiast should own. There are many different types of lighters, each with its own unique properties and styles. Some are designed specifically for lighting cigars such as Colibri , jet flames, premium butane lighters, and matches while others are designed to provide general-purpose usage such as flints/flint strikers. The best cigar lighters will have a high-quality build construction which will allow them to last longer than other types of lighters so they can be used more often without breaking down too quickly.

What kind of lighter should be used for cigars?

How do you know what kind of lighter to use?

There are several different types of lighters that can be used as cigar lighters. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to know what each type can offer you before making a purchase. It’s also important to know what kind of cigars you’re going to be smoking before making a choice.

How To Find The Best Cigar Lighter

If you want to find the best cigar lighter, there is a lot to consider, but we can help. We’ve researched hundreds of different cigar lighters and narrowed it down to the top ten best options for 2022.

While most lighters are designed for other purposes, a cigar-specific lighter has many features that make it easier to enjoy smoking your stogie. These lighters have fuel tanks large enough for several hours of smoking without refilling, and multiple jets that allow you to light your cigar anywhere along its length. Some even feature built-in  cutters!

First things first: what is the best cigar lighter? As we mentioned above, it should be designed specifically for lighting cigars. The problem with many standard cigarette lighters is that they are too weak to light up a cigar without spending several minutes trying to get it lit, and use lighter fluid instead of premium butane that could alter the taste and smell of your cigar. The best cigar lighter should be able to do this quickly and easily so that you can enjoy your smoke without any hassle or frustration!

Second: how do I find the best cigar lighter? This question has two parts: how much money should I spend on one (the price range) and what features does it need? We will tackle both questions below!

When you’re looking to buy a cigar lighter, there are a number of factors you’ll want to consider. Some of the most important ones include:

  • Size.
    This is extremely important—you don’t want your lighter to be too big or too small for your needs. If it’s too large and bulky, it’ll be hard to carry around with you when traveling; if it’s too small, then it might not be able to handle all of your lighting needs without running out of fuel quickly (and hopefully not when you need it most!)
  • Fuel capacity.
    Does it have a large fuel tank? Are they refillable? These things should all factor into whether or not this feature is right for you and your lifestyle.
  • Soft Flame or Torch Flame/windproof technology.
    These two go together. Cigar lighters usually have different types of flame options, If possible, try out some different sizes at home before making any decisions about which type will work best for each occasion; having more than one kind helps ensure maximum versatility since one size won’t work well everywhere all the time). 

The best cigar lighters are designed specifically for lighting cigars.

Are you a cigar aficionado looking for the best cigar lighter to get your cigars smoking just right?

Shop LM Cigars’ Cigar Lighters

If you’re looking for the best cigar lighters, look no further than LM Cigars. We’ve been in business since 1876 and have always strived to be the most trusted source for all of your cigar needs, including cigar lighters.

We carry a wide selection of high-quality lighters at all different price points so that there’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a unique gift or just want the best deal possible on one of our top picks for the year.

If you’re looking to buy the best cigar lighters, check out our selection of cigar lighters. We offer a wide variety that is sure to fit your needs and preferences. Our lighters come in different sizes, shapes and styles which makes it easy for you to find what you need at an affordable price!

Padron 2000 Natural

Padron 2000 Natural Review

Padron is the most iconic Nicaraguan-based cigar manufacturer available on the consumer market. Hundreds of thousands of Padron cigars are sold annually based on the merit of the Padron family name alone. Padron does not even utilize dedicated sales representatives because of the success of their brands. The cigars literally sell themselves. Everything Padron makes is carefully crafted and masterfully blended, causing even the regular production line cigars, such as the Padron Series or the Damaso, to be as highly praised and successful as their super-premium cigars. For this reason, if you want to get anyone a good cigar, regardless of their experience level or palate, you get them, Padron.

The Padron Series is one of the most widely distributed Padron cigar brands, coming in a huge variety of vitolas. The Padron 2000 is a 5×50 parejo robusto with a Nicaraguan puro blend. The cigar is made with aged, long-filler tobaccos in the Padron factory, Piloto Cigars Inc., located in Esteli, Nicaragua. Padron’s Nicaragua factory is one of the oldest and most illustrious in Esteli, literally breaking ground in 1970. Because of this, Padron’s tobaccos represent the most sophisticated of Nicaraguan blends.

Upon examination, the wrapper is immaculate and bears a rather ashen brown appearance akin to mahogany. The bouquet of the cigar reminds one of bourbon barrel oak as well as nutmeg and ginger. The 2000 begins strongly, bearing tasting notes of earthy sweetness, such as dark chocolate and molasses, with sharp injections of robust flavor, such as black pepper or mole sauce, as it burns down towards the middle of the cigar. The blend grows as it nears the nub, incorporating notes of cardamom, anise, and turmeric into the earthy sweetness. This is one of the best Nicaraguan cigars commercially available. $175.50 for a box of 25 is an unbeatable value and makes the cigar a worthwhile addition to the cigar aficionados collection.

Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 Candela

Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 Candela Cigar

         The Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 is one of the most popular of the Arturo Fuente Cigar Co.’s Gran Reserva family of cigars. Blended in honor of Carlos Fuente, Sr.’s 85th birthday, the cigars possess aged long-filler tobaccos and superior construction. Additionally, the cigars come in a wide variety of wrappers, such as natural Cameroon, Rosado Sun Grown, broadleaf Maduro, and candela. The 8-5-8 possesses an unusual vitola at 6×47, but that ring gauge was quite common for old Tampa vitolas, such as a Soberano (5.75×47) or a corona de Cuba (6.5×47).

The 8-5-8 candela features the iconic green, extra claro wrapper associated with the olden days of the cigar industry and the Oliva Tobacco Co. Candela is created by partially curing or freezing raw tobacco leaves and then smoke curing them to seal the chlorophyll inside the leaf. The result of the process is a magnificent green wrapper with a mild flavor and a fragrant, floral aroma. The sweet, mild flavor of the candela wrapper is balanced by the aged Dominican binder and filler tobaccos, creating a perfectly blended cigar.

The 8-5-8 candela is the perfect cigar for a novice smoker or a long-time smoker. For novice smokers, it represents a perfectly constructed cigar with complex tasting notes and a mild wrapper. For long-time smokers, it represents a throwback to the old days of the cigar industry when green cigars were a common sight. The box of 25 is well worth the price point of $134.85. The cigar burns evenly, even in the case of a haphazard lighting job. The smoking experience lasts for about an hour and yields pleasant-tasting notes of tea, coriander, honey, and hazelnuts. The consistency of the smoke and flavor across multiple cigars is truly remarkable.

Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva Corona Imperial

arturo fuente gran reserva corona imperial blog

The Arturo Fuente Corona Imperial is a masterpiece and a perfect representation of what you can do with aged tobacco. Although the cigar is mild, you will experience flavors that leave you satisfied and fulfilled. The thin ring gauge of the cigar extenuates the genuine Connecticut Shade Wrapper grown in the loamy, glacial soil of the Unites States River Valley. Inside you can expect nothing less than finely and generously aged Dominican Tobaccos from Chateau de la Fuente. Packaged in boxes of 25 cigars, the Corona Imperial will surely catch your eye wearing the iconic green foot ribbon which the Fuente family pioneered decades ago. 

After giving the cigar a guillotine cut, the cold draw yields hints of peanuts and hay, with a slightly sweet finish. The 46 diameter of the cigar makes for easy lighting in windy conditions. The draw is phenomenal and can be best described as flawless. The smoke output is generous. Overall, the taste gives off hay, peanut, white pepper, and lemongrass. I was surprised to find citrus notes, which is not a flavor I find in many mild cigars. I found the flavor to stay the same except for the white pepper becoming more pronounced at the end. The average burn time between three cigars was around 1 hour and 5 minutes. I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar; the size, flavor, and intensity made a great unison for me. The ring gauge is a selling point for this cigar without a doubt. A smaller diameter like this is easy to light on a boat or the golf course. The flavor pairs perfectly with the salty air or freshly cut grass. Whether mild cigars are an occasional or regular thing for you, I highly recommend picking up a box of these. With a price point of just under $150, a long burn time, and unrivaled quality I think it is a no-brainer.

Brick House Double Connecticut Short Torpedo

brick house double connecticut short torpedo blog

There is no better way to celebrate the Fourth of July than smoking some American tobacco. The Brick House Double Connecticut Short Torpedo is the perfect pairing for any U.S.-based holiday. With a genuine Connecticut Shade wrapper, a real Connecticut Broadleaf binder, and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos; this cigar steals the show! The cigar wears the traditional Brick House band, complimented by a foot band that looks like the American flag. I do not typically prefer torpedo-shaped cigars, but this one is rather fun. The torpedo is rather subtle and makes a smooth transition into the rest of the cigar. After cutting, the cold draw gives off notes of hay and peanuts. After lighting the cigar, I get a well-balanced, light to medium-bodied flavor. Notes of peanut butter, grass, bread, hay, citrus, and a slight hint of white pepper show themselves. Overall, there is no bite or overly intense components. I will say that the smoke is thick and fulfilling, making this cigar just a notch above mild on the intensity scale. 

Between three samples there were no variances in flavor, construction, or smoke time. Each one burned for about 50-55 minutes. With the cost of labor in the United States and how labor-intensive it is to grow tobacco, I’m not sure how the guys at J.C. Newman can price this cigar so affordably! For under $7 a cigar and with two Connecticut components, this cigar is a steal. With labor costs in the United States being so high, usually the tobacco and cigars are pricy too.  It is the perfect price point for a daily, long-filler, premium cigar. Packaged in boxes of 25, with a price tag of under $160 this one will surely help you celebrate Independence Day properly!

Rocky Patel The Edge Connecticut Robusto

RP The Edhe Connecticut Toro

Rocky Patel is a brand that persists in the hearts and minds of cigar consumers through sheer force of will. While other fledgling brands faltered and came to an abrupt demise towards the end of the 1990’s cigar boom, Rocky Patel’s brand sustained itself through the large volume of cigar production and advertisements. Rocky Patel’s brand greatly benefitted from the opening of cigar lounges, such as BURN. Now, Rocky is counted among the legends of the cigar industry. The Rocky Patel portfolio features numerous cigar brands from Nicaragua and Honduras, but one of the most successful Rocky Patel brands is The Edge. Warning its consumers to beware of imitations on the cigar band, The Edge marks itself as an exquisite smoke and one of the finest regular production cigars on the market.

The Edge Connecticut Robusto is a 5.5”x50 Parejo Robusto-sized cigar produced by Rocky Patel El Paraiso in Honduras. The cigar features an immaculate Connecticut shade wrapper. The box of twenty showed much consistency in terms of wrapper color and quality. The binder and filler tobaccos are Honduran. The cigar lit evenly and smoothly with slight canoeing towards the second third of the cigar. This cigar is notable for the long ash structure it maintains. The cigar tasting notes include toasted wheat, honey, cinnamon, cedar, and a slight aftertaste of white pepper. The cigar flavor was consistent and pleasing throughout the smoking duration of an hour and fifteen minutes. The cigar’s profile is mild to medium and is approachable for the smoking novice and the cigar aficionado. Rocky Patel’s website suggests this cigar as the perfect golf course cigar. Similarly, this cigar is recommended for its quality and value. At $129.60 for a box of twenty, Rocky’s value cannot be beaten. It is because of this quality and value that Rocky Patel has persisted in the cigar industry.

Perdomo Lot 23 Connecticut Toro

Hand holding a lightly ashed Perdomo Lot 23 Connecticut Toro cigar

Perdomo traces the roots of its company history to the work of Silvio Perdomo in Cuba. In 1992, Nicholas Perdomo, Jr. revitalized his family’s cigarmaking legacy by starting Tabacalera Perdomo out of his home in Miami, Florida. The company now boasts several popular brands, such as the Estate Seleccion, the 10th Anniversary Blend, and Lot 23.

         Lot 23 is one of Nicaragua’s best-selling premium value cigar brands and comes in three wrapper varieties (Connecticut, Sungrown, and Maduro). Beginning in 2000, Lot 23 cigars are made from carefully cultivated Nicaraguan tobaccos on Perdomo farmland. The Lot 23 Connecticut Toro is remarkable for its exquisite Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper as well as its value at $147.90 for a box of 24.

         The Lot 23 Connecticut Toro is a 6×50 parejo cigar with an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper and Cuban-seed Nicaraguan binder and filler. The cigar lit evenly but suffered from slight canoeing throughout the first two-thirds of the cigar. However, the taste of the cigar was quite consistent with tasting notes of cedar, grasses, toasted wheat, baking spices, white pepper, and honey. The Nicaraguan binder and filler provided the cigar with some bite to cut through the rich, creamy shade wrapper. Overall, the cigar was pleasant to smoke and represents a good showcase of the Perdomo brand. Although Perdomo is a fledgling member of the American cigar industry, its brand history, and cigar portfolio mark it as a veteran in terms of sophistication and quality. The Lot 23 cigar brand is excellent flavor and value. If you are interested in a good premium value cigar from Nicaragua, look into the Perdomo Lot 23.

Montesino Sampler

Hand holding a Montesino cigar with light ash at the end

Montesino is one of the oldest, continuously made Arturo Fuente cigar brands. The brand peaked in the early 1990’s and has struggled to maintain its popularity in recent years. Similar to the Casa Cuba cigar brand by Arturo Fuente, Montesino lacks the name recognition. As such, Montesino is criminally underrated and underappreciated. This cigar brand represents fantastic value and flavor. Cigar plume is another factor to consider with Montesino. Many Montesino cigars sit in inventory, waiting to be smoked by someone with a discerning palate. Montesino is a lady-in-waiting, then, and the exquisite plume on the wrapper is Montesino’s dowry to the cigar afficionado. The natural wrapper on these Montesino cigars was a Connecticut Shade, crystallized with plume.            

The Montesino Sampler is a sampler box of six Montesino cigars with the natural, Connecticut Shade wrapper. The six sizes you get are Diplomatico (5.5” x 42), No. 2 (6.25” x 44), Robusto (5” x 50), No. 1 (6.8” x 43), Toro (6” x 50), and Gran Corona (6.75” x 48). Handmade at Tabacalera A. Fuente is the Dominican Republic, the binder and filler of these cigars are Dominican tobaccos. The cigar blend is an elegant, mild blend of tobaccos with tasting notes of cedar, grasses, nuts, baking spices, toasted wheat, and brown sugar. With the smaller ring gauges, such as the Diplomatico or the No. 1, you taste more of the phenomenal Connecticut Shade wrapper. The three cigars smoked for this review were the Diplomatico, the No. 1, and the Robusto. The smoking duration for these cigars ranged from forty-five minutes to an hour and a half. The cigars lit well and evenly. The quality of the cigar’s flavor was consistent and pleasant. throughout the smoke. At $26.95 for six cigars, the Montesino sampler is great value and even greater gift for the cigar smokers in your life.