You’ve picked the perfect cigar and stored it in your humidor. After a long week at the office or a day on the golf course, it’s time to enjoy that cigar.
Carrying a cutter isn’t always the most practical. Luckily, there is another option — a Cigar Punch.
What is a Cigar Punch Cutter?
The cigar punch is a cylindrical blade gently removing the center of a cigar’s cap, leaving its edges intact. Also called a “bullet cut” for its shape that resembles a bullet hole, this method helps produce a tight draw enhancing its flavor.
The travel-friendly cigar punch is compact and easy to use. It fits in a briefcase, a golf bag, or a pocket. A cigar punch features a retractable blade that creates a circular hole in the head of your cigar. Contrary to the cigar cutter — any aficionado can avoid a severed, angular cut and enjoy fewer loose bits of tobacco and more flavor.
Choosing the Perfect Punch Cutter
It’s essential to match the cigar punch to the size of the cigar, so it doesn’t hurt to have a collection of punch cutters complementing your favorite cigars.
How to Use a Cigar Punch
A punch cutter is easy to use, but getting the punch right the first time is essential. These tools are definitely for the more skilled cigar lover. Check out these steps to get started.
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- Open the punch cutter to reveal the blade. Extend or twist the blade out if it’s a retractable model. Or, if your punch has a cover, remove it.
- Center the blade over the middle of the cap on your cigar.
- Hold the blade firmly and gently twist the cutter into the cap of your cigar. Twist in a back-and-forth motion. Do not punch or push the blade into the cap with forceful insertion or crack the cap on your cigar. Apply slight pressure, but remember the wrapper leaf is thin.
- Gently pull the punch cutter out and remove it from the cap. You should observe a clean, precise aperture on the cap of your cigar.
- Discard the remnants of the wrapper from your cutter. Most punch cutters are designed to expel any wrapper remnants from the blade when you replace the cap or retract the blade.
- Fire up your cigar!
Using a cigar punch to get your cigar started only takes a few minutes. We recommend using this cutter on cigars with a ring gauge of 60 or above. Using it on torpedo cigars is no problem since they can uphold punches. This style of cigar cutter must be done the first time appropriately. Cigar aficionados are most likely to use this tool due to their experience compared to new smokers.
Shop Cigar Punches and More at Vitola
Finding a cigar punch cutter can be overwhelming, with options at every price point. Luckily the team at Vitola Fine Cigars is ready to help you select the perfect punch cutter for you. Experiment and find out which size of cigar punch you like best.
If you have questions about cigar cutters, storage, or premium cigar brands, the team at Vitola Fine Cigars is happy and ready to help. Visit us online or in-store at one of our many Alabama locations.