Gotta agree with this statement... It makes it easier to distinguish the different flavors of the cigar and where they are coming from."wrapper blast"...
the first few puffs, you get the flavor of the wrapper, almost exclusively..
(and it looks cool)....
Closed foot: what's the point?
- Thread starter ZippoGeek
- Start date
Joe and all,
It was bound to happen eventually... :>
One of the things about handmade cigars that has kept me so engrossed with them for the last three decades is there is very little that is absolutely right or wrong. So many interesting variables such as the tobacco to the different construction methodology to the personal likes and dislikes of each individual smoker. Plus I am really intrigues by the business and marketing aspects also and a hundred other details...
Just to be clear on my opinion since there is really two different conversations occurring in this thread:
Closed Foot: this is where the wrapper is left long at the foot and then slightly twisted and crush down back on to its face. IMO, this is aesthetic only.
Shaggy Foot: this is where the wrapper is trimmed back, typically 1/2", but can be longer, leaving at the foot the bindered bunch of filler exposed. Again IMO, this is also typically done for aesthetic reasons also, however like others have posted it does have an impact on the flavor profile upon the initial lighting and smoking of the cigar.
BR,
STS
Cigary43
Just Another Ashhole
Last thoughts about this after reading everyones comments.....nobody can legislate what another should taste or get from cigars regardless if they are twisted into a pretzel or rolled on the thighs of virgins or prostitutes....this is about as individual a practice as there is. While we may have comparable opinions on taste it's about what we experience as a singular cigar smoker. I have to give a wry smile when others tend to mandate that a certain way to light a cigar....a way to cut it...a way to smoke it slowly/quick....a certain brand etc. ad nauseum we can't give certain declarations of what is best or what we as a hobbyist need to do. Opinions are great which gives us information....that's all. While I myself try to give as much info as I can it is just that...opinion.
Btw, I never really considered the "wrapper blast" theory in regards to the closed foot. Typically a brand/blend will all be either cut or closed so there real is no way for me to compare, so I am going to try this out next week in Nica by rolling up some toros with the identical liga with the only difference being a cut foot vs a closed foot. That way I can test this out for myself in a few weeks once the cigars have rested.
STS
STS
Looking forward to the results
I do the same; ever since Mike at Allegheny Smokeworks told us about lighting closed foot cigars this way. I enjoy closed foots because they are different, though I would like to see more brands doing a closed foot cigar.
THEMISCHMAN
SGT Hulka
Regardless if it affects taste or anything, I think a closed foot cigars looks really good.
1) fact: Nica rustica is actually named after the scientific name for the strain of tobacco they originally wanted to use to blend the cigar.
2) 85% sure: The story goes (if I remember correctly) that someone at de was playing with nica rustica trying to make a cigar predominantly out of this somewhat rare wilder version of tobacco. Unfortunately it's difficult to grow in large quantities so little if any actual nica rustica made it into the final blend.
I tend to snap off or cut the closed foot, but other than the Nica Rustica I cant think of any I've had recently.